Benjamin B. Warfield and Right Reason: The Clarity of General Revelation and Function of Apologetics

Owen Anderson makes significant contribution in the exploration of the relationship between faith and reason. He accomplishes this epistemic exercise by contrasting the apologetic formulations of Warfield, Kuyper, and Van Til. He prefers Warfield's position, but is not sharply opposed to the majority of the work of Van Til and Kuyper. He is extremely careful in pointing out error or incongruity in these scholars as his goal is to demonstrate "the scope and sequence of the proofs required in showing clarity and inexcusability." The great contemporary sage Surrendra Gangadean's forward is worth the purchase of this book alone (He defines his idea of Reason; Natural Theology; Skepticism; Fideism; a new twist on a Theistic Proof, p. xv; the Program of Natural Theology; and further erudition - that's just the forward!). Chapters are: 1. Princeton and Common Sense Philosophy 2. Warfield and Right Reason 3. Warfield and Kuyper 4. Warfield and Van Til The author gives careful summary of Van Til's apologetic as he seems to agree with much of Van Til's thought. Nonetheless he writes that Van Til's analysis of Warfield and Kuyper "seems to leave some problems" (p. 58). He argues that all worldviews must be circular including Van Til's (p. 59). And he seems to reject Van Til's ultimate pre-commitment forasmuch as he affirms Reason as the only correct starting assumption (p. 59). Anderson contends that theistic proofs can be advanced if the apologist deals rightly with Hume's and Kant's criticisms. He leaves that effort for another day. Anderson's work should be commended as excellent introduction in the contrast between the above named apologetic giants. I highly recommend this well constituted and clearly defined philosophical treatise. The Necessary Existence of God: The Proof of Christianity Through Presuppositional Apologetics

I haven't come across another work which gives such an excellent examination and critique of the development of Princeton Theological Seminary and the underlying philosophies of those connected with this tradition. In doing so, Dr. Anderson seeks to address one of the foremost challenges to the Christian Faith since the Enlightenment: Faith vs. Reason. This incorporates considering the role of reason, how it has been understood, and how there is a need to more fully identify reason in its critical use. He argues that this is necessary to establish the clarity of general revelation which in turn is necessary to establish the claims of redemption within the Christian Faith. I am excited to hear that Dr. Anderson is offering a revised and updated edition to this work which will be offered in the summer of 2008, titled "Reason and Worldviews". It will include some new and updated chapters examining further work in this discussion. I would encourage anyone interested in critically examining the Christian worldview to grab a copy.

'B.B. Warfield and Right Reason' is an insightful work calling its readers to explore the rich history of apologetics with in the Christian faith and to see how B.B. Warfield understood the role 'reason' has in arguing for the validity of the Christian faith inlight of the doctrine of the clarity of general revelation. As the waves of post-modernism and dogmatic relativism flood the american culture, this work provides a light in this sea of intellectual darkness.

Benjamin B. Warfield and Right Reason: The Clarity of General Revelation and Function of Apologetics provides a clear and concise study of the development of Princeton Theological Seminar and a profound study and refutation of common sense realism which was adopted as the epistemological method used to defend the truth of Christian Theism. Dr. Anderson does not stop in the refutation of common sense realism, but goes further in seeing the necessity for Christian apologetics to base its claims in the use of "right reason", that is to say in the critical use of reason employed in the examination of general revelation. Dr. Anderson exhorts Christian apologists to see where Benjamin B. Warfield and Charles Hodge needed to go further in their affirmation of the clarity of general revelation. To affirm that clarity is needed, requires being able to show it. It is at this point where Dr.Anderson provides a good and needed contribution to the field of apologetics due to the present avoidance of Christian Apologists to engage with the problems that have divided and challenged the Church since the enlightenment.