The Scope and Limits of Van Til's Transcendental Argument
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An Analytical Presentation of Cornelius Van Til's Transcendental
An Analytical Presentation of Cornelius Van Til’s Transcendental Argument from Predication By Robin Barrett May 12, 2017 Contents Introduction ....................................................................................................................................1 Defending the Methodology ..........................................................................................................2 The Transcendental Argument ...................................................................................................13 The Nature of a Transcendental Argument ........................................................................14 Presenting an Analytical Formulation of Van Til’s Transcendental Argument from Predication .........................................................................................................................18 Supporting and Defending the Transcendental Argument ......................................................24 Conclusion ....................................................................................................................................35 Bibliography ..................................................................................................................................38 ii Introduction This present author intends to examine the apologetic method and arguments of Cornelius Van Til from within an analytical framework. The purpose of such an endeavor is to subject Van Til’s arguments to an analytical critique to understand if they can withstand such a critique. -
Volume 13 Number 14
.~ ~ JU!!".~I.ol!44 1!~"~'it,lJt:~.....';a11 3f. 8rt;bam :Matbtn ~l:JitOt 1936~1937 l:t tift One Year-$2.00 Published Twenty-threeil1!t1iTimes a Year Ten Cents a Copy EDITORIAL COUNCIL 1505 Race Street John P. Clelland John Patton Galbraith Edwin H. Rlan Thomas R. Birch PhiladelphIa 2. Pa. Leslie W. Sloat Ned B. Stonehouse Managing Edl,for Discontent! By the REV. PAUL WOOLLEY Professor of Church History in Westminster Theological Seminary EIGHT years have passed-it seems longer-since The years that have followed since 1937 have seen a those glorious days in 1936 when The Orthodox slow and constant growth.of The Orthodox Presby Presbyterian Church was born. It is not difficult to terian Church. Its stability has been tested and proved. recapture in spirit the great enthusiasms of that June Its love of the Word has become manifest. Its steady day in Philadelphia when the church was first consti attention to the privilege of preaching the gospel and" tuted. The fervor was high and it rose ever higher be ministering to the saints has been demonstrated. cause the church was committing itself to an ideal that But there is, in this year 1944, discontent within the had been tested and proved through centuries-s-the church. Now discontent can be of two kinds-healthy' ideal of a Biblical church, its divinely ordained princi or malignant. This discontent is of the second kind .as ples drawn directly from the Bible and its modes of well as of the first. ' operation in' matters not Biblically prescribed based An American writer has recently pointed out that upon the experience of the Reformed churches through sooner or later any organization or entity in human so the ages. -
The League of Evangelical Students HEADQUARTERS ·Whea Ton Illinois
The League of Evangelical Students HEADQUARTERS ·Whea ton Illinois EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE President, CALVIN K. CUMMINGS, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Westminster Theological Seminary Vice-President, NICHOLAS J . BURGGRAAl~F, Holland, Michigan Western Theological Seminary Secretary, MISS MARJORIE W. ERDMAN, Jenkintown, Pennsylvania Bea ver College ISSAC M. BRUBACHER, Dallas, Texas Evangelical Theological College WILLIAM ONCKEN, Princeton, New Jersey Princeton University BOARD OF TRUSTEES R. B. KUIPER, M. A., B. D., President, LEANDER S. KEYSER, M. A., D. D., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Springfield, Ohio. LEWIS SPERRY CHAFER, D. D., Vice- J. GRESHAM MACHEN, D. D., Litt. D., President, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dallas, Texas. HERBERT MACKENZIE, D.D. ALBERTUS PIETERS, D. D., Secreta1'y, Cleveland, Ohio. Holland, Michigan. WILLIAM CHILDS ROBINSON, M. A., Th. D. 1. H. LINTON, B. A., LL. B., Treasurer, Decatur, Georgia. Kellogg Building, Washington, D. C. ROBERT K. RUDOLPH, B. A., MRS. WILLIAM BORDEN (deceased), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. New York, New York. HAROLD PAUL SLOAN, D. D., CLARENCE Bou MA, Th. D., Haddonfield, New Jersey. Grand Rapids, Michigan. H. FRAMER SMITH, Ph. D., Th. D., MILO F. JAMISON, M. A., B. Th., Chicago, Illinois. Los Angeles, California. PAUL WOOLLEY, M. Th., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. ------ WILLIAM J. JONES, M. A., B. -Th., General Secretary, Columbia, South Carolina. Men's Colleges W. HARLLEE BORDEAUX, B. A., New England Regional Secretary, Old Greenwich, Connecticut. Women's Colleges MARGARET HUNT, B. A., Central Regional S ecretm'y, Chicago, Illinois. MARJORIE MYER, B. A., Southern Regional Secretary, Louisville, Kentucky. "By the word of truth, by the power of God."-II Corinthians 6 :7. The League of Evangelical Students is a continent-wide organization of students, tounded in 1925 by a student group. -
