Van Til's Apologetic: Readings and Analysis (Hardcover)

by Greg L. Bahnsen (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 764 pages
• Publisher: P & R Publishing (July 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0875520987
• ISBN-13: 978-0875520988
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #353,317 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The BEST book on Van Til's thought!, March 8, 1999

By A Customer

This book cannot be ignored by the Christian Defender. I was skeptical and had questions about Van Til's Transcendental Argument, but this book cleared it all up. In fact, it changed my apologetical methodology. I am no longer evidential in my approach, but presuppositional! Unfortunately, this method is deviant amongst the Christian circle. Thank God, that it is growing. The evidential Christian has much to answer to when reading this book!

As a seeker of the faith, I often read books that grasp the Aquinas type of theology. That is, books that support the Cosmological, Teleological, and Ontological argument for the existence of God. But in so using these arguments, one must be neutral in their approach. Is it indeed MORAL to be neutral in your apologetical approach? Read the book? Is the existence of God probable in which so many evidential apologist say it is? Read the book. Is Van Til's approach fideistic? Read the book. Is Natural Theology Biblical? Read the book.

Christian, if you are serious about apologetics, then you have to get this book! It's worth every penny.

Dr. Bahnsen is the best defender and debater on this apologetic. I recommend that you listen to his debate with Dr. Gordon Stein.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is definitely Greg Bahnsen's most important book!, October 11, 1998

By A Customer

Greg Bahnsen's final book is a combination of select readings from many different loci of Cornelius Van Til's writings and a running commentary on those texts by Bahnsen. The Van Til readings are all organized topically and they are systematically explained by Bahnsen. Greg Bahnsen offers some insightful comments on both interpreting and applying Van Til's unique brand of apologetics to contemporary society. Fans of Van Til will especially appreciate Bahnsen's interaction with Van Til's many critics. Both those who oppose presuppositionalism and those who advocate it will be forced to reckon with Bahnsen's authoritative presentation of that school of thought. Anyone who is serious about apologetics in general, and presuppositionalism in particular, must have this book! It is an invaluable resource for all would-be Christian apologists.

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hands Down the Best Assessment of Van Til's apologetics, April 29, 2000

By	T. B. Vick "Learn 2 Discern" (The Lone Star State) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Wow! This book is a monster (764 pages). While I am not a proponent of the Presuppositional method, I love to research apologetic methodology. This is by far the best assessment of Van Til's method available. Bahnsen leaves no stone unturned. The book covers what Van Til wrote (Bahnsen inserts very long quotes from Van Til's work) and then assesses what Van Til was trying to communicate. Bahnsen in VERY thorough and he dives into Van Til's epistemology as it pertains to belief, unbelief and the actual presentation of the Gospel via the Presuppositional method. The chapter titles are :

1. An Introduction to Van Til's Apologetic. This chapter includes a personal testimony of Van Til.

2. The Task of Apologetics. This chapter encompasses the need for apologetics and how it actual relates to evangelism as well as philosophy.

3. A simple Summary and Illustration. Bahnsen describes the conflict between final authorities, worldviews, and the presuppositions of the unbeliever.

4. The Epistemological Side of Apologetics. Deals with the epistemology of Van Til and his method

5. The apologetical Side of Epistemology. Gives a defense of the presuppositional epistemological method

6. The Psychological Complexities of Unbelief.

7. The presuppositional Apologetical Argument.

8. Comparisons and Criticisms of Apologetical Methodology.

9. Conclusion/Summary.

Even if you do not hold to the Van Tillian method, this book is still a great text to read to gain a better understanding of what Van Til taught and held to (presuppositionalism). We should all be grateful to Bahnsen for providing us with this wonderful work as his last (he died shortly after finishing the manuscript).