Gordon H. Clark: Personal Recollections

by John W. Robbins

He has been called the dean of American Christian philosophers, he penned more than forty books during his long lifetime, and he taught thousands of students at half a dozen colleges and seminaries, yet few people know much about Gordon Clark. Worse, the little that people "know" is often wrong. In Gordon H. Clark: Personal Recollections, John Robbins has collected the memories of twenty people who were acquainted with Clark as a boy, a young man, a teacher, a father, and a friend. The result is a fascinating glimpse - or twenty fascinating glimpses - of a man whose theology and philosophy will shape the future of both disciplines for decades to come. If you have not read the works Gordon H. Clark, you have missed one of America's greatest theologians and a unique opportunity. If you have read his works, or if you simply have heard of the man and would like to know more, this book is a good place to start.

Genres: Biography

150 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1989

About the author

Dr. Robbins was a resident of Unicoi County, Tennessee. Born and reared in Pennsylvania, he received his A. B. from Grove City College (Pennsylvania) in 1969, cum laude, with Highest Honors in Political Science. He pursued graduate studies at The Johns Hopkins University (Maryland), earning his Masters in Political Theory (1970) at age 21, and his Doctorate in Philosophy and Political Theory (1973) at age 24.

In 1973 Dr. Robbins became Legislative Assistant to a Member of Congress from Indiana, Earl Landgrebe, and subsequently worked, over the next 20 years, in several capacities for several public policy institutions: The Heritage Foundation (Economic Analyst), The Templeton Foundation (Consultant), Western Islands (Editor), Tax Reform Immediately (National Director), The Foundation for Economic Education (Editor of The Freeman), and The Institute for Policy Innovation (President). He served as Legislative Assistant (1976, 1979-1981) and Chief of Staff (1981-1985) to a Member of Congress from Texas, Dr. Ron Paul.

In 1977 Dr. Robbins founded a Christian think tank, The Trinity Foundation, and under his direction The Foundation has published 75 books, 180 lectures, and 275 essays; hosted conferences and seminars in several states; and published a monthly newsletter for over 30 years.

Dr. Robbins wrote several books, hundreds of essays, and lectured or taught at several institutions of higher education, including Harvard University, the University of Colorado, the University of Texas, Biola University, College of the Southwest, Western Reformed Seminary, and Chesapeake Seminary. He was a member of two academic societies, the Evangelical Theological Society and the Evangelical Philosophical Society.

Dr. Robbins was elected and ordained Elder in the Presbyterian Church of America, and licensed to preach by Westminster Presbytery, but he left that denomination because of its failure to discipline teachers who were teaching a different gospel. He was an elder in a Reformed congregation called Reformation Church.

Reviews

[Steven H · Rating 5 out of 5]

A VARIETY OF PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS OF THE CALVINIST PHILOSOPHER

Gordon Haddon Clark (1902-1985) was an American philosopher and Calvinist theologian, who was chairman of the Philosophy Department at Butler University for 28 years. He wrote many books. Editor John Robbins wrote in the Foreword to this 1989 book, "This present book is a series of essays by those who knew Clark, essays that I had solicited in anticipation of deaths among those who had known Clark for much of his life... I thought it would be best to let them tell their stories in their own words."

Clark's son-in-law wrote, "I asked if he had any problems at all with predestination. His answer... was that he did not know of any doctrine that did not present a problem to him." (Pg. 28)

Robbins himself wrote that "I remember asking him in late 1972 or early 1973 where I should apply for a teaching job. He advised me not to seek a job at a religious college, for I would be afforded more freedom to teach and write at a private secular school. I presumed then that he was recalling his unfortunate experience at Wheaton College..." (Pg. 97)

Another essay observes about the infamous Clark/Van Til controversy, "Van Til felt that (Clark's) 'systematic consistency' test for truth had led them into a compromise with unbelief... He really loved Gordon Clark dearly (Clark assured me of his feeling that the opposition was NOT personal, that Van Til loved him very much)--but he feared that (if) the 'old' apologetics... (was) not replaced by his suggested 'Presuppositional Thinking,' (it) would work again to the same destruction." (Pg. 101)

Another essayist recounts an interview Clark had with Herman Dooyeweerd, "in which he asked whether there was absolute truth. Dooyeweerd replied in the negative. Clark wrote on a piece of paler: 'There is no absolute truth,' handed it to Dooyeweerd and asked, 'Is what is written absolute truth?'" Dooyeweerd just smiled. (Pg. 117) Still another essayist states that "Philosophy, for Dr. Clark, was an act of worship, and this is what he taught all his students." (Pg. 135)

This book of remembrances will be of great interest to anyone interested in Clark's philosophy and writings.

[Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes, the Trinity Foundations' obsession with EVERYONE being beyond the pale is in ironic contrast to Clark's own approach. But this is one book of theirs really worth reading. Nothing earthshattering here, just simple testimonies of people great and small who were touched by Dr. Clark. Some are homeshold names (Carl Henry, Ruth Graham Bell), others are obscure, but all testify to the intense devotion, brilliant mind, and tender heart they encountered. Some knew Dr. Clark as a PhD philosophy student at Univ of Penn., some as a Presbyterian pastor, some as a professor at Wheaton College, some as family members, some as childhood friends, but all saw a humble servant of Christ.

I especially enjoyed the testimonies of Presbyterian heros Ed Clowney (pres. of Westminster Seminary), Ronald Nash (RTS Orlando prof), and John W. Sanderson (Covenant Seminary).

It reminds us how heartbreaking his witch trial by the OPC was.

[John Dekker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read the review: Nobody seemed to like him much but we think he's great