Rousas John Rushdoony. By What Standard? An Analysis of the Philosophy of Cornelius Van Til. Vallecito, CA: Chalcedon Foundation, August 28, 2012. 216 pp.
4 out of 5
Purchase: Amazon
Are you looking for a book-length introduction to Presuppositional Apologetics? If so this book might be for you! Even if you are a season apologetics that skillfully employ Presuppositional Apologetics this book is still a good resource to read to remind, retain and at times sharpen one’s knowledge of Presuppositional Apologetics as taught by Cornelius Van Til.
This book was originally written in 1958 and was probably one of the first books written to try to popularize the apologetics method of Cornelius Van Til. Van Til who taught at Westminster Theological Seminary is best known as the father of Presuppositional Apologetics. The author of this specific book is one of Van Til’s early disciples. As I read this book I was at awe with how this covered a lot of Van Til’s apologetics theme and insight into both theology and apologetics, and these issues were presented to a general Christian audience decades before Greg Bahnsen came along with his books, audios and debate (Bahnsen is one that people often associate with popularizing Van Til to a larger general Christian audience). How true is the saying that there is nothing new under the sun!
The book consists of fourteen chapters and six appendices. Chapter one as the introduction uses the story of Jacob and Leah to drive home a parable of how Christians need to be careful of merging non-Christian philosophy to Christianity such as Aristoleanism, other Greek philosophy, etc. Also here in this first chapter Rushdoony tells us about what one assume shape’s one’s conclusion. This observation of course is important in the development of Presuppositional Apologetics. Apparently the author though Jacob and Leah was a fitting parable for Presuppositional Apologetics that he mentioned it again in the first appendix titled “The Sons of Leah.” Other chapters in the book include The Christian philosophy of knowledge, the psychology of religion, the issue in Common Grace, the authority of Scripture and the self-Contained God. Another neat parable Rushdoony presents to illustrate what Presuppositional Apologetics is found in chapter 3 which is the famous story of the Emperor has no clothes; the book reminds readers through this story a important application that we must not go with what’s popular but stick to speaking the truth even if it does not make us popular. Also nonbelief truly is bankrupt intellectually when one has a chance driven worldview, it is will destroy
Other topics in the book that I really enjoyed including the challenge to the beliefs one can be totally neutral towards God, there’s also discussion about common grace, authority of Scripture, man being mad in the image of God and Christian ethics. This book is somewhat dated at times such as when Rushdoony speaks about Van Til and Dooyweerd so favorably; of course the two parted ways in some instances and both have different calling.
I do recommend this book.
It’s interesting to read various Rush biographies to find out how much Van Til meant to him and how much he adored Van Til. They corresponded regularly.
When Rush found Van Til’s work, he devoured it and immediately saw the supreme value of what Van Til was doing. If I recall, Rush was ministering to the Indians at that time.
Rush was committed to trying to ease entry into Van Til’s work.
Jim, you are so right, Bahnsen is much more connected with easing/popularizing Van Til’s work – and he should because of the extent and effort of this ministry. Rush was trying to do his part though.
As a tangential factoid, without Rush, we may not have today’s Creation ministries. Why? Dr. Morris’ ‘The Genesis Flood’ was rejected by publishers until Rush got involved and recommended it. Go Rush! Rush did so much work for the church but never got his due.
Thanks for sharing this! I remember reading somewhere in the past that it was Rushdoony that worked it out with the publisher Presbyterian and Reformed to publish The Genesis Flood’ and Rushdoony convincted them to publish it even though it was written by non-Confessional and even an Arminian Christian, which was the first time the publisher P&R did that in their publishing history. And like you said, if it wasn’t for that there would probably not have been Creation apologetics ministry as we think of it today. And if I’m not mistaken since you know more, Bahnsen was also influenced by Rushdoony?
Yes, Bahnsen and Rushdoony worked together. This is very likely why Greg’s strong ministries were Presupp Apologetics and Theonomy. Rush had many periodicals over the year and The Journal of Christian Reconstruction was a big one for which Bahnsen contributed many articles. You hear him refer to him in his teaching series.
It’s a small world.
It’s funny that Rush tried to clearly communicate Van Til to the world – for which I think he was successful; but, it was Bahnsen that did the supreme job of communicating both Van Til AND Rush to the world. Greg really took Rush’s work and built a strong defense around it and communicated it clearly to the world. That cost Greg a lot as Gary North has plainly said that is why Westminster East wouldn’t bring him on staff. So sad.
Thanks for the excellent review and great resource! Have stunning day in paradise.
Thank you, Jim, for introducing us to this book! Blessings to you, Nancy, and your kids!
You are welcome Kent! I was so tired with our night time American Independence celebration yesterday after a day of ministry that began at waking up at 7 AM I barely was finished writing this post! Hope the weather is not too hot or humid for you!
Thanks for this accessible review of a book that I know for certain is way over my T-101 head. Of course, the name of the author caught my attention. I do know that R.J. Rushdoony’s Reconstructionism inspired Francis Schaeffer, who inspired Jerry Falwell and his misguided Moral Majority.
Indeed I often think of Rushdoony association with Schaeffer and often think of our conversation about that! This was written by Rushdoony decades before all of that and I believe he was still a missionary on an Indian reservation when this was written. By the way I think this book you would understand. How is your history fun reading for today??
I finished trimming all of the bushes this morning before it got really hot and sunny here in ROC, did a few errands, and NOW it’s time to sit outside on the patio and read about the…yawn…decline of the nuns. Ach! Only on p. 132 with 200 to go!
How is your rest day starting out?
How did he draw a parable of Jacob and Leah?
Jacob was deceived by Leah so Christians sometimes hold to mistaken worldview thinking its Christianity or compatible with Christianity
While I have heard of Van Til I have not heard of Rushdoony. Appreciate the review by the way.
Thank y ou.
You’re welcome thank you for dropping and commenting on this book review. Have a blessed day Maw Maw, appreciate your support too on the blog’s Facebook page!
Love in Christ my Grandson .
This is cheap on Kindle; I purchased it and believe this is worthwhile
[…] 5.) Review: By What Standard? An Analysis of the Philosophy of Cornelius Van Til […]
There was a podcast book of the month club discussion on this in Jun 2019.
https://chalcedon.edu/resources/audio/by-what-standard-book-of-the-month-club-discussion
I never knew about this book though I have read many Presuppositionalists’ books. My favorite is Jason Lisle’s Ultimate Proof
That’s an excellent pick up. Praise God! 💖💯💖💯💖
[…] By What Standard? An Analysis of the Philosophy of Cornelius Van Til […]
It’s cheap on Kindle
Departing from God the ultimate ism to finish all isms is existentialist Nihilism. Presuppositionalists understands this more than most.
[…] Last year I read and wrote a review of one of the early apologetics books that popularized the method of Presuppositional Apologetics that was taught by Cornelius Van Til here: Review: By What Standard? An Analysis of the Philosophy of Cornelius Van Til […]
I like the cover of the book