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Against All Opposition: Defending the Christian Worldview
This book is a game-changer. It is THE apologetics manual from THE master apologist.
"We must not be satisfied to present Christianity as the most reliable position to hold among the competing options available. Rather, the Christian faith is the only reasonable outlook available to men." — Dr. Greg L. Bahnsen
Based on lectures that Dr. Bahnsen gave to students in 1991, this book clearly and simply shows how to defend the Christian faith.
An apologetic methodology that claims Christians should be "open," "objective," and "tolerant" of all opinions when they defend the Christian faith is like a person who plans to stop a man from committing suicide by taking the hundred-story plunge with him, hoping to convince the lost soul on the way down.
No one in his right mind would make such a concession to foolishness. But Christians do it all the time when they adopt the operating presuppositions of unbelievers. There are no "neutral" assumptions about reality.
The starting point is the God of the Bible. The Bible begins with this foundational presupposition: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Gen. 1:1).
Against All Opposition lays out the definitive apologetic model to help believers understand the biblical method of defending the Christian faith.
"We must not be satisfied to present Christianity as the most reliable position to hold among the competing options available. Rather, the Christian faith is the only reasonable outlook available to men." — Dr. Greg L. Bahnsen
Based on lectures that Dr. Bahnsen gave to students in 1991, this book clearly and simply shows how to defend the Christian faith.
An apologetic methodology that claims Christians should be "open," "objective," and "tolerant" of all opinions when they defend the Christian faith is like a person who plans to stop a man from committing suicide by taking the hundred-story plunge with him, hoping to convince the lost soul on the way down.
No one in his right mind would make such a concession to foolishness. But Christians do it all the time when they adopt the operating presuppositions of unbelievers. There are no "neutral" assumptions about reality.
The starting point is the God of the Bible. The Bible begins with this foundational presupposition: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Gen. 1:1).
Against All Opposition lays out the definitive apologetic model to help believers understand the biblical method of defending the Christian faith.
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
6 people are currently reading
370 people want to read
About the author
Greg L. Bahnsen
77 books146 followersGreg L. Bahnsen was an influential Calvinist Christian philosopher, apologist, and debater. He was an ordained minister in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church and a full time Scholar in Residence for the Southern California Center for Christian Studies.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
April 11, 2023
Genuinely blessed by this book!
Bahnsen covers logic, philosophy and major world religions. But most importantly he equips the reader to engage these world views with a presuppositional apologetic. In short, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”(Prov. 9:10) and without that as the starting point all our philosophy, religion and logic are completely bankrupt.
Bahnsen covers logic, philosophy and major world religions. But most importantly he equips the reader to engage these world views with a presuppositional apologetic. In short, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”(Prov. 9:10) and without that as the starting point all our philosophy, religion and logic are completely bankrupt.
July 31, 2020
This book was my first foray into apologetics, and what a treat it was to read. Dr. Bahnsen does such a good job laying the groundwork at the beginning, treating the reader as if they were a Christian freshman (while not being patronizing) and growing the reader's knowledge on how to defend the truth of Scripture against...well...all opposition!
I would recommend this book to anyone looking to know how to better answer the Mormon at the door, or your Islamic friend at university, and especially the woke "atheist" who thinks that they don't really believe in any higher authority. Bahnsen is kind, even to the unbeliever, and will teach the reader to be as well.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking to know how to better answer the Mormon at the door, or your Islamic friend at university, and especially the woke "atheist" who thinks that they don't really believe in any higher authority. Bahnsen is kind, even to the unbeliever, and will teach the reader to be as well.
November 29, 2020
Want to read a book on what does Pesuppositional Apologetics looks like especially with its application? This book is published by American Vision that is edited from the audio teachings of the last Greg Bahnsen of a conference called Life Preparation Conference during the 1990s sponsored by American Vision. Greg Bahnsen is one of my favorite apologists and reading this latest book made me remember all the reasons I love about Bahnsen: He was biblically driven, worldview conscious, laid out his presentation clearly and rigorous in his refutation of unbelieving worldview.
For those who are reading this review and wondering if this is the same thing as the earlier book Pushing the Antithesis, this book is actually different than Pushing the Antithesis. Bahnsen taught three different annual conferences with American Vision and this book is an adaption of a different year than the one that the book Pushing the Antithesis is based upon. I thought this present book Against All Opposition was beneficial and stated somethings new that I didn’t find in other works by Bahnsen especially the part of breaking down other worldviews besides atheism by building blocks.
