Turning the Tables on Apologetics: Helmut Thielicke’s Reformation of Christian Conversation

by Jeffrey L. Hamm

Does apologetic method matter? Helmut Thielicke argues that the method should conform to its own message. He thus rejects traditional apologetic methodologies beholden to supposedly neutral scientific and philosophical paradigms. Seeking to reform Christian conversation, Thielicke discovers a lost way of persuasion, that is, the table-turning approach found in Christ's conversations. Whenever Jesus is questioned, he seldom answers directly. For he refuses to allow the conversation to be framed by an autonomous mindset, and instead responds with a counterquestion. Christ's style of persuasion--as the controller of the question--subverts his hearers' presuppositions and challenges their unbelief. This approach is the reverse of the defensive, answer-giving mode of traditional apologetics. In view of renewing Christ's method, Thielicke insists that the task of apologetics is "something which is always on the offensive and, far from giving ready-made answers to the doubtful questions of men, turns the tables by putting questions on its own account--aggressive, violent, radical questions--and striking straight to the hearts of men." Christian conversation must integrate Christ's method with his message in order to advocate the message itself. For it is not the world that questions Christ, but rather Christ questions the world. "Hamm's valuable study of the very heart of Helmut Thielicke's abiding theological legacy expounds what is perhaps the most vigorous and theologically suggestive intervention made in modern theological apologetics in the 20th century. Thorough, clear and persuasive, Hamm's work invites readers to share in the searching reconstruction of the very idea of Christian apologetics that Thielicke himself undertook. Anyone interested in the pressing questions surrounding the effective communication of the Christian gospel will learn much from these pages." --Philip G. Ziegler, Professor of Christian Dogmatics, University of Aberdeen "If you are a student of apologetics, especially of Reformed apologetics, you will want to read this book by Dr. Jeff Hamm. Using the 20th century German theologian Helmut Thielicke as his guide, Dr. Hamm engages the various schools of apologetics and attempts specifically to advance the presuppositional school by arguing that Thielicke 'out-Van-Tils' Cornelius Van Til by arriving at similar conclusions but in a way that is more biblical than philosophical." --Guy M. Richard is Executive Director and Assistant Professor of Systematic Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary in Atlanta Jeff Hamm is the senior minister of ChristChurch Presbyterian in Atlanta, Georgia.

Kindle Edition

Published June 5, 2018

Reviews

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Especially if you have a soul somewhat like that of Martin Luther, a soul that struggles with doubt and even despair, you may find this book profoundly encouraging not only in your apologetic efforts but in understanding what is happening in the depth of your own being. In this work the author presents the approach to apologetics of the great German pastor and theologian Helmut Thielicke and claims that apologetics should not be a great rational effort in which the Christian attempts to subdue his or her conversation partner with a myriad of irrefutable arguments. Rather, apologetics is an opportunity for one human being to enter into a listening conversation with another in which the “faith-crisis” of the believer becomes the basis for a listening conversation.

Hamm argues that Thielicke’s work is an attempt to address three problems of traditional apologetics which have been around since the earliest days of Christian apologetic effort. These include speaking with an unwarranted certainty, an effort to “demonstrate the faith according to the epistemological paradigms of unbelief,” and the tendency to give answers (often to questions that are not even being asked) rather than raising questions that unmask unbelief.

Thielicke believes that Chrsitians are in a position to defend the faith not primarily because they can present strong rational arguments but because they have personally lived Anfechtung, a word that comes from Luther and which Hamm understands to mean a faith-crisis. As in Psalm 73, the Christian looks at the world and it does not appear to be as it should be if God really exists. In that Psalm it is the wicked who prosper while the righteous suffer ongoing affliction. What is wrong? Does God really exist? The author of the Psalm answers that question with the “Nevertheless” (KJV v. 23). He does not believe because he is able to see the work of God in this world, in the midst of a crisis in faith he believes despite the fact that God seems hidden. But it is this very struggle, even to the edge of nihilism, that for Thielicke becomes the basis for effective apologetics. The Christian does not set out to convince another person by using rational arguments to appeal to the mind of that individual. This approach is sure to be fruitless because the mind of the unbeliever is bound by sin and serves to protect human rebellion. Rather, the apologist begins where God himself does when He addresses the human condition, with a question. After the first sin, God asks the man a question, “where are you?” (Gen. 2:9). Jesus, in his incarnation, did the same. When the rich young ruler came to him He asked, “why do you call me good?” Questions call for the asker to look at himself or herself in relationship with the living God, the very goal of apologetics.

There is a lot to think about in the book and since I am far from an expert on the subject, I can’t begin to adequately explain all that is here. Maybe you can find it at a greatly reduced price on Kindle like I did and read it for yourself. If you do, no matter what your apologetic position and approach, this book will make you think.