I am pleased to announce that a long lost manuscript by the late Rev. Dr. Greg L. Bahnsen has been published by American Vision and Covenant Media Press. It is entitled Presuppostional Apologetics: Stated and Defended and can be obtained here. This is a systematic treatment of the Van Tillian method of defending the faith and includes assessments of Gordon Clark, Edward J. Carnell, and Francis Schaeffer. This volume provides a nice complement to this, this, and this. Be on the lookout for a full review sometime in the near future.
New Bahnsen Apologetics Book
8 Responses to “New Bahnsen Apologetics Book”
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I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naïve. (Romans 16:17-18)
Jeff,
Is this a good place to start? I’m trying to get a better grasp on Van Til.
Tim
Here are my suggestions for getting a better grasp of Van Til:
Greg Bahnsen: Van Til’s Apologetic: Readings and Analysis
Greg Bahnsen: Always Ready: Directions for Defending the Faith
Scott Oliphint: The Battle Belongs to the Lord
Scott Oliphint: Reasons for Faith
Scott Oliphint & Lane Tipton: Revelation and Reason
John Frame: Cornelius Van Til: An Analysis of His Thought
Cornelius Van Til: Introduction to Systematic Theology (New ed with notes by Bill Edgar)
Cornelius Van Til: The Defense of the Faith (New restored full edition with notes by Scott Oliphint)
John Muether: Cornelius Van Til: Churchman and Apologist
And yes, I think this new Bahnsen volume would be a good volume to sink your teeth into.
One more: Herman Bavinck: Reformed Dogmatics (4 vols)
When you read Bavinck I believe you will see the theological foundation upon which Van Til builds.
I hope that helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Jeff
In terms of a start, I would pick up
Greg Bahnsen: Van Til’s Apologetic: Readings and Analysis
Greg Bahnsen: Always Ready: Directions for Defending the Faith
The new book, however looks very interesting. I’m looking forward to reading it.
Jeff-
You would recommend 10,000 pages of reading as a place to start.
I’ll try Camden’s list and go from there.
The number of books that I feel like I must read grows exponentially as I listen to the Reformed Forum.
Tim
Tim
Look at how I began my answer:
“Here are my suggestions for getting a better grasp of Van Til…”
This list starts with the same two volumes as Camden, interestingly enough, in the same order. But I was not limiting myself to introductory books. I think my list will take you from beginner (The Battle Belongs to the Lord) through intermediate to advanced levels.
Here is a recommendation:
Bahnsen: Always Ready (This is the biblical basis)
Bahnsen: Presuppositional Apologetics (This is a systematic treatment)
Bahnsen: Van Til’s Apologetic (This is primary readings and commentary)
But for absolute beginnings, I think there is nothing better than Oliphint’s The Battle Belongs to the Lord.
Yes, I am a firm believer is challenging people to read more than they might be inclined to read.
Jeff
Well, Jeff I don’t think it’s that interesting considering I copied and pasted from your list!
Camden
I guess the links threw me off! See, I lose the forest for all the trees.
Tim
Three other books that may help are:
Richard Pratt: Evert Thought Captive (Beginner/Intermediate)
Scott Oliphint: The Consistency of Van Til’s Methodology (Intermediate/Advanced)
Scott Oliphint: Van Til and the Reformation of Christian Apologetics (Intermediate/Advanced)
Jeff
Thanks guys!