The book consists of eleven chapters. Chapters one through five lays the foundation of Presuppositonal Apologetics. Chapter one is titled “Fath or Reason?” Chapter two argues that everyone think with presuppositions while chapter three is titled “Foundational Faith” and chapter four focuses on reasoning as a Christian. Chapter presents a devastating critique of the impossibility of neutrality, a hallmark of Presuppositional apologetics. Chapters six discusses what is philosophy then from chapters seven onwards we see Bahnsen pursue refutations of false worldviews beginning with explanations of various worldviews, a chapter that refutes atheism, a chapter on other religions and counterfeit version of Christianity. In between the chapter on atheism and other religions there’s a chapter titled “The unbeliever is a Believer” and I thought it was probably the best explanation I heard from anyone about the nature of unbelievers suppressing the truth and it was the most in-depth discussion I have found while Bahnsen also gave a very good illustration that I think was non-technical and easy to understand for everyday people. I personally felt that chapter alone was worth buying the book. Bahnsen has spent considerable time and energy thinking about the philosophical issue of self-deception since that was his doctoral dissertation topic for his PhD in philosophy at University of Southern California.
As I said earlier in the review there’s a lot of materials that was fresh even if you are a big fan of Bahnsen and read some of his other works. I love how he covered the building blocks of worldviews which I think is helpful for readers to refute any worldview that comes against the Christians. Specifically Bahnsen in chapter seven talked about monism, dualism, materialistic atomism, and pragmatism/skepticism. Of course with each he talked about some varieties or manifestation of these. That was very helpful and laid out well before Bahnsen goes out to refute them later in chapter seven and also subsequent chapters. I thought Bahnsen’s refutation was much more “sesame street” style than I ever remembered it in other books, which is a big plus. Honestly this book was refreshing to read. I highly recommend it.
For those who are reading this review and wondering if this is the same thing as the earlier book Pushing the Antithesis, this book is actually different than Pushing the Antithesis. Bahnsen taught three different annual conferences with American Vision and this book is an adaption of a different year than the one that the book Pushing the Antithesis is based upon. I thought this present book Against All Opposition was beneficial and stated somethings new that I didn’t find in other works by Bahnsen especially the part of breaking down other worldviews besides atheism by building blocks.
The book consists of eleven chapters. Chapters one through five lays the foundation of Presuppositonal Apologetics. Chapter one is titled “Fath or Reason?” Chapter two argues that everyone think with presuppositions while chapter three is titled “Foundational Faith” and chapter four focuses on reasoning as a Christian. Chapter presents a devastating critique of the impossibility of neutrality, a hallmark of Presuppositional apologetics. Chapters six discusses what is philosophy then from chapters seven onwards we see Bahnsen pursue refutations of false worldviews beginning with explanations of various worldviews, a chapter that refutes atheism, a chapter on other religions and counterfeit version of Christianity. In between the chapter on atheism and other religions there’s a chapter titled “The unbeliever is a Believer” and I thought it was probably the best explanation I heard from anyone about the nature of unbelievers suppressing the truth and it was the most in-depth discussion I have found while Bahnsen also gave a very good illustration that I think was non-technical and easy to understand for everyday people. I personally felt that chapter alone was worth buying the book. Bahnsen has spent considerable time and energy thinking about the philosophical issue of self-deception since that was his doctoral dissertation topic for his PhD in philosophy at University of Southern California.
As I said earlier in the review there’s a lot of materials that was fresh even if you are a big fan of Bahnsen and read some of his other works. I love how he covered the building blocks of worldviews which I think is helpful for readers to refute any worldview that comes against the Christians. Specifically Bahnsen in chapter seven talked about monism, dualism, materialistic atomism, and pragmatism/skepticism. Of course with each he talked about some varieties or manifestation of these. That was very helpful and laid out well before Bahnsen goes out to refute them later in chapter seven and also subsequent chapters. I thought Bahnsen’s refutation was much more “sesame street” style than I ever remembered it in other books, which is a big plus. Honestly this book was refreshing to read. I highly recommend it.
