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Summary: An Indispensable Book on Van Til's Thought
Review: Although large in volume, you'll find it an easy andstraightforward read (at least I did). This is college-level readingthough.I'm a bit disturbed by how some have critiqued the author Dr. Greg L. Bahnsen. Personally, I don't see how Bahnsen misrepresented the Roman Catholic faith in his debate with Matatics. I would challenge you (the reader) to get a copy of this debate and see who really misrepresented who. Furthermore, I don't think that Bahnsen's critique on Dispensationalism is mistaken. In fact there's a book he wrote (with Dr. Ken Gentry) entitled "House Divided" (available at Amazon) where he goes straight to the issue of wheter Israel is distinct from the church or not (and then some). Besides, it depends on which form of Dispensationalism you're talking about. For instance, there is Progressive Dispensationalism. Although Bahnsen (and Van Til) disagrees on the issue of Natural Theology with John Frame, would it hurt to say that Frame was wrong? Because (in my opinion) he was. Unfortunately, I cannot tell you how because I don't have the room to, but you can get Bahnsen's critique on Frame. I'll grant that Roman Catholics and Classical (and Evidential) apologists can use the presuppositional method, but there has to be a compromise in theology. If you get to the nitty gritty both methods oppose each other. As Van Til said, "What will the apologist do? If he is a Roman Catholic or Arminian he will tone down the nature of Christianity to some extent to make it appear that the consitent application of his friend's neutral method will lead to an acceptance of Christian theism after all. But if he is a Calvinist this way is not open to him (561, Van Til's Apologetic)." Only the Reformers can consistently hold to the presuppositional method. It is the most Calvinistic and the most Biblical. I recommend you get a copy of Bahnsen's debate with Dr. R.C. Sproul on different aplogetical methodology. And if you want to see how one can apply the presuppositional method to non-Christians get a hold of his debate with Dr. Gordon Stein or Dr. Edward Tabash or Dr. Michael Martin (actually Martin declined to debate openly with Bahnsen). Or read Van Til's essay "Why I believe In God." Read Van Til's Apologetic, highlight the important parts, use in in your philosphical term papers, use it in religion, and in college Sunday school, or read it for pleasure... you'll never forget the dictum: "Antitheism presupposes theism"!
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Summary: My favorite apologetic book!
Review: Dr. Greg Bahnsen is the best in defending the presuppositional and transcendental apologetic methodology. Dr. Cornelius Van Til who is probably the most brilliant Christian thinker of the twentieth century has surely picked the right man to further this important philosophy. Although Bahnsen has passed away, he has left us with a treasure of knowledge in this book. This is indispensable reading because it's the best and most faithful book on Van Til's thoughts! I encourage you to get Bahnsen's debates with Gordon Stein and Edward Tabash and George Smith (and the controversy generated with Michael Martin). Furthermore, Bahnsen's friend Michael Butler has debated Dan Barker and Douglas Krueger. Both debates worth getting. If VAN TIL'S APOLOGETIC is too sophisticated for some of you then Bahnsen's book ALWAYS READY would be perfect for you.
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Summary: This is definitely Greg Bahnsen's most important book!
Review: 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.
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Summary: Excellent!
Review: This book is fantastic. Bahnsen does a phenomenal job of clarifying and presenting Van Til's ideas in an understandable format. Both men were amazing Christian thinkers and this fact shines through! I would highly recommend this book for anyone interested in not only strengthening, but defending his or her faith. This book provides an excellent foundation in apologetics!
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Summary: Catholic who loved this book
Review: This book is very well written and great, however, there are times when Bahnsen seemed to imply that VanTil was the first Christian thinker since the Apostle Paul to see clearly that human knowledge and reason are utterly dependent on the Christian God (1976a, p. 232). However, Van Til himself misunderstood Thomas Aquinas and other Catholic writers. Dr. Greg L. Bahnson, although very brilliant, also followed Van Til in misunderstanding Thomas Aquinas. This is stated more clearly by Van Tils successor, John M. Frame, in his book Cornelius Van Til : An Analysis of His Thought. Where Frame admits that Van Til misunderstood Thomas Aquinas. However, this book is very well written and is a must have for all Christian apologetics.
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Summary: Hands Down the Best Assessment of Van Til's apologetics
Review: 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).
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