The Nature and Use of Apologetic Evidences

Reformed theologians have approached the discipline of apologetics from several different vantage points. Proponents of presuppositional, classical, and evidential approaches differ with one another on several important apologetic questions. One primary subject is the nature and proper use of evidences. Should the apologist use historical arguments for the creation, the truthfulness of Scriptures, the resurrection? If so, what role do those evidences play in an apologetic exchange?

Dr. Scott Oliphint recently spoke about apologetics on the Unbelievable? program with Justin Brierley to dialogue with Kurt Jaros about apologetic methodology. The conversation touched upon several different apologetic topics, but perhaps the most interesting exchange focused on the use of evidences. It is often assumed that Van Tilian presuppositional apologists eschew the use of evidences. On this episode of Christ the Center, the panel addresses this common assumption. They demonstrate how a covenantal approach to apologetics not only allows the apologist to use evidence, but also provides the only proper context in which they may be used.

Participants: Camden Bucey, David Filson, Jared Oliphint, Jim Cassidy