December 2, 2022
This is a primer for those wishing to check out presuppositional methodology apologetics from one of the most well-known apologists, Greg Bahnsen. This review is coming from someone who has read and identified as a presuppositionalist for several years now so this review will be skewed in that direction.
To give a meta-overview, this is coming from lectures that Bahsen gave to students so the structure might not seem as full-fledged and complete as a primer would be. Gary Demar gives an introduction into the contents as well as the man. However, the book needed an Epilogue where it summed up the contents or encouraged the reader to check out more or something about the change in apologetics from 1991 to book publish. However the book just - ends. A discussion on other religious worldviews and then end. Even just a "thanks for checking it out" post-script would have been something.
So since the book is lectures the critique of flow and content might be a bit off. Still, the first part of this book (chapters 1 to 7) give an overview of presuppositionalism and the second part (chapters 8 to 11) are looking at competing worldviews. I would have liked to seem a bit more and a deeper dive into concepts of the first half. There is some very Bahsen takes on epistemology (how we know what we know) but it would have been even better to have a deeper dive into faith as an epistemology. There is also some lack of answering critiques against the method.
However, Bahnsen, per usual, establishes the point that a non-neutral start on both sides take place and to believe otherwise either gives up too much ground to the other person or is just plain wrong. The encouragement for the Christian to reason from his/her basic worldview in the theonomist understanding of the Bible being the necessary starting point is honed in.
The second part of the book is fine where the comparison between the Christian worldview and others is done - along with an internal critique on Islam, Mormonism, Hare Krishnas, etc. I can understand the help that it is and why it was done but it does seem to be a different book or could have been worked into the other chapters. Again, with this being lectures originally that may not mean a lot. And the critique of atheism (chapter 8) gives a lot of great points like the problem of induction, deductive inferences, and materialism critiques make a lot of great points.
I would put this up there with others for getting people interested and used to the presuppositional method. Others including:
- The Ultimate Proof For Creation by Jason Lisle
- Finding Truth by Nancy Pearcy
Overall, a well-rounded orientation from a man who did amazing work and needed to write more but inspired many to fill the spot.
Final Grade - B+
To give a meta-overview, this is coming from lectures that Bahsen gave to students so the structure might not seem as full-fledged and complete as a primer would be. Gary Demar gives an introduction into the contents as well as the man. However, the book needed an Epilogue where it summed up the contents or encouraged the reader to check out more or something about the change in apologetics from 1991 to book publish. However the book just - ends. A discussion on other religious worldviews and then end. Even just a "thanks for checking it out" post-script would have been something.
So since the book is lectures the critique of flow and content might be a bit off. Still, the first part of this book (chapters 1 to 7) give an overview of presuppositionalism and the second part (chapters 8 to 11) are looking at competing worldviews. I would have liked to seem a bit more and a deeper dive into concepts of the first half. There is some very Bahsen takes on epistemology (how we know what we know) but it would have been even better to have a deeper dive into faith as an epistemology. There is also some lack of answering critiques against the method.
However, Bahnsen, per usual, establishes the point that a non-neutral start on both sides take place and to believe otherwise either gives up too much ground to the other person or is just plain wrong. The encouragement for the Christian to reason from his/her basic worldview in the theonomist understanding of the Bible being the necessary starting point is honed in.
The second part of the book is fine where the comparison between the Christian worldview and others is done - along with an internal critique on Islam, Mormonism, Hare Krishnas, etc. I can understand the help that it is and why it was done but it does seem to be a different book or could have been worked into the other chapters. Again, with this being lectures originally that may not mean a lot. And the critique of atheism (chapter 8) gives a lot of great points like the problem of induction, deductive inferences, and materialism critiques make a lot of great points.
I would put this up there with others for getting people interested and used to the presuppositional method. Others including:
- The Ultimate Proof For Creation by Jason Lisle
- Finding Truth by Nancy Pearcy
Overall, a well-rounded orientation from a man who did amazing work and needed to write more but inspired many to fill the spot.
Final Grade - B+
June 14, 2020
An excellent resource on Christian Apologetics. American Vision did a wonderful job editing and reformatting Bahnsen’s collection of lectures given to high school and college students. Even if you are not specifically presuppositional in your apologetic method, this is still worth a read with many brilliant arguments defending the truth of who God is. Bahnsen was a brilliant philosopher and you receive a refreshing taste of it when reading this book. Highly recommend!
