The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Complete attack on Van Tillian apologetics

Here is just part of a discussion that I've had recently with a Liberal Theological Professor. This is one of his responses to some of my questions.



First off - He is making it very clear that he is writing me off as a "Fundamentalist." and therefor, I am being quickly relegated to complete non-consideration for future dialog.

Second - The assertion here is that we can not do proper Biblical exegesis and Hermeneutics without the aid of philosophy.

Basically the reasoning here is that the Bible isn't the infallible, inspired Word of an infallible, providential, sovereign, holy and righteous God; but rather a collection of historical documents; written by fallible men who were trying to understand a almost unknowable, transcendent God. So, the Bible then becomes just another fallible guide that points to a mostly unknowable God. So, this then opens up a Christian faith that is open to any medium of knowing God. Everything in a sense now can point to God; any other religion, our feelings and thoughts, i.e., anything written and or expressed by anyone. etc.. etc..

During our conversation, I addressed the topics of Atonement and Final Judgement and Original Sin.

He did not comment on those topics, but instead evaded them and by purposely doing so, affirmed to me that he in fact does not believe in those Biblical truths.

Wow. I'm thinking.... what in the world has people like him made into Christianity? It's absolutely sickening.

I think of all the old preachers who spent most of their time on their knees and in the Word. So much so that when they preached, Scripture would just poor out of them in a continuous flow; sweet like honey. I love listening to the old Reformed Preachers, their absolute love for God's Word and Truth is so precious. I image what they would think if we could show them the state of affairs in the Church today.

Dave,

Your assessment is spot on... deny the divine inspiration and authority of the Bible and you are left with nothing more than human philosophy. Deny the divine inspiration and authority of the Bible and you have NOTHING even remotely related to the one true living GOD.

IF you are not familiar with the writings of Gresham Machen, you should do so. Machen lived in a time when the PCUSA virtually took over Princeton Seminary and had cast off historic Christianity. I would recommend you get yourself a copy of Christianity and Liberalism and read it thoroughly. Even more so, perhaps you could persuade your wife to read it as well. Machen's writing style is very easy to read as he mainly wrote for the 'common man'. There are quite a number of articles on The Highway from the pen of Gresham Machen. You can use the Google search box on the main page, type in "Machen" and you will get the full list. To get you started, you could start here: Prophets False and True.

Language is not static, but ever changing. That professor classified you as a "Fundamentalist" and he is 100% correct. However, his use of the word is far from what is popularly understood. He was NOT saying you are a die-hard Bob Jones fanatic. Rather, he is using the word in its original meaning as coined by the Liberals of the 1920s, which was put upon Gresham Machen and all those who were of the same mind. Basically, a Fundamentalists is one who holds to strict adherence to specific theological doctrines, with the presupposition that the Bible is the inspired, inerrant and infallible Word of God. In his case, he is using it in a pejorative sense. Actually, although that was his obvious intent, it is really a compliment.

Lastly, in regard to your comments in another thread where you brought up the subject of whether or not you should leave the PCUSA. One offered the advice that you should remain there, if for no other reason that for maintaining some semblance of peace in your home. He also said that he thought others here would probably disagree with that counsel. My reply would be a firm "No"! Perhaps with the rare exception, churches within the PCUSA are APOSTATE. They are not simply heretical but more so, they all deny the fundamentals of the faith, even supernaturalism. It is a synagogue of Satan, an enemy of the Most High God, of His Christ. There is no historic Adam, no actual Fall, no Original Sin, no guilt or corruption, no blood atonement, no need for reconciliation, no redemption, no judgment and no hell. In short, they deny historic biblical Christianity in its entirety. So, tell me, what does light have to do with darkness? (2Cor 6:14-18; Col 2:4-15) What possible benefit could be derived from putting yourself under the teaching of an emissary of the Evil One? You cannot and will never be built up in the holy faith, neither you nor especially your wife.

I believe it is your most pressing task at this time to gently, slowly but surely lead your wife into the knowledge of the truth and impress upon her and perhaps even yourself, the present danger of remaining in that 'church'. And lastly, you might seriously consider providing your present location in the Church Locator forum where a good church might be recommended to you which is in your vicinity, D.v.