Introduction The “Transcendental Argument for God” (TAG) is typically understood as resting upon the “Impossibility of the Contrary.” We may be in a better position apologetically if we think about the Impossibility of the Contrary (IoC) in terms of three aspects of the IoC. These three aspects of the IoC are definition, dogma, and demonstration. [...]

There is an objection to TAG (Transcendental Argument for God’s Existence) out there that goes something like this: TAG cannot save anyone. Depending on your context, sometimes it goes like this instead: Apologetics cannot save anyone. Of course, this is not much of an objection. It is more so just a slightly annoying comment. Perhaps [...]

Presuppositional Apologetics (antithesis – one superb argument) Cumulative Case Apologetics (piecemeal fashion – several arguments)

Abraham Kuyper: Aggressive Reaction (to Traditional Apologetics) and Unnecessary Abandonment (of All Apologetics) (apologetics is “useless” (Lectures on Calvinism, 36). Herman Bavinck: Initial Critique and Summary of Solution (“The Valid Apologetic” in Reformed Dogmatics) Cornelius Van Til: Comprehensive Critique and Reformation (The Defense of the Faith, Introduction to Systematic Theology, A Christian Theory of Knowledge) [...]

Does the Christian apologist defend the faith established, or establish the faith by defending it? In other words, does our theology determine our apologetic methodology, or does apologetics give rise to our theology? Compare the views of the great Reformed theologians/apologists Herman Bavinck (1854-1921) and his good friend Benjamin Warfield (1851-1921). “Apologetics cannot precede faith [...]

A number of months ago I posted “When Man’s Ways Trump God’s Ways: A Case Study in Apologetic Method.” I received an email from “caveman” with a number of criticisms directed at this article, and I want to briefly respond. Jamin, I was deciding whether or not I should respond to your blog post about [...]

Swindoll is still doing a great job in his preaching series on Romans. Though dispensationalist and known for some cheesy work in the 80s and 90s, Swindoll’s teaching has definitely improved since his (unofficial) conversion to Reformed soteriology a number of years ago; he has always said his biggest influence was Spurgeon. I also finished [...]