In this installment of Van Til Group, we turn to pp. 73–77 of Cornelius Van Til’s classic book, The Defense of the Faith. In this section, Van Til critiques both Roman Catholicism and certain strands of Evangelicalism for their approach to human autonomy and the nature of sin.
Van Til argues that Roman Catholicism, as represented by Thomas Aquinas, assigns too much autonomy to human consciousness, even before the Fall, which undermines the Scriptural notion of authority and total depravity. He contends that Aquinas views fallen man as not entirely different from Adam in paradise, thus diminishing the need for grace.
Similarly, Van Til criticizes C.S. Lewis, representing a segment of Evangelical thought, for conflating metaphysical and ethical issues and for not adequately emphasizing human disobedience to God as the root of ethical problems. Both perspectives, according to Van Til, fail to uphold the biblical doctrine that only through faith and complete reliance on the triune God of Scripture can true ethical behavior be achieved.
Chapters
- 00:00:07 Introduction
- 00:04:48 Support Reformed Forum
- 00:10:35 A Christian Philosophy of Behavior
- 00:18:48 Roman Catholicism as Halfway between Christianity and Paganism
- 00:28:38 The Relationship between Natural and Special Revelation
- 00:41:36 The Natural vs the Supernatural End of Created Man in Thomistic Theology
- 01:02:45 Evangelicalism and C. S. Lewis’s Views
- 01:13:11 Conclusion
Participants: Camden Bucey, Carlton Wynne, Lane G. Tipton
Christ the Center focuses on Reformed Christian theology. In each episode a group of informed panelists discusses important issues in order to encourage critical thinking and a better understanding of Reformed doctrine with a view toward godly living. Browse more episodes from this program or subscribe to the podcast feed.
