Van Til Group #15 — A Critique of Mathison’s Toward a Reformed Apologetics
02/07/25 • -1 min
In this episode of Christ the Center, we engage in a thoughtful and rigorous discussion of Keith Mathison’s book, Toward a Reformed Apologetics: A Critique of the Thought of Cornelius Van Til. Carlton Wynne, Lane Tipton, and Camden Bucey critically examine Mathison’s interpretation of Van Til, particularly in relation to idealism, epistemology, and the noetic effects of sin.
Throughout this episode, we explore key themes, including:
- The Alleged Influence of Idealism: Did Van Til borrow philosophical categories from absolute idealism, or did he consistently maintain a Reformed, biblically grounded epistemology?
- The Nature of Human Knowledge: Did Van Til argue that humans must know everything in order to know anything? Or is this a misreading of his critique of unbelieving thought?
- The Ethical Antithesis in Epistemology: How does covenant theology shape Van Til’s apologetic system, and why is the ethical nature of knowledge crucial for understanding his method?
- The Role of Coherence and Correspondence in Van Til’s Thought: Did Van Til adopt an idealist coherence theory of truth, or did he reject both coherence and correspondence theories as traditionally conceived?
We also discuss broader implications for Reformed apologetics, the challenges of properly interpreting Van Til, and why these theological debates matter for defending the Christian faith today. While critiquing Mathison’s arguments, we affirm the importance of engaging in these discussions with charity and precision.
Join us as we work through these foundational issues and lay the groundwork for future conversations on Mathison’s book and Van Til’s apologetic legacy.
Chapters
- 00:00:07 Introduction
- 00:07:17 Points of Appreciation for Mathison’s Book
- 00:13:04 Must Man Know All Things to Knowing Anything about Anything?
- 00:33:14 The Covenantal-Ethical Nature of Knowledge
- 00:51:11 The Influence of Idealism upon Van Til
- 01:01:54 Propositional Jenga
- 01:12:25 Borrowed Capital
- 01:18:42 Correlativism or One-Circle Thinking
- 01:23:10 The Coherence Theory of Truth
- 01:34:09 Conclusion
Participants: Camden Bucey, Carlton Wynne, Lane G. Tipton
In this episode of Christ the Center, we engage in a thoughtful and rigorous discussion of Keith Mathison’s book, Toward a Reformed Apologetics: A Critique of the Thought of Cornelius Van Til. Carlton Wynne, Lane Tipton, and Camden Bucey critically examine Mathison’s interpretation of Van Til, particularly in relation to idealism, epistemology, and the noetic effects of sin.
Throughout this episode, we explore key themes, including:
- The Alleged Influence of Idealism: Did Van Til borrow philosophical categories from absolute idealism, or did he consistently maintain a Reformed, biblically grounded epistemology?
- The Nature of Human Knowledge: Did Van Til argue that humans must know everything in order to know anything? Or is this a misreading of his critique of unbelieving thought?
- The Ethical Antithesis in Epistemology: How does covenant theology shape Van Til’s apologetic system, and why is the ethical nature of knowledge crucial for understanding his method?
- The Role of Coherence and Correspondence in Van Til’s Thought: Did Van Til adopt an idealist coherence theory of truth, or did he reject both coherence and correspondence theories as traditionally conceived?
We also discuss broader implications for Reformed apologetics, the challenges of properly interpreting Van Til, and why these theological debates matter for defending the Christian faith today. While critiquing Mathison’s arguments, we affirm the importance of engaging in these discussions with charity and precision.
Join us as we work through these foundational issues and lay the groundwork for future conversations on Mathison’s book and Van Til’s apologetic legacy.
Chapters
- 00:00:07 Introduction
- 00:07:17 Points of Appreciation for Mathison’s Book
- 00:13:04 Must Man Know All Things to Knowing Anything about Anything?
- 00:33:14 The Covenantal-Ethical Nature of Knowledge
- 00:51:11 The Influence of Idealism upon Van Til
- 01:01:54 Propositional Jenga
- 01:12:25 Borrowed Capital
- 01:18:42 Correlativism or One-Circle Thinking
- 01:23:10 The Coherence Theory of Truth
- 01:34:09 Conclusion
Participants: Camden Bucey, Carlton Wynne, Lane G. Tipton
Previous Episode
Ancient Near-Eastern Hero Culture
Join us for a fascinating conversation on biblical imagery. Dr. Michael Seufert, pastor of Mission OPC in St. Paul, Minnesota, and author of the dissertation Of Beasts and Men: A Study of Genesis 49 in Light of Iconography, Metaphor, and Animal Studies, guides us through the rich tapestry of ancient Near Eastern hero culture and its implications for understanding Scripture.
We explore Genesis 49, Jacob’s poetic blessing, and its striking use of animal metaphors, unpacking themes of violence, power, and divine faithfulness. Dr. Seufert highlights the ambivalence in biblical heroism, contrasting the lion-like strength of Judah with the paradoxical power of the Lamb in Revelation.
Dan Svendsen, pastor of First OPC in South Holland, Illinois, also provides his perspective as a preacher immersed in the narratives of 1 Samuel. Together, we examine how the stories of David and Judah resonate with biblical themes of leadership, humility, and redemption, offering additional depth and richness to our understanding of hero culture in the Bible.
With insights into the cultural, theological, and practical applications of these themes, we discuss how the church today can embrace the counterintuitive way of weakness modeled by Christ. This collaborative discussion bridges rigorous scholarship and pastoral application, offering profound encouragement for the Christian life.
Chapters
- 00:00:07 Introduction
- 00:10:04 Michael Seufert’s Academic Journey
- 00:25:47 Understanding Hero Culture in Scripture
- 00:35:43 The Wilderness of Empire and Violence
- 00:38:58 Animal Imagery in Biblical Power Dynamics
- 00:41:29 The Complexity of Judah’s Legacy
- 00:48:20 Lessons from Jacob and David
- 00:59:16 Embracing Christ’s Path to Victory
- 01:09:23 Conclusion
Participants: Camden Bucey, Dan Svendsen, Michael Seufert
Next Episode
Vos Group #94 — Jesus’s View of the Old Testament and Doctrine of God
In this episode, we open pp. 360–365 of Geerhardus Vos’s Biblical Theology to discuss his profound insights into Jesus’s relationship with the Old Testament. How did Christ use the Scriptures in his teaching? What did he mean when he said he came to “fulfill” the law? And how does his doctrine of God affirm the continuity of divine revelation from the Old to the New Testament?
Whether you’re a student of Reformed theology, a pastor, or simply curious about the biblical foundations of Christ’s teaching, this episode offers a rich and insightful exploration of key theological themes. Tune in now and be equipped to see Scripture through the lens of redemptive history.
Chapters
- 00:07 Introduction
- 09:08 Claims that Questions the Authenticity and Historicity of the Gospel of John
- 15:20 Disjunctive Views of the Old and New Testaments
- 21:04 Spirit and Truth
- 28:25 Jesus as Fulfillment of the Old Testament
- 38:46 Continuity between Old and New Covenants
- 42:44 Jesus’s Doctrine of God
- 49:11 Recap of Major Points
- 51:01 Conclusion
Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton
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