Review: Covenantal Apologetics by K. Scott Oliphint

With an increasingly hostile culture that preaches a message directly opposed to biblical Christianity, Christians need to be armed now more than ever with the knowledge of what they believe and how that knowledge impacts their lives. Many know a great deal about theology but yet don’t know how their theology should impact their life. Thus, the renewed focus on apologetics should be celebrated in the Church.

In Covenantal Apologetics: Principles and Practice in Defend of our Faith, Dr. K. Scott Oliphint argues that Biblical apologetics is Scripture driven, Christ-centered, Gospel-centric, and Holy Spirit empowered. His model of apologetics seeks to be rooted in solid biblical exegesis and application. “Covenantal Apologetics” is Oliphint’s revised term for Presuppositional Apologetics. It isn’t anything new but rather something founded upon the historic doctrines of the faith, something very biblical and glorifying to God. Those who have taken issue with Presuppositional Apologetics as a system should take note of the biblical and theological arguments Dr. Oliphint presents. Though his work is fresh in approach, it is firmly rooted in the long tradition of Reformed theology.

John Frame Interview Transcript

The following transcript is from an Apologetics 315 interview with John Frame. Original audio here. Transcript index here. If you enjoy transcripts, please consider supporting, which makes this possible.

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BA: Hello, this is Brian Auten of Apologetics315. Today I am speaking with Dr. John Frame, Professor of Systematic Theology and Philosophy at Reformed Theological Seminary. Dr. Frame is a philosopher and a Calvinist theologian, especially noted for his work in epistemology and presuppositional apologetics - also systematic theology and ethics. He is one of the foremost interpreters and critics of the thought of Cornelius Van Til and his publications include Van Til the Theologian, The Doctrine of the Knowledge of God, Medical Ethics, Apologetics to the Glory of God, Cornelius Van Til: An Analysis of His Thought among a number of others.

So today I will be asking Dr. Frame a bit about Presuppositional Apologetics, Doing Apologetics to the Glory of God and ask his advice for Christian apologists. Thanks for taking the time to speak with me today Dr. Frame.

JF: Happy to be with you Brian and your listeners.

BA: So before we get started, would you mind telling our listeners just a bit about your background and how you got into the field of theology.

K. Scott Oliphint Interview Transcript

The following transcript is from an Apologetics 315 interview with K. Scott Oliphint. Original audio here. Transcript index here. If you enjoy transcripts, please consider supporting, which makes this possible.

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BA: Hello, this is Brian Auten of Apologetics 315. Today’s interview is with K. Scott Oliphint, Professor of Apologetics and Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary. He is author of a number of books, including: God With Us – Divine Condescension and the Attributes of God;  and Reasons for Faith – Philosophy in the Service of Theology.

The purpose of today’s interview is to get to know more about Dr Oliphint’s work in apologetics, explore presuppositional apologetics and look at philosophy in the service of theology. Well, thanks for joining me for this interview, Dr Oliphint.

KSO: You’re welcome Brian. Good to talk to you.

BA:  Well, first off Dr Oliphint would you mind telling our listeners a bit more about yourself and your background.

Terminology Tuesday: Presuppositionalism

Presuppositionalism: A variety of classical evangelical apologetics often associated with Cornelius Van Til. Presuppositionalists assert that any system of belief is built on certain foundational presuppositions (unprovable assertions that must be believed to make experience meaningful). As a result, the best means of Christian apologetics is not to prove certain specific assertions such as the existence of God, the historicity of the resurrection or the authority of the Bible. Instead the presuppositionalist Christian apologist explores the foundational presuppositions of competing belief systems with the goal of showing that human experience makes sense (or has meaning) most clearly when viewed in the light of the foundational teachings of the Christian faith.1

1. Stanley J. Grenz, David Guretzki & Cherith Fee Nordling, Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1999), p. 95.

Apologist Interview: K. Scott Oliphint

Today's interview is with K. Scott Oliphint, Professor of Apologetics and Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary. He is author of a number of books, including God With Us: Divine Condescention and the Attributes of God, and Reasons for Faith: Philosophy in the Service of Theology. He talks about his background and influences, Christian Apologetics Past & Present: A Primary Source Reader, presuppositional apologetics, the work of Cornelius Van Til, "covenantal apologetics," the practical application of presuppositionalism, common ground, common misconceptions of presuppositionalism, recommended reading, advice, and much more.

Full Interview MP3 Audio here (78 min)

Enjoy.
Subscribe to the Apologetics 315 Interviews podcast here or in iTunes.

Apologist Interview: John Frame

Today's interview is with John Frame, Professor of Systematic Theology and Philosophy at Reformed Theological Seminary. He talks about how he got into theology, the role of philosophy for the apologist, Cornelius Van Til and his influence, presuppositional apologetics, common misconceptions about the presuppositional approach, differences in practice, recommended books, arguing in circles, the use of evidence in apologetics, and advice to apologists.

Full Interview MP3 Audio here. (43 min)

John Frame's articles, bio & essays. iTunesU apologetics course, and more.
Frame's books include:
• Apologetics to the Glory of God
• No Other God: A Response to Open Theism
• Cornelius Van Til: An Analysis of His Thought
• The Doctrine of the Knowledge of God
• The Doctrine of the Christian Life
• The Doctrine of the Word of God
• The Doctrine of God

Enjoy.

Francis Schaeffer Lecture on Apologetics MP3

In this audio, Francis Schaeffer presents a lecture on apologetics, presuppositions, communication in culture, and the line of despair. Although somewhat of a fragment (it's only part of a group of lectures), it's a nice audio for getting a feel for Schaeffer's style, ideas, and approach. Original at SermonIndex. More by Schaeffer here.

Full MP3 Audio here (1hr)

Enjoy.

Presuppositional Apologetics MP3 Audio by John Frame (one of five views)

This is the audio version of chapter four of Five Views of Apologetics, a book on apologetic methodology. This chapter is by John Frame on presuppositional apologetics, one of the five views represented in the book. Found at ReformedAudio.org.

Full MP3 Audio here. (1 hr, with lots of pops)

Enjoy.

See also John Frame's interview on the subject.

What was last year's post? See here.

Presuppositional Apologetics Interview with John Frame MP3 Audio

Here is an interview with John Frame on the subject of presuppositional apologetics. This is originally found at Converse with Scholars. Audio quality is not the best (especially at the start) but the content is excellent for learning about presuppositional apologetics. For more, you can check out John Frame's Apologetics to the Glory of God.

Full MP3 Audio here.

Enjoy.

Greg Bahnsen on Van Tilian Apologetics MP3 Audio

In light of the release of Greg Bahnsen's "lost" book Presuppositional Apologetics: Stated & Defended, here is some supplemental audio on Bahnsen's presentation of Van Tilian apologetics:

• Van Tilian Apologetics, I - 77:11
• Van Tilian Apologetics, II - 64:57
• Van Tilian Apologetics, III - 74:46
• Van Tilian Apologetics, IV - 55:41

(original audio found at WTS Resources)

Listen to an interview about the book here.

Enjoy.