"VAN TIL MADE ME REFORMED"

"New Horizons" ^ | October, 2004 | Eric H. Sigward

[blue-duncan]

"No inklings there." Hay, you're not trying to start trouble with the British pub set (Lewis, Tolkein, Williams et al) are you? I mean, that was a close call with the Clark stuff and it is getting late in the day for another go-round.

[Dr. Eckleburg]

LOL. Don't look at me. It's from the article.

"Then I noted that Lewis had a writing coterie called "the Inklings." The next thing I knew, Van Til was bent over in a heap. I asked him if he was well. When he rose up, he was roaring with laughter and had a sunny smile on his face. He said, "Oh, that's funny. That's just what C. S. Lewis's theology is—it's an inkling."

I like some of the comments about Lewis on this thread. He was good, but he could have been much better if he'd gone a little deeper to discover the absolute assurance of God's promise. No inklings. 8~)

[Dr. Eckleburg]

Yes, I suppose it depends on what the definition of the word "good" is.

"But when once the light of Divine Providence has illumined the believer's soul, he is relieved and set free, not only from the extreme fear and anxiety which formerly oppressed him, but from all care. For as he justly shudders at the idea of chance, so he can confidently commit himself to God. This, I say, is his comfort, that his heavenly Father so embraces all things under his power -- so governs them at will by his nod -- so regulates them by his wisdom, that nothing takes place save according to his appointment; that received into his favour, and entrusted to the care of his angels neither fire, nor water, nor sword, can do him harm, except in so far as God their master is pleased to permit." -- Book 1, Chapter 17, Section 11

[blue-duncan]

We are trying to solve a logical problem that takes Alvin Plantinga 110 pages of propositions to resolve in "God, Freedom, and Evil". Ultimately, like Mortimer Adler said, we have to resolve this by a "beyond a reasonable doubt" standard, since that is the limit we have on our understanding do to the fall, and it is up to God to certify the rest.

[blue-duncan]

"I like some of the comments about Lewis on this thread. He was good, but he could have been much better if he'd gone a little deeper to discover the absolute assurance of God's promise. No inklings. 8~)"

Let's not let anyone hear what I am going to say, but you are right. However, Lewis was "seeker friendly" and writing to college students and readers of his fiction, not stiff necked university Profs. Van Til was duking it out with the modernist trash and at the same time teaching "other faithful men (women) who will be able to teach others." Sort of like (shhh, now here it comes) the Warren, Hybels, Piper argument that has been infecting this forum like a computer virus or prophylactic (that's trojan for the more spiritual among us). Have you ever noticed how hard it is to be cynical when listening to Mendelssohn. I'm either going to have to turn on some Dylan or quit posting like this for the night.

[Dr. Eckleburg]

Can't go wrong with Dylan. 8~)

"Well, the howling wolf will howl tonight,
The king snake will crawl,
Trees that've stood for a thousand years
Suddenly will fall...
He could be standing next to you,
The person that you'd notice least.
I hear that sometimes
Satan comes as a man of peace."

Bob Dylan -- "Man of Peace"

[strongbow]

"I would liken Van Til to a thinking man's theologian."

I'll read this article when I get more time. For me "Defense of the faith" was too difficult to get through. I guess I am not a thinking man. Not to denigrate the contents, just my lack of processing acumen.

[Colin MacTavish]

Yes, the beer is good.

Colin.

[George W. Bush]

One of his famous followers, Elizabeth Elliot, once said, "If more people read C. S. Lewis, there would be less need for seminaries."

Perhaps it would be more accurate to say that "If fewer people read C. S. Lewis, there would be less need for seminaries."

I never did understand why Lewis was considered a Christian writer though I did tolerate some blather over him here at FR in the interest of comity. That would be me, the peacemaker, filled with humility.

Maybe I need to get a new handle. How would "Blessed Peacemaker" strike you?