A Review of John M. Frame, the Doctrine of the Christian Life (A Theology of Lordship Series; Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R, 2008)
A Review of John M. Frame, The Doctrine of the Christian Life (A Theology of Lordship Series; Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R, 2008) Douglas J. Moo Evangelical Theological Society National Conference New Orleans November 2009 John Frame’s The Doctrine of the Christian Life presents an attractive and irenic Reformed approach to Christian ethics. This volume is the third in a series entitled “A Theology of Lordship,” and the authoritative and normative implications of Lordship are central to this book’s presentation of Christian ethics. Following a triadic pattern that apparently dominates this series (I say “apparently” because I have not read the earlier two volumes), Frame argues that one could approach Christian ethics from three different perspectives. The “situational” perspective focuses on the context in which the believer is called on to make ethical decisions. It requires Christians to analyze the situation they find themselves in, asking, “How can we change the world in order to bring glory to God?” (p. 239). The situational perspective leads to a teleological ethic. The second perspective is the “existential.” The focus here is on the believer himself or herself, and the key question will be, “How must I be changed, if I am to please God?” (p. 317). The “normative” perspective, finally, looks at the teaching of Scripture, the revelation of God himself, the ultimate moral norm, and asks “What does God tell us to do?” (p. 239). In the terms of classic ethical theory, then, the “normative” perspective leads to a deontological ethic. A “Christian ethical decision,” Frame says, “is the application of God’s revelation (normative) to a problem (situational) by a person (existential)” (p. -
Redeeming Philosophy: a God-Centered Approach to the Big Questions Copyright © 2014 by Vern S
REDEEMING PHILOSOPHY REDEEMING WHO AM I? WHY AM I HERE? WHERE DO I FIND MEANING? Life is full of big questions. The study of philosophy seeks to answer such questions. In his latest book, prolific author Vern Poythress investigates the foundations and limitations of Western philosophy, sketching a distinctly Christian approach to A God-Centered Approach answering basic questions about the nature of humanity, the existence of God, the search for meaning, and the basis for morality. to the Big Questions For Christians eager to engage with the timeless philosophical issues that have perplexed men and women for millennia, this is the place to begin. “This volume makes a timely and welcome contribution to the age-old debate on the relationship between Christian theology and philosophy. I commend Redeeming Philosophy to all concerned with ‘taking every thought captive to obey Christ.’” RICHARD B. GAFFIN JR., Professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology, Emeritus, Westminster Theological Seminary “Poythress has again gotten it right. This book contains a great deal of fresh thinking and REDEEMING careful Christian philosophical work.” JOHN M. FRAME, J. D. Trimble Chair of Systematic Theology and Philosophy, Reformed Theological Seminary, Orlando “Matters of philosophy are often complex and laden with challenging issues. Poythress has written a PHILOSOPHY useful introductory exploration of the relationship between philosophy and the teachings of Scripture.” J. V. FESKO, Academic Dean and Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology, Westminster Seminary California POYTHRESS \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ VERN S. POYTHRESS (PhD, Harvard University; ThD, Stellenbosch University) is professor of New Testament interpretation at Westminster Theological Seminary, where he has taught for over 35 years. -
The Orthodox Presbyterian Church
The Orthodox Presbyterian Church MINUTES OF THE TWENTY-SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY i MEETING AT WESTMINSTER THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY CHESTNUT HILL, PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA MAY 25-30, 1955 Published by The Orthodox Presbyterian Church 728 Schaff Building, 1505 Race Street, Philadelphia 2, Pennsylvania .* J TWENTY-SECONDGENERAL ASSEMBLY MINUTES OF THE TWENTY-SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY ot THE ORTHODOX PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH I MEETING AT WESTMINSTERSEMINARY, CHESTNUTHILL, PHILADELPHIA,PENNSYLVANIA I May 25 - 30, 1955 WEDNESDAY EVENING, MAY 25 I I The Rev. Robert K. Churchill, moderator of the Twenty-first General Assembly, opened the Communion Service preceding the Twenty-second General Assemlbly at 8 P.M., May 25, 1955, in the Cslvary Church of Glenside, Pa. Mr. Churchill delivered a sermon on the subject “The Gospel Invitation”, using as his text Isaiah 55:l. Following the sermon, the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper was administered by Mr. Churchill, as- sisted <by the Rev. Francis E. Mahaffy and the Rev. Lawrence N. Manross, Ph.D., and Ruling Elders L. H. Barker, L. G. Brown, B. A. Cooky, and Charles H. Phillips. THURSDAY MORNING Following a devotional service led by the Rev. Lawrence R. Eyres, at 8.30, the Twenty-second General Assembly was called to order at 9 o’clock in the Calvary Church of Glenside and constituted with prayer by Mr. Churchill. I The roll of commissioners follows: Presbytery of California Ministers: Edwards E. Elliott, Edward L. Kellogg, E. Lynne Wade. Ruling Elder: L. M. Barker. Presbytery of New Jersey Ministers: Wm. Harllee Bordeaux, Ralph E. Clough, Edrnund P. Clowney, Jr., John Davies, Everett C. -
