Benjamin B. Warfield and Right Reason: The Clarity of General Revelation and Function of Apologetics

Benjamin B. Warfield and Right Reason offers a study of Princeton Theologian Benjamin B. Warfield's view of apologetics and the role of reason in religious belief. In order to understand Warfield's view of "right reason," the book explores the intellectual development of Princeton Theological Seminary, Warfield's debate with Abraham Kuyper over the need for apologetics, and the manner in which Cornelius VanTil attempted to adopt the best from both Warfield and Kuyper. The first chapter examines the influence of Scottish Common Sense Philosophy on Princeton Theological Seminary. This chapter focuses on Charles Hodge and his affirmation that reason can be used to know God. The second chapter concentrates on Warfield and his continuation of the Princeton approach to apologetics. The third chapter considers the challenge raised by Abraham Kuyper and looks at Warfield's response. The final chapter discusses Cornelius VanTil and his attempt to take what he saw as best from Warfield and Kuyper while avoiding potential problems in each. The theme of this book is Warfield's affirmation that the redemptive claims of Christianity must be established by first arguing that there is a God and a need for special revelation. Warfield's approach to apologetics contains the potential to establish the foundation for a natural theology, especially with respect to the existence and nature of God.