Presuppositional Apologetics: Stated and Defended
Overview
What once was lost is now found! Years before his untimely death, Dr. Greg L. Bahnsen wrote a systematic treatise and defense of Cornelius Van Til’s revolutionary apologetics, and it was destined to become his finest work. Amid the complications from his passing, however, the only copy was lost, and the book was never published.
Now, the last great work of this giant of Christian philosophy is back! Bahnsen’s magnum opus lays out the biblical presuppositional method, provides rigorous biblical proof, and defends the uniqueness of the method.
This is the work we all longed for Bahnsen to write, yet never knew that he already had written! Rescued from the dustbin of history, this monument of apologetics will provide must-reading for Christian defenders of the faith for generations to come. If there were only one resource for the exposition and defense of the Reformed presuppositional apologetic, this would be it; by far, it’s the clearest expression by one of the sharpest Christian thinkers of the twentieth century.
Since Presuppositional Apologetics: Stated and Defended is fully integrated with Logos, Scripture passages are linked to your favorite translation for quick reference and to your Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts for original-language study! You can also read this volume along with your Bible dictionaries, encyclopedias, and the wealth of other Bible study tools in your digital library.
- Preface by Joel McDurmon
- Exposition and defense of a Reformed presuppositional apologetic
- Presents the systematic counterpart to Bahnsen’s Van Til’s Apologetic: Readings and Analysis
Top Highlights
“A Christian apologetic does not seek, therefore, autonomously to verify God’s Word, having the believer serve as God’s defense attorney who attempts to win an acquittal from the tribunal of the unbeliever. The Bible is not externally verified at all, for it has absolute authority inherent to itself; its self-attesting nature is of utmost apologetical significance.” (Page 9)
“John Calvin wrote, ‘Contentious disputes arise from the fact that many think less honorably than they ought of the greatness of divine wisdom, and are carried away by profane audacity.’” (Page 3)
“Christianity is the only reasonable position to hold—the only outlook which can have an apologetic. That is, we must argue that the non-Christian’s epistemology and corresponding metaphysic not only prevent him from coming to faith in Christ, but they prevent him (if held consistently) from coming to any knowledge whatsoever.” (Page 15)
“It is the thinking of the rebel sinner, not the Word of the Lord, that must be brought into question. Our defense of the faith does not work toward an honoring of Christ’s lordship; it works under that lordship!” (Page 27)
“His presuppositional apologetic defends Christianity, not in terms of piecemeal truths, but as a unit or complete worldview. His argument is transcendental in character, aiming to demonstrate that the truth of God’s word is the precondition of intelligibility for man’s thinking and interpretive efforts; that is, he wishes to show that Christianity is reasonable in virtue of the impossibility of the contrary.” (Page 21)
Both the beginner and seasoned reader will benefit from Bahnsen’s lucid presentation.
—Dr. Lane Tipton, Westminster Theological Seminary
I commend this book to all who seek to think God’s thoughts after him.
—Dr. John M. Frame, J. D. Trimble Chair of Systematic Theology and Philosophy, Reformed Theological Seminary, Orlando, FL
- Title: Presuppositional Apologetics: Stated and Defended
- Author: Greg L. Bahnsen
- Editor: Joel McDurmon
- Publisher: American Vision
- Publication Date: 2008
- Pages: 314
Reviews
9 ratings
Barden, Andrew
2/4/2024
Gauge Norberg
5/8/2023
Bahnsen was such a blessing to the Church, I wish his work was recognized for what it is. This apologetic is so rich in Theology and very Biblical and I wish more light was shed upon it unlike the new apologetic where you make the unbeliever the judge.Patrick
1/19/2022
The lost book of Bahnsen! Bahnsen sets out to write a more straightforward layout for the presuppositional apologetic (aka reformed epistemology). If you've read Jason Lisle "The Ultimate Proof For Creation", this is the grad level or higher level version of that. In fact, you can see where Lisle has borrowed from the fine work of Bahnsen. This is my second year of studying presuppositionalism and it has transformed not only my apologetic method but also strengthened my faith and walk with the Lord. The subjects covered may be a little hard to take in, but a slow reading pace combined with the willingness to look up terms and concepts you might not be familiar with helps. It was also interesting to see Bahnsen critique so called "presuppositionalists" and show that the need to be consistent and declaring God's Truth as the ultimate source and necessity for all truth is imperative. I would highly recommend this book for those who want a deeper grasp on presuppositionalism. Bahnsen deals with some items more deeply here than in other books on the subject I've read. He does a great job in handling the circularity charge. He also answers "Why if the Holy Spirit can use the worst apologetic method or argument, SHOULD you use presuppositionalism?" He also really hits home "Can the unbeliever really know anything?" If anything, this shows you what a deep thinking Bahnsen was, how closely he held onto the high truths of God, and his passion for the saved and the lost to know God fully and rely on His Word for the source and ability of to know.
Ryan Dubia
1/2/2022
Ray Brown
7/24/2017
Debra W Bouey
3/1/2016
John Wilkinson
11/10/2015
Such an excellent book rich in Theology and focuses on the proper way to teach Apologetics. This is a must read.Nathan Long
10/15/2013