Thy Word Is Still Truth: Essential Writings on the Doctrine of Scripture from the Reformation to Today Peter A
Cedarville University DigitalCommons@Cedarville Alumni Book Gallery 10-28-2013 Thy Word Is Still Truth: Essential Writings on the Doctrine of Scripture from the Reformation to Today Peter A. Lillback Richard B. Gaffinr J . Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.cedarville.edu/alum_books Part of the Biblical Studies Commons, and the Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons Recommended Citation Lillback, Peter A. and Gaffin, Richard B. Jr., "Thy Word Is Still Truth: Essential Writings on the Doctrine of Scripture from the Reformation to Today" (2013). Alumni Book Gallery. 305. https://digitalcommons.cedarville.edu/alum_books/305 This Book is brought to you for free and open access by DigitalCommons@Cedarville, a service of the Centennial Library. It has been accepted for inclusion in Alumni Book Gallery by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@Cedarville. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Thy Word Is Still Truth: Essential Writings on the Doctrine of Scripture from the Reformation to Today Keywords Bible, doctrine Disciplines Biblical Studies | Religion | Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Publisher P & R Publishing Publisher's Note Reprinted from Thy Word Is Still Truth: Essential Writings on the Doctrine of Scripture from the Reformation to Today edited by Peter A. Lillback and Richard B. Gaffinr J ., copyright 2013, P&R Publishing, Phillipsburg, NJ. ISBN 9781596384477 This book is available at DigitalCommons@Cedarville: https://digitalcommons.cedarville.edu/alum_books/305 -
A Half Century of Reformed Scholarship
WTJ 50 (1988) 247-256 A HALF-CENTURY OF REFORMED SCHOLARSHIP MOÏSES SILVA ELEBRATING fifty years of anything invites reflection, Cand we will, I hope, be pardoned for indulging ourselves upon completing the fiftieth volume of a scholarly journal. The character and purpose of our publication were clearly set forth by its initial editors. Readers who have no access to the first issue may appreciate my quoting the introductory statement in full: If we are not mistaken (and editors, like others, sometimes make mis takes), more periodicals are dying than are being born at the present time. The Westminster Theological Journal in sending out its first issue is, therefore, going against the current of the times. It is doing that in a more important sense, however, than merely by the fact of publication. The Journal is founded upon the conviction that the Holy Scriptures are the word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and of practice, and that the system of belief commonly designated the Reformed Faith is the purest and most consistent formulation and expression of the system of truth set forth in the Holy Scriptures. This position is the position of the Faculty of Westminster Theological Seminary, and the Journal is edited by two members of that Faculty on behalf of the entire body. We stand today in the Christian Church as debtors to nineteen centuries of Christian history, thought, and experience. It would not only be futile but wrong to try to dissociate ourselves from the great stream of Christian tradition. Other men laboured and we have entered into their labours. -
The Princeton Seminary Bulletin
Catalogue of Princeton Theological Seminary 1923-1924 ONE HUNDRED AND TWELFTH YEAR The Princeton Seminary Bulletin Volume XVII, No. 4, January, 1924 Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2017 with funding from Princeton Theological Seminary Library https://archive.org/details/princetonsemina1741prin_0 4. President Stevenson, 86 Mercer St 15. Dr. Wilson, 73 Stockton St. 5. Dr. Loetscher, 98 Mercer St. 17. Dr. Dulles, 27 Boudinot St. 6. Dr. Hodge, 80 Mercer St 18. Dr. Machen, 39 Alexander Hall. 7. Dr. Armstrong, 74 Mercer St 19. Dr. Allis, 26 Alexander Hall. 8. Dr Davis, 58 Mercer St. 20. Missionary Apartment, 29 Alexander St. 9. Dr. Vos, 52 Mercer St. 21. Calvin Payne Hall. 10. Dr. J. R. Smith, 31 Alexander St. Mr. Jenkins, 309 Hodge Hall. 11. Mr. H. W. Smith, 16 Dickinson St. Mr. McCulloch, Calvin Payne Hall, Al. Catalogue of The Theological Seminary of The Presbyterian Church at Princeton, N. J. 1923-1924 One Hundred and Twelfth Year The Princeton Seminary Bulletin Vol. XVII, January, 1924, No. 4 Published quarterly by the Trustees of the Theological Seminary of the Presbyterian Church. Entered as second class matter. May. 1907, at the post^'office at Princeton, N. J. under the Act of Congress of July 16, 1894. 3 BOARD OF DIRECTORS MAITLAND ALEXANDER, D.D., LL.D., President Pittsburgh JOHN B. LAIRD, D.D., First Vice-President Philadelphia ELISHA H. PERKINS, Esq., Second Vice-President Baltimore SYLVESTER W. BEACH, D.D., Secretary Princeton J. ROSS STEVENSON, D.D., LL.D., ex-officio Princeton Term to Expire May, 1924 HOW.\RD DUFFIELD, D.D New York City WILLIAM L. -
BOOK Reviewby WG Crampton, Th.D
BOOK REVIEW by W. G. Crampton, Th.D. THE ESCONDIDO THEOLOGY A Reformed Response to Two Kingdom Theology by John Frame ohn M. Frame is a well-known Reformed theologian who currently holds the J. D. Trimble Chair of Systematic Theology and Philosophy at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, Florida. J Earlier he served on the faculty of Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and he was one of the founding faculty members of Westminster Theological Seminary in Escondido, California. Dr. Frame is the author of well over a dozen books, including his highly respected The Lordship Series. He has also written numerous articles, essays, and book reviews. He is perhaps best known as a staunch supporter of the presuppositional approach to apologetics taught by Cornelius Van Til. The present reviewer has critiqued some of Dr. Frame’s writings on other occasions,1 but here there is much positive to be said. The Escondido Theology2 was written by Professor Frame to overview some of the errant teachings coming forth from the California seminary at which he once taught. Being a founding faculty member at this seminary, he is well equipped to do so. Following an Introduction by George Grant (7-14), a Foreword by Gary DeMar (15-28), a Review by Andrew Sandlin (29-33), and a Publisher’s Preface by Kenneth Talbot (35-36), we have the Author’s Preface (37-44) followed by eleven chapters. In his preface Professor Frame tells us what this book is about: “This book is a critical analysis of a theological movement that I call ‘The Escondido Theology.’” The members of this school of thought “are representatives of the orthodox Reformed theological tradition. -
Ronald T. Clutter, "The Reorganization of Princeton
Grace Theological Journal 7.2 (1986) 179- 201 THE REORGANIZATION OF PRINCETON THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY RECONSIDERED RONALD T. CLUTTER The reorganization of Princeton Theological Seminary, leading to the withdrawal of J. Gresham Machen, Oswald T. Allis, Cornelius Van Til, and Robert Dick Wilson, is identified often as a triumph of modernism in its conflict with fundamentalism in the churches in the 1920s. However, a consideration of the situation at Princeton and of the events which took place within and outside the institution leads to a different conclusion. The controversy at Princeton involved evangelical Presbyterians, all claiming loyalty to the tradition of the seminary. The conflict arose due to competing philosophies of seminary education and differing solutions for dealing with liberalism in the denomination. In this confrontation, pitting one evangelical faction against another, Prince ton Seminary suffered privately and publicly. The denomination was called upon to assist in resolving the problem. The solution enacted by the denomination resulted in the departure from the seminary ofsome of the most capable defenders of the evangelicalfaith. * * * INTRODUCTION T the centennial celebration of Princeton Theological Seminary in A 1912, institution president, Francis Landey Patton, declared that "the theological position of Princeton Seminary has remained un changed.'" At the sesquicentennial celebration, H~gh T. Kerr stated: "It is no secret that many contemporary professors at the seminary feel completely out of touch theologically with their predecessors of a generation or more ago on such issues as Biblical criticism, apolo getics, the sacraments, and the interpretation of the Westminster IFrancis Landey Patton. "Princeton Seminary and the Faith," in The Centennial Celebration of the Theological Seminary of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America (n.p., n.d.) 354. -
Good K-12 Formal Education Is Necessarily Christian
SAVE THE CHILDREN: GOOD K-12 FORMAL EDUCATION IS NECESSARILY CHRISTIAN by Bruce H Smith A thesis presented to the faculty in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Arts (Religion) at Reformed Theological Seminary Charlotte, North Carolina January 2011 Copyright © 2011 by Bruce Smith All rights reserved ii To my mentor, Hugh John Flemming Jr. I will always be grateful for your investment in my life iii. CONTENTS I. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................... 1 II. LITERATURE REVIEW.......................................................................................... 3 III. A BIBLICAL VIEW OF EDUCATION...................................................................10 IV. THE PROBLEM – COMPETING WORLDVIEWS ...............................................15 a. War of the Worlds - The Battle of Ideas........................................................15 b. Public School System i. Philosophical Underpinnings – myth of neutrality............................22 ii. A Historical Prospective....................................................................32 iii. Quality of Education..........................................................................46 iv. Student Behaviour..............................................................................48 v. The Additional Curriculum................................................................51 vi. Reform or Reconstruct.......................................................................53