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Copyright © 2019 Alan Joseph Pihringer Copyright © 2019 Alan Joseph Pihringer All rights reserved. The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary has permission to reproduce and disseminate this document in any form by any means for purposes chosen by the Seminary, including, without limitation, preservation or instruction. FROM ORR TO ZACHARIAS AND BEYOND: AN APPROACH TOWARD CHRISTIAN APOLOGETICS FROM THE PURVIEW OF WORLDVIEW TRUTH-TESTING __________________ A Dissertation Presented to the Faculty of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary __________________ In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy __________________ by Alan Joseph Pihringer May 2019 APPROVAL SHEET FROM ORR TO ZACHARIAS AND BEYOND: AN APPROACH TOWARD CHRISTIAN APOLOGETICS FROM THE PURVIEW OF WORLDVIEW TRUTH-TESTING Alan Joseph Pihringer Read and Approved by: __________________________________________ James Parker III (Chair) __________________________________________ Mark T. Coppenger __________________________________________ Theodore J. Cabal Date______________________________ To my lovely bride, Trisha Pihringer, whose constant sacrifice, support, love, and encouragement have made this possible. God has used you to make me a better man, husband, father, pastor, and theologian. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page PREFACE ......................................................................................................................... vii Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................1 Progression of Christian Apologetic Approaches ...............................................5 Thesis ................................................................................................................18 2. WORLDVIEW AND APOLOGETICS ................................................................26 Introduction .......................................................................................................26 The Birth and Growth of the Worldview Concept ............................................28 Philosophical Roots of Worldview as a Concept .................................... 28 The Christian Expansion of the Worldview Concept .............................. 36 A Settled Conception of Worldview ........................................................ 53 Worldview Apologetics ....................................................................................54 James Orr ................................................................................................. 54 Abraham Kuyper ..................................................................................... 56 Gordon H. Clark ...................................................................................... 57 Francis Schaeffer ..................................................................................... 58 Ravi Zacharias ......................................................................................... 62 Conclusion—Why Worldview for Apologetics? ..............................................65 3. ABDUCTIVE REASONING: A LOGIC FOR TRUTH DISCOVERY ...............68 iv Chapter Page Introduction to Abduction in Discovering Truth ..............................................68 Abductive Reasoning amongst Other Logics ....................................................70 Philosophic Roots of Abductive Reasoning ......................................................73 Contemporary Use of Abductive Reasoning in Various Scholarly Fields ........75 General and Social Sciences .................................................................... 76 Law .......................................................................................................... 78 Use and Strengths in Christian Apologetics .....................................................79 Cumulative Case Apologetics as an Abductive Methodology ................ 79 Abductive Reasoning, Worldview Analysis, and Truth .......................... 85 Analysis of Abduction in Apologetics ..................................................... 88 Replying to Criticisms of Abductive Reasoning ...............................................89 Defense against Logical Fallacies ........................................................... 89 Defense against Bas van Fraassen’s Criticisms ....................................... 92 Defense against Anthony Flew’s Leaky Bucket Critique ........................ 94 Criteria for Evaluating Worldview Hypotheses ................................................96 Conclusion ........................................................................................................98 4. DEMONSTRATING WORLDVIEW TRUTHFULNESS .................................100 Introduction .....................................................................................................100 Epistemological Theories of Truth..................................................................106 Coherence Theory .................................................................................. 106 Correspondence Theory ......................................................................... 110 Pragmatic Theory ................................................................................... 113 Tests for Truth in Worldview Analysis ...........................................................116 Logical Consistency ............................................................................... 119 Empirical Adequacy .............................................................................. 123 Experiential Relevance .......................................................................... 126 v Chapter Page The Unaffirmability and Undeniability Tests .................................................128 Conclusion ......................................................................................................130 5. CONTEXT AND CONTRAST OF WORLDVIEW TRUTHFULNESS ...........133 Four Basic Questions of Life ..........................................................................133 Origin ..................................................................................................... 139 Meaning ................................................................................................. 140 Morality ................................................................................................. 140 Destiny ................................................................................................... 141 Analysis of Worldviews in Light of the Tests and Questions .........................142 Naturalistic Humanism (Contradictory Atheistic System) .................... 142 Islam (Contradictory Theistic System) .................................................. 161 Hinduism (Contradictory Pantheistic System) ...................................... 171 Christianity ............................................................................................ 180 6. CONCLUSION ...................................................................................................192 Philosophic Presentation of the Apologetic ....................................................192 Practical Concerns for Presenting the Apologetic ..........................................197 Final Considerations .......................................................................................200 BIBLIOGRAPHY ........................................................................................................... 204 vi PREFACE My journey in this life seems like a whirlwind of uniqueness. Knowing full well that there is no such thing as coincidence, I marvel at the providential hand of Almighty God. I, like Paul, feel like one “untimely born,” and am amazed not only at the grace extended to me by God through Jesus Christ but at the direction by which He has guided me to get to this point in my life. Born again in my mid-twenties through His living and active Word, I have always sensed a call not only to preach and teach that Word but also to defend that Word and the God who inspired it. In the back of my mind I had always known that apologetics would have and hold my interest, but like most things in my life, it took me time to get over my stubbornness and just do it. Nevertheless, here I am, and I would have it no other way. I would not be here, though, were it not for the help and support of so many special people that God has placed in my path, for whom I give many thanks. As per the dedication, Trisha Leigh Pihringer has been my earthly source of undying love and support. She is a godly woman first and foremost. That God placed her in my life with her unwavering faith and unending sacrifice is no small wonderment to me. God has used and will continue to use her to keep me going. She has given me two wonderful children, Kyle and Kenzie, who provide me with constant joy and laughter, and who also have encouraged and supported their dad in his academic pursuits. I am blessed beyond measure to have this family. Richard and Rita Powell, my in-laws, are an inspiration to me. They are sacrificial givers who not only live out an example of servanthood but demonstrate what a godly marriage and agape love truly are. They have sacrificed much time and many resources to make my studies possible and have taken good care of my family. Words vii cannot do justice to speak of the love and admiration I have for them. During this journey, I have been blessed to have pastored two wonderful churches who have helped me on
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