In this episode of Christ the Center, Camden Bucey is joined once again by Lane Tipton and Carlton Wynne for a substantive follow-up to their earlier discussion of Keith Mathison’s Toward a Reformed Apologetic: A Critique of the Thought of Cornelius Van Til. In the months since their first review, Dr. Mathison published a blog response, prompting deeper analysis and clarification.
Together, Drs. Bucey, Tipton and Wynne explore key critiques Mathison levels against Van Til, especially the claims of epistemological idealism and the so-called “omniscience requirement” for true knowledge. The panel addresses these concerns with thoughtful care, highlighting Van Til’s emphasis on covenantal epistemology, the distinction between psychological and ethical knowledge, and the non-neutrality of unbelieving thought.
The episode also tackles Mathison’s treatment of common grace and the antithesis—core concepts in Van Til’s apologetic system. Does Van Til teach that unbelievers attain true knowledge by way of common grace? What is the actual function of common grace in a fallen world? And how does Van Til preserve the absolute ethical antithesis between belief and unbelief without denying shared external reality or meaningful engagement?
This is a clarifying and edifying conversation for anyone interested in Reformed theology, presuppositional apologetics, or the legacy of Cornelius Van Til.
Mentioned Resources
- Keith Mathison, Toward a Reformed Apologetics
- Cornelius Van Til, The Defense of the Faith
- Cornelius Van Til, Common Grace and the Gospel
- Follow-up blog post by Dr. Mathison
Topics Covered
- Epistemological holism and the “omniscience thesis”
- Idealist influence and Van Til’s use of borrowed terminology
- The meaning of “true knowledge” in covenantal context
- The image of God, suppression of truth, and natural revelation
- Common grace and its relationship to knowledge and antithesis
- The continuing relevance of Van Til’s apologetic method
Chapters
- 00:00 – Introduction
- 02:56 – Upcoming General Assembly
- 03:45 – Overview of Keith Mathison’s Book and Blog Response
- 05:06 – Main Concerns: Common Grace, Antithesis, and Epistemology
- 07:12 – Van Til’s Doctrine of Knowledge and Ethical Implications
- 09:13 – Response to Mathison’s Critique and Blog Post
- 12:34 – The ‘Omniscience Thesis’ in Dr. Mathison’s Reading
- 17:18 – Clarifying True Knowledge in Van Til’s View
- 23:04 – Idealism, Epistemological Holism, and Formal Influence
- 28:36 – Borrowed Capital vs. Replanting from Idealism
- 33:13 – Ethical Antithesis and Knowledge Suppression
- 42:12 – Common Grace: Misunderstanding and Clarification
- 47:13 – Van Til’s View: Knowledge Precedes Common Grace
- 54:11 – True Knowledge and the Ethical Rebellion of Man
- 59:28 – Common Grace and Inconsistent Suppression
- 66:10 – Antithesis in Every Sphere of Life
- 69:55 – Common Grace Doesn’t Suspend Total Depravity
- 71:48 – Looking Ahead to Reconstructed Theistic Proofs
Participants: Camden Bucey, Carlton Wynne, Lane G. Tipton