May 18, 2023
A great apologetic resource. Based on transcripts on Dr. Bahnsen's lectures, it tends to be easier to follow than his writings. It clearly lays out the case for the Christian worldview as the only worldview that accounts for the preconditions of intelligibility. He also demonstrates the arbitrary, inconsistent and self-contradictory nature of other types of worldviews and shows how to help uncover these and point unbelievers to Christ. This provides a piece I felt was lacking in "Always Ready". I highly recommend this book!
April 22, 2022
An excellent toolbox of presuppositional apologetics.
4.2022 Listened to it this time, and added a star. Hard to beat for a concise intro to presupp apologetics.
4.2022 Listened to it this time, and added a star. Hard to beat for a concise intro to presupp apologetics.
November 3, 2020
As a reluctant presuppositionalist, this is now my new go-to book for introductory apologetics in general, and presuppositionalism in particular. Extremely accessible and understandable, Dr. Bahnsen once again speaks clearly posthumously. Great, small book.
September 30, 2021
Part of the curriculum for my Apologetics class at Logos Online School. Helpful introductory book to presuppositional apologetics.
October 26, 2021
This is an excellent introductory work for presuppositional apologetics. Very useful for a Sunday school series. The discussion questions at the end of each chapter are very helpful. Always Ready used to be my go to Bahnsen introduction but I believe I will be recommending this from now on.
May 15, 2023
THE introduction to presuppositional apologetics. Absolutely phenomenal!
August 2, 2021
Great primer on presuppositional apologetics. Content is fantastic and incredibly helpful.
My only complaint is that I feel like there could have been slightly more editing to help translate the lectures into the new medium of book--sometimes it reads a little confusing because it comes from lecture transcripts.
My only complaint is that I feel like there could have been slightly more editing to help translate the lectures into the new medium of book--sometimes it reads a little confusing because it comes from lecture transcripts.
December 15, 2020
The study of apologetics is one of my favorite exercises to do in all of life and it is by far, one of the most rewarding things I have ever done and continually do. I have read many books from many authors, and especially from varying viewpoints. I've listened to many lectures, debates, presentations, etc., and yet and as I take stock of all that I have read, watched and listened to, I keep going back to Greg Bahnsen and the material that he has produced. His manner of explanation, instruction and the attention he places to detail is extraordinary. His ability to take the complex into simplicity is astonishing and refreshing. His work, 'Against All Opposition: Defending the Christian Worldview' is no exception to the rule. Whether he is simplifying Descartes or Kant and taking what could appear to be high and lofty philosophy and teaching/providing it so that a non philosophical expert could understand, is a gift. And this is precisely what you get in this gem of a book. This book is introductory enough for one to have their appetite wet to read further & it has depth wherein one could appreciate the presuppositional method of doing apologetics and worldview exercises. I can't recommend this book enough!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 2, 2025
Very good, overall. This is the first of a trio of book-length assemblages of Bahnsen's material that has been (re)published in recent years by American Vision. (Greg Bahnsen, for those who might not be familiar, was perhaps the most celebrated disciple of Cornelius Van Til, and did much to further the latter's presuppositional method of Christian apologetics, especially in well-publicized public debates with noteworthy atheists such as Gordon Stein, prior to his untimely death in 1995 at the age of 47.) I believe the material here is drawn from lectures given by Bahnsen, and the transition from that format to book form is sometimes a bit ragged. (Chapter 7 is probably the roughest in this regard, where the hierarchical framework organizing the information begs to be presented with more clarity.) And there are a few instances here and there where I find myself thinking that the tack Bahnsem seems to anticipate certain specific, topical dialogues and debates taking is not exactly the same one that I, given my own (more limited, to be sure) experience with such conversations, would expect. But those are minor complaints; there is much to learn here with profit for those seeking to sharpen their apologetical mettle.
Also, for the record, when it comes to the in-house debate between apologetical methodologies (classical vs. presuppositional), I don't see it as a clear cut, either-or choice. I think that both methodologies represent a good set of tools to have available within the larger chest, with each to be employed as the situation seems to warrant.
