Cornelius Van Til (1895-1987) was a Christian apologist and theologian. He was born in the Netherlands and moved to America as a child. Van Til was influenced by Abraham Kuyper, Herman Bavinck, and John Calvin. He taught at Princeton Theological Seminary for a short time but left along with J. Gresham Machen and others after it took a liberal turn. Afterward Machen convinced Van Til to teach apologetics at the new Westminster Theological Seminary. Van Til started there in 1929 and stayed there for several decades.
Van Til became unsatisfied with the traditional methods of apologetics, the classical and evidentialist approach. Van Til believed the traditional methods erroneously assumed that there was a neutral ground where the believer and the unbeliever could meet and reason from there. He believed that if you assumed from the start that intelligibility and knowledge were possible apart form the triune God you had already lost the argument.
Cornelius Van Til developed his own apologetic method which became known as presuppositional apologetics. A presupposition is an assumption or basic belief that a person holds from the start through which he interprets everything else. Van Til believed that an unbeliever would interpret evidences and proofs through his basic presupposition of unbelief and deny the Christian God. The unbeliever suppresses the truth about God because of his sin and rationalizes away the evidences and proofs.
Van Til's apologetic used the transcendental argument or indirect reasoning. He believed that intelligibility and meaning are only possible if we presuppose the Bible as true. The Christian worldview is the only worldview that makes sense of your world. Van Til believed that the unbeliever had to borrow from the Christian worldview in order to live his life consistently. The unbelievers worldview will break down because it cannot account for intelligibility, meaning, or the preconditions for life. Van Til's apologetic used the transcendental argument in order to show the contradictions, inconsistencies, and arbitrariness of the unbelievers worldview. He also showed that the Christian worldview was consistent and was necessary for intelligibility and purpose.
Cornelius Van Til's presuppositional apologetics flowed from his Reformed theology. He sought to develop an apologetic that was truly Biblical and truly Reformed. He sought to honor Christ as Lord throughout his entire apologetic method. There is no neutral ground, you are either with Christ or you are against him. Van Til sought to prove the existence of the Christian God not just provide evidence that made the existence of God probable. Notable students of Van Til's
who continued to use his apologetic method include Greg Bahnsen and John Frame.
Monday, December 26, 2016
Monday, December 19, 2016
Jeremiah 29:11 (In Context)
(Jeremiah 29:11) "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." (ESV)
Jeremiah 29:11 is a favorite verse for many evangelicals who often quote it. Unfortunately it is usually quoted out of context. We must always look at a verse as part of a passage, and the passage as part of a book. We must take into consideration what comes before the verse and what comes after it. We should also look at the background of the passage and to whom it was written.
The historical background of this passage is the Babylonian exile of the Israelites (Judah). They were sent into exile because of their disobedience and idolatry.
In Jeremiah 29:5-7 God tells the Israelites to build houses, have families, seek the welfare of the city, and to pray to the LORD for the city. They are going to be there in Babylon for a long time. In Jeremiah 29:8-9 God tells them not to listen to the false prophets who are telling them they will return to the land shortly. In Jeremiah 29:10 they are told that after seventy years they will return to their land.
Then comes Jeremiah 29:11, the verse that is so often quoted.
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." (ESV)
In Jeremiah 29:11, God's plan for the exiles is for their welfare or peace (the Hebrew word shalom) and not for evil. They will have a future and a hope in their homeland.
In Jeremiah 29:12-14, God says he will hear their prayers and they will find God when they seek him with all their heart. The LORD will restore them and bring them back to the land after 70 years.
As we can see Jeremiah 29:11 applied to the Israelites (Judah) who were exiled to Babylon. It applied to a certain people in a certain historical circumstance. We must remember that this verse does not apply to everyone in every situation.
Jeremiah 29:11 is a favorite verse for many evangelicals who often quote it. Unfortunately it is usually quoted out of context. We must always look at a verse as part of a passage, and the passage as part of a book. We must take into consideration what comes before the verse and what comes after it. We should also look at the background of the passage and to whom it was written.
The historical background of this passage is the Babylonian exile of the Israelites (Judah). They were sent into exile because of their disobedience and idolatry.
In Jeremiah 29:5-7 God tells the Israelites to build houses, have families, seek the welfare of the city, and to pray to the LORD for the city. They are going to be there in Babylon for a long time. In Jeremiah 29:8-9 God tells them not to listen to the false prophets who are telling them they will return to the land shortly. In Jeremiah 29:10 they are told that after seventy years they will return to their land.
Then comes Jeremiah 29:11, the verse that is so often quoted.
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." (ESV)
In Jeremiah 29:11, God's plan for the exiles is for their welfare or peace (the Hebrew word shalom) and not for evil. They will have a future and a hope in their homeland.
In Jeremiah 29:12-14, God says he will hear their prayers and they will find God when they seek him with all their heart. The LORD will restore them and bring them back to the land after 70 years.
As we can see Jeremiah 29:11 applied to the Israelites (Judah) who were exiled to Babylon. It applied to a certain people in a certain historical circumstance. We must remember that this verse does not apply to everyone in every situation.
Monday, December 12, 2016
The Disappearance Of Cultural Christianity
It is helpful to distinguish between cultural Christianity and convictional Christianity. Cultural Christians are those who are nominal (in name only) Christians. They identify with Christianity because of the social benefit, social status, or because it is the tradition. On the other hand convictional Christians are those who are true Christians. They follow Christ and hold orthodox beliefs.
Most of American history has been marked by a Christian consensus. Even those who where not true Christians still went along with basic Christian teaching and morality. But the Christian consensus has disappeared in recent times as society has been overtaken by secularism. Christian beliefs no longer dominate our culture after the rise of secularism.
In the secular city things such as homosexuality and transgenderism have become normal. The media, education, and entertainment industry no longer honor Christianity and are actually hostile to it. Since there is no longer a social benefit for identifying as a Christian, we are seeing the disappearance of cultural Christianity. For some millennials there is now no tradition of Christianity.
The disappearance of cultural Christianity means that fewer of those around us will hold the same values as us. But the disappearance of cultural Christianity is not all bad. We will begin to see who the real Christians are and who the nominal Christians are. When the culture turns against or becomes hostile to Christianity, those who are not the real deal will not stick around. We will see a purifying of the church and it will become stronger.
In reality America never was as Christian as some of us would like to believe. It never really was a Christian nation because there is no such thing. God's people is the church which is comprised of people from all nations.
Most of American history has been marked by a Christian consensus. Even those who where not true Christians still went along with basic Christian teaching and morality. But the Christian consensus has disappeared in recent times as society has been overtaken by secularism. Christian beliefs no longer dominate our culture after the rise of secularism.
In the secular city things such as homosexuality and transgenderism have become normal. The media, education, and entertainment industry no longer honor Christianity and are actually hostile to it. Since there is no longer a social benefit for identifying as a Christian, we are seeing the disappearance of cultural Christianity. For some millennials there is now no tradition of Christianity.
The disappearance of cultural Christianity means that fewer of those around us will hold the same values as us. But the disappearance of cultural Christianity is not all bad. We will begin to see who the real Christians are and who the nominal Christians are. When the culture turns against or becomes hostile to Christianity, those who are not the real deal will not stick around. We will see a purifying of the church and it will become stronger.
In reality America never was as Christian as some of us would like to believe. It never really was a Christian nation because there is no such thing. God's people is the church which is comprised of people from all nations.
Monday, October 31, 2016
Trump VS Clinton
The two major parties have given us Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. In other words pick your poison. This is indeed an historic election, that is an historically bad election. This may be the worst choice in American history.
Apologists for Trump and Clinton have twisted themselves into pretzels trying to defend these two. We must concede that it is very difficult to defend the indefensible. Those defending Trump and Clinton have greatly damaged their credibility.
Republicans once decried the immorality of Bill Clinton. Now they embrace a man with the same morals as Bill Clinton. This is total hypocrisy. Not to be outdone the Democrats have employed the same total hypocrisy in reverse.
Trump has no real political philosophy. On the issues he has been all over the place, basically making it up as he has gone along. Trump is not a conservative, even supporters like Rush Limbaugh admit this. Trump is basically a populist telling people what they want to hear. On the other hand Hillary Clinton is a liberal or progressive who is wrong on almost every issue. Her policy positions are indeed frightening. Trump's association with Breitbart and the Alt Right is troubling. Hillary's association with the Left and all it's various groups is also very troubling.
Donald Trump is an arrogant egomaniac who is unqualified to be president. Hillary Clinton is untrustworthy, corrupt, and involved in scandal after scandal. She too is unfit to be president. In normal, sane times both of these candidates would be disqualified from consideration as president. But we do not live in normal, sane times.
In the media FOX News promotes Donald Trump. In fact Sean Hannity and Lou Dobbs have been part of the Trump campaign since the primaries. The mainstream media supports Hillary Clinton and has an extreme bias against Donald Trump. Many of them have been part of the Clinton campaign all along. The media has been shameful during this presidential campaign.
I cannot in good conscience vote for either one of these candidates. Many make the lesser of two evils argument. But if you vote for the lesser of two evils you are still voting for evil. It is said that a vote for a third party or independent is a wasted vote. In reality those voting for unworthy candidates like Clinton and Trump are wasting their vote.
