Presuppositional Apologetics (Part 2)

Practical Implications of Presuppositional Argumentation

The Christian’s daily life is saturated with opportunities for apologetics. Whether those who inquire about the hope that is within us are combatants with a desire for petty argumentation or curious seekers looking for answers to honest questions, we must be ready to make our defense. The following are some practical encouragements in light of the primacy of presuppositional apologetics.

Avoid the Intellectual Arms Race

Cultivate a higher view of Scripture, not a higher view of your own intellect. An accurate estimation of ourselves in the arena of apologetics should lead us to the conclusion that we are but humble servants of a mighty King commissioned to defend the hope that He has put within us (1Pe 3:15). After all, that King “has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise” (1Co 1:27). The most God-honoring defenders of truth are not necessarily those who can eloquently present the cosmological, teleological, and ontological arguments for the existence of God. The best apologists are not necessarily those who can masterfully weave a grand tapestry of historical evidence for the resurrection or logico-philosophical arguments for theism while citing sources verbatim from memory. Rather, the most faithful apologists are those who simply take the truth that has been dispensed from the Dispenser of truth and clearly present it to those who would hear.

If we are to be successful apologists, we must first realize and then remind ourselves often of this fundamental reality: God is the source of all knowledge and understanding of truth (Ps 119:160; Pr 30:5; Jn 17:17; Tit 1:2). Avoid the trap of quibbling over mere evidence and instead rely on the perspicuous and transcendental truth of the Bible. Be staunchly biblical. Be confidently pre-suppositional.

Be Tenaciously Presuppositional but Avoid Total Exclusivism

It should be mentioned here that the strategy of presuppositional apologetics has been accused of a sort of narrow-mindedness and exclusivity that is not totally unfounded. Cornelius Van Til, considered to be the father of presuppositional apologetics, was known for his exclusive use of presuppositional argumentation. He tended to intentionally avoid any mention of earthly evidence or employment of philosophical arguments. While his pioneering effort should be, of course, greatly appreciated by presuppositionalists today, there is good reason to look to the examples of those who have built upon his foundational work. Greg Bahnsen and John Frame are two such students of Van Til who exemplify an approach that, while committed to the presuppositional strategy, make some use of other apologetic strategies.

Notably, however, other apologetic strategies, such as classical apologetics, evidential apologetics, cumulative case apologetics, or even reformed epistemology apologetics all fail to recognize the presuppositional nature of Christianity itself.² Whether it is admitted or not, these alternatives to presuppositionalism are laced with versions of empiricism and rationalism. They all, in some way, engage in defending the faith by means influenced by extrabiblical epistemologies. Because of this key error, they should be kept on the periphery in the apologetic debate. For example, there is a time and a place for the use of historical evidence in an apologetic discussion, however, it should be treated as the specialized tool that it is, not as the primary strategy of the defender. Even an appeal to human reason may be appropriately used in certain situations, but it ought to not be the leading element in an apology because it cannot be ultimately effective in accomplishing the central goal of apologetics.

This is an issue of priority, not of wholesale adoption or avoidance. Yes, a biblical apologist leads with the presuppositions necessary to Christianity. But he may also use wisdom in opting to carefully use secondary forms of defense in unique situations.

Avoid Getting Caught in the Weeds

Unbelievers fail to accept the truth and accept God. They are in outright rebellion by definition. It is true, however, that some are more aggressive than others, and at times, you may find yourself defending your faith to someone who just wants to argue about peripheral facts.

When this happens, we would all do well to remember that our defense is not to quibble over facts. Rather it is to point to the truth of our presuppositions. A staunch presuppositionalist, Dr. Greg Bahnsen made this very point,

…the apologist cannot be satisfied to argue merely about certain facts (even those very special facts known as ‘miracles,’ like Christ’s resurrection). Factual argumentation may become necessary, but it is never sufficient. What one takes to be factual, as well as the interpretation of accepted facts, will be governed by his underlying philosophy of fact—that is, by more basic, all-pervasive, value-oriented, categorizing, possibility-determining, probability-rating, supra-experiential, religiously-motivated presuppositions. It is at this presuppositional level that the crucial work in defending the faith must thus be done.³

Don’t get caught in those weeds. Just be honest and confident in your foundation.

Evangelize With Confidence and Transparency

A full discussion about the proper methodology for apologetics and its relationship to evangelism is beyond the scope of this article, but in light of the assertions presented above, it should at least be mentioned that apologetics is by definition, defensive. In the most prominent passage on the subject of apologetics in Scripture, Peter encourages his readers to “always [be] ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and fear,” (1Pe 3:15, LSB). Most fundamentally, presuppositional apologetics is merely acting on the commitment to be honest about what the Bible says about epistemology and salvation. It should be simple and natural for a genuine believer. When someone asks you to make a defense for the hope that is in you, respond to them with the truth you know about God and the truth about His Word and the truth about the gospel, and then realize that it is only God who can use your defense to lead to the salvation of their soul. Evangelism is primarily offensive, and apologetics is primarily defensive, but both are closely related and often involve a simple yet robust faith in God and His Word.

Notes

Michael is an Associate Pastor at Indian Hills Community Church in Lincoln, NE as well as a Master of Divinity student at The Master’s Seminary.