Van Til and the Use of Evidence

by Thom Notaro

Van Til & the Use of Evidence

136 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1980

Reviews

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good summary and explanation of Van Til's thoughts on how evidences are to be used in Christian apologetics. At least it is a good summary as far as I can tell from what I have read of Van Til. As always, Cornelius Van Til is an incredibly confusing writer, and I would say that apologetics would be better off moving past him, except that he has valuable thoughts on Christian philosophy and worldview that directly affect how one gives a valid defense of Christianity. But as difficult to understand as some of Van Til's work is, his arguments lend themselves well for this type of book, where quotes of Van Til are interspersed with explanations and clarifications of what he is saying. A drawback of this book is that, while the author explains theoretically how evidences should be used, it is still not clear practically how a presuppositional apologist should use evidences in anything like an actual conversation/debate.

[Gary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was curious to read this before I embark on my reading list of works on Classical Apologetics.

It summarises Van Til's approach very well, though it is a little misleading as Van Til doesn't mean by use of evidence what others mean by that term.

Overall, it convinced me further that something is off in Van Til's epistemology.

Okay. Well written.

[Joshua Satterfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book explaining how evidence can be used in a presuppositional way. Could use more concrete examples of how to do so with dialog, rather than keeping things abstract.

[Cbarrett · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a short book that seeks to demonstrate that Van Til was not opposed to evidence in his presuppositional apologetic method by pointing to evidence from Van Til's writing. Notaro, by exposing the reader to multiple evidences, shows that there is a high probability that Van Til was not opposed to evidence. Especially if that evidence is used in a way that Van Til approved. All in all a helpful little book.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great distillation on an often misunderstood teaching of Van Til’s teaching on the place and use of evidences in Christian apologetics. Notaro’s final chapter is a helpful table contrasting Christian and non-Christian thought concerning evidences.

[Jimmy]

Summary of the fact that marshalling evidence is compatiable in the framework of PResuppostional apologetics. THe 'how to' might need to be developed more, but otherwise an excellent book if not the exclusive one that devotes solely to this topic

[Douglas Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good and then some.

[Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid.

[Timothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helpful and clear explanation of Van Til's thinking which is often caricatured or misunderstood.