Reformed Baptist Apologetics

Today I discovered an article that ties in nicely with my previous post on the BCF's and WCF's views of the self-authenticating nature of the Bible and the presuppositional method of apologetics that is based on these views. It is especially valuable because it is written by a Reformed Baptist pastor and seminary professor.

"The Self-Authenticating Character of the Scriptures" from Apologetics-- Part Four : Practical Conclusions--Presuppositionalism Systematically Presented and Explained" by Samuel Waldron

Here is another article that talks about the necessity of having Christian presuppositions for ethics

"Futility in Non-Christian Ethics and Choices in Christian Ethical Systems" by Samuel Waldron

Scripture Alone: The Presuppositional Apologetics of the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith and the 1646 Westminster Confession of Faith

From the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith CH 1 "Of the Holy Scriptures" we have the following declarations:

1.4 Holy Scripture demands belief, yet its authority does not depend on the testimony of any person or church, [1] but entirely on God its author, who is truth itself. Therefore it is to be received because it is the Word of God. [2]

1. Luke 16:27-31 Galatians 1:8-9 Ephesians 2:20
2. 2 Timothy 3:15 Romans 1:2 Romans 3:2 Acts 2:16 Acts 4:25 Matthew 13:35 Romans 9:17 Galatians 3:8 Romans 15:4 1 Corinthians 10:11 Matthew 22:32 Luke 16:17 Matthew 22:41ff John 10:35 Galatians 3:16 Acts 1:16 Acts 2:24ff Acts 13:34-35 John 19:34-36 John 19:24 Luke 22:37 Matthew 26:54 John 13:18 2 Timothy 3:16 2 Peter 1:19-21 Matthew 5:17-18 Matthew 4:1-11

1.9 The infallible rule for the interpretation of Scripture is Scripture itself. Therefore, when there is a question about the true and full sense of any [part of] Scripture (which is not a miscellany, but a unity) it must be understood in the light of other passages that speak more clearly. [1]

1. Isaiah 8:20 John 10:34-36 Acts 15:15-16

Similarly, the 1646 Westminster Confession of Faith in CH 1 "Of the Holy Scripture" declares:

IV. The authority of the Holy Scripture, for which it ought to be believed, and obeyed, depends not upon the testimony of any man, or Church; but wholly upon God (who is truth itself) the author thereof: and therefore it is to be received, because it is the Word of God.[9]

IX. The infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture is the Scripture itself: and therefore, when there is a question about the true and full sense of any Scripture (which is not manifold, but one), it must be searched and known by other places that speak more clearly.[23]

Thus, both Confessions hold to the self-authenticating nature of Scripture, that is, that its authority is based solely on the fact that is is the Word of God. Thus Scripture does not need to be defended by anything outside of itself, but is rather to be proclaimed as God's revelation of His truth.

The most prominent apologetic method that presupposes the truth of God's Word is presuppositional apologetics. Presuppositional apologetics argues that knowledge itself is impossible without presupposing the God of the Bible and the truth of His Word, The Bible. The most prominent proponents of this method of apologetics were Cornelius Van Til and Greg Bahnsen.
Related websites:


http://www.vantil.info/

Presuppositional Apologetics (articles from Monergism)

Reformed Apologetics