Also, for the record, when it comes to the in-house debate between apologetical methodologies (classical vs. presuppositional), I don't see it as a clear cut, either-or choice. I think that both methodologies represent a good set of tools to have available within the larger chest, with each to be employed as the situation seems to warrant.
August 26, 2021
Superb. This is a clear and concise presentation of the presuppositional apologetic method. As Cornelius Van Til's leading student and interpreter, Bahnsen proved long ago that he was able to scrutinize the most challenging aspects of presuppositional thought and discuss them at the highest level (see Van Til's Apologetic: Readings and Analysis). Specialists who can communicate well to laypeople are fairly unusual. But the lectures in this book prove Bahnsen was able to make these concepts accessible to nonspecialists, too. Highly recommended.
December 17, 2022
A good primer on the basic tenets of presuppositionalism. Bahnsen covers the claim that faith is contrary to reason, presuppositions and their relation to thinking, Biblical principles for thought and apologetics, the myth of neutrality, philosophy (metaphysics, epistemology, and ethics), and the Christian refutation to atheistic materialism, spiritual dualism (i.e. Platonic), and other false religions, whether they be polytheistic, unitarian, or pseudo-Messianic.
A solid introduction to presuppositionalism and for me a helpful revisiting of some of the ideas I had covered in the past.
A solid introduction to presuppositionalism and for me a helpful revisiting of some of the ideas I had covered in the past.
August 15, 2020
This is an excellent introduction to presuppositional apologetics. I have listened to the lectures this book is based off of and feel the editors did a great job in presenting it in a readable format. This book provides an introduction to philosophy and logic that is more digestible than other books I’ve read like this. Bahnsen roots his apologetic method in scripture. This book will give you an understanding of the presuppositional method. Whether or not you agree with it will be up to you.
July 26, 2020
Amazing! This will probably my go to book to recommend to people as an introduction to Christian apologetics. Bahnsen is an amazing author and thinker. He breaks down the concepts clearly, has thoughtful questions for discussion and helpful glossary of terms at the end of every chapter.
This would be great for a small group to go through together!
This would be great for a small group to go through together!
October 7, 2021
My first read into presuppositional apologetics. It's a good primer for it. Greg Bahnsen is a hidden gem in strengthening faith. Everyone has presuppositions, and this book does a great job of showing how modern apologetics puts man in the judge's position instead of realizing without the God of The Bible, the preconditions of intelligibility are impossible to meet.
November 30, 2021
A good intro to presuppositional apologetics. I also really liked that Bahnsen never lost track of the main goal of apologetics. While making the case that biblical faith is never absurd, he also steered clear of making an appearance of rationality/reasonableness an idol. I appreciated that he often reminded readers that eternity is at stake for their debate opponents.
August 31, 2020
This is a really good book on apologetics. It teaches you to get to the foundation or core philosophy of what people really believe and how to dismantle the opposition. Read this with my son and it really helped clarify people's worldview and presuppositions.
I highly recommend this book.
I highly recommend this book.
October 22, 2020
Excellent content. Redundant writing and choppy style. But definitely worth reading for the central ideas. With a good editor and a little abridgment, this book could be substantially shortened and still cover the same amount of information more concisely.
July 15, 2021
Did you think I'd give a book from Bahnsen anything less than 5 stars? Seemed like most of the content came from his lectures on the philosophy of Christianity. But it's classic Bahnsen and a great intro to presupp apologetics.
July 30, 2021
Listened on the Canon Press app. Really excellent intro to presupp apologetics and Bahnsen is truly the master of applying this technique. Would be delighted to listen again and read more by the author.
October 27, 2022
This was good, but I'm not sure if it was as practical as I was hoping. I'm not in a place where I will be challenged so outright like from an atheist professor, etc. I need to think about it a little more.
September 13, 2020
Good book. Physically, I really liked it -- the spine stayed together. Lots of typos.
October 19, 2020
Good, but not as thorough as most of Bahnsen's work. But, because this is a collection of lectures, that is to be expected.
October 20, 2020
Absolutely,hands down, the best introduction to presuppositional Apologetics
July 24, 2021
Fantastic book. I listened to it on Canon app and plan on giving it a second go to pick up what fell through the cracks.
August 19, 2021
I love Bahnsen because he is ridiculously intelligent but is able to bring all of that information down and make it accessible to the average Joe. Every Christian needs to read this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews