Paul Moser

Publication Date

11-1978

Advisor(s) - Committee Chair

Ronald Nash

Comments

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Degree Program

Department of Philosophy & Religion

Degree Type

Master of Arts

Abstract

This study analyzes the philosophies of Gordon H. Clark and Cornelius Van Til for the purpose of laying the foundations of a Reformed Christian apologetic. The main subjects treated in the study are the doctrine of revelation, the doctrine of God, divine and human knowledge, and the nature and test of truth. Special attention is devoted to epistemological matters, as epistemology controls apologetics. It is argued that Van Til’s theory of analogy, though not identical with the Thomistic doctrine, is untenable and so fails to provide a basis for a vital Reformed apologetic. Clark’s theory of univocal predication between God and man is set forth as a more promising alternative. The most significant contribution to apologetics made by Clark is his axiomatic ideal. This ideal, far from making Christianity a type of Spinozistic rationalism, allows the apologist to display the internal consistency of his system; furthermore, it precludes any unwitting espousal by the apologist of alien principles. Clark’s axiomatic theory of Scripture does not exclude from Christianity knowledge obtainable by other means; rather, this theory provides the apologist with knowledge otherwise unobtainable.

Disciplines

Arts and Humanities | Biblical Studies | Christianity | Religion | Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion

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