Reforming Apologetics (Introduction)

▤ Summary

I previously commented on an article by Dr. Fesko which makes some criticisms of Van Til and some of his followers, so that serves as part of the backdrop to this series of interactions with his book (which I trust will reflect a collegial spirit!). Fesko therefore aims to get Reformed theology back on its original course: “The goal of this essay is to retrieve the book of nature primarily for use in defending the faith, or apologetics.” (p. 4) In his view, confessional Reformed theology holds to a robust view of “the light of nature,” understood in terms of “common notions and their connections to the order of nature.” The book will thus explore “the connections between the innate and acquired knowledge of God.” The remainder of the introduction provides previews of the subsequent chapters. Chapter 6 will focus on “the transcendental argument for the existence of God (TAG).” Fesko’s take in a nutshell: “TAG can be a useful argument in the apologist’s toolbox, but not at the cost of the depreciation or neglect of the book of nature.” (p. 7) Fesko apparently finds it a matter of some concern that “TAG has its origins in idealist philosophy and is wedded to HWT,” but he doesn’t conclude that TAG is “automatically unbiblical or should be cast aside.” (p. 7) Chapter 7 addresses the objection that the early modern Reformed theologians adopted an unbibical nature-grace dualism which they uncritically inherited from Thomistic scholasticism (and ultimately from pagan thought). Based on what I’ve read so far, I expect to agree with much of what Fesko argues about the use of natural revelation in apologetics, but also to disagree on some points of application and also on how Van Til’s position is represented. Fesko makes frequent references to “natural theology” and “classic/historic Reformed theology.” It would be good to have these terms more precisely defined, since they apparently do a lot of work in Fesko’s overall argument.

▦ Linked Companies

Subsplash

$10M to $25M