tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772414331480635861.post4841753076849604620..comments2024-03-18T18:19:19.002-07:00Comments on bylogos: Hijacking John Calvin – More Pro Rege Polemics john bylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05766117392831032432noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772414331480635861.post-72745709238971343502020-09-22T20:37:34.353-07:002020-09-22T20:37:34.353-07:00Hi Jim
Thanks for your comments. You make some ve...Hi Jim<br /><br />Thanks for your comments. You make some very interesting observations regarding evidential versus pre-suppositional apologetics and how these relate to epistemology and ethics.john bylhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05766117392831032432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772414331480635861.post-42648870808697418392020-09-22T07:04:11.357-07:002020-09-22T07:04:11.357-07:00It is a matter of history in the modern church tha...It is a matter of history in the modern church that Christian universities who have pursued acceptance among the secular academy have generally liberalized.<br /><br />This is related here in an interesting way to the principles behind different Christian apologetical schools of thought, in particular evidentialism and presuupositionalism. The governing impulse behind evidentialism focuses on epistemology as primary to knowing truth and evidence as primary to epistemology. Therefore, scientific and other academic engagement can be seen as authoritative as the Scriptures they bear witness to. This is where the "two book" principle comes into play. They will acknowledge the theoretical pursuits of classical apologetics and ethical aspects of presuppositionalism, but count knowledge of these things through evidence as primary.<br /><br />Presuppositionalism recognizes a controlled revelational epistemology, both through the Scriptures as well as inherent in human understanding, just as Romans 1-3 acknowledges. What is also taught there is the noetic effects of sin. Therefore, our ethical commitments affect our understanding. That's why I hold that presuppositionalism is focused primarily on ethical concerns. Presuppositionalists will acknowledge the benefits of evidence, noting their use in the Scriptures, and often form arguments after the manner of classical apologists, where the pursuit of biblical metaphysical truths are pursued philosophically.<br /><br />Indeed, the use of evidence is biblical and beneficial, and scientific discovery is necessary. However, it's not primary. It is contingent on our ethical convictions which inform our scientific presuppositions. You can even demonstrate philosophically that scientific analysis of evidence is epistemologically limited, and even some unbelieving philosophers have done so, but no one will fully accept that limitation without properly coming to terms with their own sin.Jim Pembertonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01446388434272680014noreply@blogger.com