Finally those expecting to be saved by a politician are going to be disappointed. No politician can save you and placing your hope in a man (or woman) is foolish. America's problems go much deeper than the political level.
Apologists for Trump and Clinton have twisted themselves into pretzels trying to defend these two. We must concede that it is very difficult to defend the indefensible. Those defending Trump and Clinton have greatly damaged their credibility.
Republicans once decried the immorality of Bill Clinton. Now they embrace a man with the same morals as Bill Clinton. This is total hypocrisy. Not to be outdone the Democrats have employed the same total hypocrisy in reverse.
Trump has no real political philosophy. On the issues he has been all over the place, basically making it up as he has gone along. Trump is not a conservative, even supporters like Rush Limbaugh admit this. Trump is basically a populist telling people what they want to hear. On the other hand Hillary Clinton is a liberal or progressive who is wrong on almost every issue. Her policy positions are indeed frightening. Trump's association with Breitbart and the Alt Right is troubling. Hillary's association with the Left and all it's various groups is also very troubling.
Donald Trump is an arrogant egomaniac who is unqualified to be president. Hillary Clinton is untrustworthy, corrupt, and involved in scandal after scandal. She too is unfit to be president. In normal, sane times both of these candidates would be disqualified from consideration as president. But we do not live in normal, sane times.
In the media FOX News promotes Donald Trump. In fact Sean Hannity and Lou Dobbs have been part of the Trump campaign since the primaries. The mainstream media supports Hillary Clinton and has an extreme bias against Donald Trump. Many of them have been part of the Clinton campaign all along. The media has been shameful during this presidential campaign.
I cannot in good conscience vote for either one of these candidates. Many make the lesser of two evils argument. But if you vote for the lesser of two evils you are still voting for evil. It is said that a vote for a third party or independent is a wasted vote. In reality those voting for unworthy candidates like Clinton and Trump are wasting their vote.
Finally those expecting to be saved by a politician are going to be disappointed. No politician can save you and placing your hope in a man (or woman) is foolish. America's problems go much deeper than the political level.
Monday, August 22, 2016
Love And The Ten Commandments
In modern America love is often defined by emotionalism and tolerance. It involves tolerating whatever anyone does including sinful acts. Of course love is most certainly never negative. It is love with no content, we do not know what love really is. The place to find the content for love is the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20). We may not think of the Ten Commandments in this way but they do actually show us real love.
If we love God we will have no other gods before him. We will have no other gods in his presence, of course all other gods are false. God is basically telling us to get those false gods out of my face. We must worship the one, true God. If we love God we will not make a carved image or false idol. God is spirit, he has no physical form. We must worship God in the proper way.
If we love God we will not take his name in vain. Taking his name in vain shows hatred of God. Taking his name in vain includes using his name for a false oath, in an empty or casual way, or as a curse word. What about observing the Sabbath Day? It is no longer the same under the New Covenant. Under the Old Covenant it was on Saturday. Christians observe the Lords' Day which is on Sunday because the resurrection was on Sunday. If we love God we will worship him on the Lord's Day.
A person with true love will honor his parents. He will obey them and show them the proper respect. He will also take care of them when they are in need. If you love your neighbor you will not murder him. This would include things like abortion and euthanasia. These things are hateful acts. In fact just hating someone violates the commandment prohibiting murder.
If you love your neighbor you will not commit adultery with his wife. Looking with lustful intent is also considered adultery. If you love your neighbor you will not steal from him. You will respect his property and possessions.
If you love your neighbor you will not bear false witness against him. Love is associated with the truth, lying shows hatred. If you love your neighbor you will not covet his things. In fact coveting often leads to murder, adultery, stealing, lying, and worshiping a false idol.
The Ten Commandments show us the true content of love. Sinful acts are never loving. True love worships and obeys the one, true God and desires what is right for ones neighbor. The ultimate goal of true love is always to glorify God.
If we love God we will have no other gods before him. We will have no other gods in his presence, of course all other gods are false. God is basically telling us to get those false gods out of my face. We must worship the one, true God. If we love God we will not make a carved image or false idol. God is spirit, he has no physical form. We must worship God in the proper way.
If we love God we will not take his name in vain. Taking his name in vain shows hatred of God. Taking his name in vain includes using his name for a false oath, in an empty or casual way, or as a curse word. What about observing the Sabbath Day? It is no longer the same under the New Covenant. Under the Old Covenant it was on Saturday. Christians observe the Lords' Day which is on Sunday because the resurrection was on Sunday. If we love God we will worship him on the Lord's Day.
A person with true love will honor his parents. He will obey them and show them the proper respect. He will also take care of them when they are in need. If you love your neighbor you will not murder him. This would include things like abortion and euthanasia. These things are hateful acts. In fact just hating someone violates the commandment prohibiting murder.
If you love your neighbor you will not commit adultery with his wife. Looking with lustful intent is also considered adultery. If you love your neighbor you will not steal from him. You will respect his property and possessions.
If you love your neighbor you will not bear false witness against him. Love is associated with the truth, lying shows hatred. If you love your neighbor you will not covet his things. In fact coveting often leads to murder, adultery, stealing, lying, and worshiping a false idol.
The Ten Commandments show us the true content of love. Sinful acts are never loving. True love worships and obeys the one, true God and desires what is right for ones neighbor. The ultimate goal of true love is always to glorify God.
Monday, August 8, 2016
To Die Is Gain
To die is gain? This sounds like a strange statement. But for the Christian to die actually is gain because he will go to heaven where there is no more sorrow or pain. To die is not gain for everyone though. Those apart from Christ will face God's wrath for eternity in hell.
(Philippians 1:21) "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." (ESV)
The Apostle Paul wrote these words in his letter to the Philippians. He probably wrote the letter from Rome while in prison around A.D. 62. Paul constantly faced persecution and death was always a possibility. Paul's ultimate concern was to honor Christ in life or death. He desired to depart and be with Christ but remaining here was more necessary to accomplish fruitful labor. For Paul to live is to serve Christ and death is gain because he will leave his sufferings and troubles to be with Christ. Paul lived several more years after writing this letter, dying around A.D. 67.
Many modern Christians foolishly cling to this world and life when we should long for heaven. We think we will lose something or lack something when go to heaven. Heaven will not lack anything and it will not be loss but gain. There will be no more troubles, suffering or pain. We will finally live life to the full. To be with Christ is far better. Christians should not fear death.
We must point out that death is not a good thing. We should not long to die, but we should long to go to heaven. Death is not normal but abnormal, it is not natural but unnatural. Death was not part of the original creation but entered the world because of sin. We are now under the sin curse. But Christ through his life, death, and resurrection has defeated sin and death.
Because of sin we all face the wrath of a holy God and are on the road to hell. Salvation is found in Christ alone, there is nothing we can do to earn it. You must believe that Jesus is the Christ or Messiah and the Son of the living God. You must repent of your sins and place your faith in Christ alone. Jesus is the only way to heaven.
(Philippians 1:21) "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." (ESV)
The Apostle Paul wrote these words in his letter to the Philippians. He probably wrote the letter from Rome while in prison around A.D. 62. Paul constantly faced persecution and death was always a possibility. Paul's ultimate concern was to honor Christ in life or death. He desired to depart and be with Christ but remaining here was more necessary to accomplish fruitful labor. For Paul to live is to serve Christ and death is gain because he will leave his sufferings and troubles to be with Christ. Paul lived several more years after writing this letter, dying around A.D. 67.
Many modern Christians foolishly cling to this world and life when we should long for heaven. We think we will lose something or lack something when go to heaven. Heaven will not lack anything and it will not be loss but gain. There will be no more troubles, suffering or pain. We will finally live life to the full. To be with Christ is far better. Christians should not fear death.
We must point out that death is not a good thing. We should not long to die, but we should long to go to heaven. Death is not normal but abnormal, it is not natural but unnatural. Death was not part of the original creation but entered the world because of sin. We are now under the sin curse. But Christ through his life, death, and resurrection has defeated sin and death.
Because of sin we all face the wrath of a holy God and are on the road to hell. Salvation is found in Christ alone, there is nothing we can do to earn it. You must believe that Jesus is the Christ or Messiah and the Son of the living God. You must repent of your sins and place your faith in Christ alone. Jesus is the only way to heaven.
Monday, July 25, 2016
Martin Luther Books
About Luther
Here I Stand: A Life Of Martin Luther By Roland Bainton
Martin Luther: A Guided Tour Of His Life And Thought By Stephen Nichols
Luther On The Christian Life By Carl Trueman
The Legacy Of Luther Edited By R.C. Sproul & Stephen Nichols
Collected Works
Martin Luther's Basic Theological Writings Edited By Timothy Lull
Martin Luther: Selections From His Writings Edited By John Dillenberger
By Luther
The Bondage Of The Will
Commentary On Galatians
Here I Stand: A Life Of Martin Luther By Roland Bainton
Martin Luther: A Guided Tour Of His Life And Thought By Stephen Nichols
Luther On The Christian Life By Carl Trueman
The Legacy Of Luther Edited By R.C. Sproul & Stephen Nichols
Collected Works
Martin Luther's Basic Theological Writings Edited By Timothy Lull
Martin Luther: Selections From His Writings Edited By John Dillenberger
By Luther
The Bondage Of The Will
Commentary On Galatians
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