The logo of this website is an image of two white circles connected by two white lines with a green background. What is this image? Why did I choose it for the website? Let me explain the meaning of the image and then you will understand why I use it. If you have read or listened to any of the content on this website you know that I believe the presuppositional method of apologetics is the most Biblical. While elements of this form of apologetics can be found throughout church history, Cornelius Van Til is largely responsible for developing it into the school of apologetics we know today. While a professor at Westminster Theological Seminary, Van Til would draw the two circle diagram in class.
“Van Til . . . always taught that a Christian worldview should be represented by two circles (for Creator and creature), clearly distinct from one another, with the larger one (representing God) on top. One circle alone referred to the non-Christian worldview, in which man and God (if he exists) are on the same level, part of one reality.” John Frame, Cornelius Van Til: An Analysis of His Thought, (Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing, 1995), p. 27.
This diagram illustrates a very important truth of the Christian faith. God is the Creator and is distinct from the creation. As the Creator He is sovereign over it and all truth is derived from Him. He alone is the authority. On the other hand, unbelieving worldviews, if they acknowledge any kind of god, place man on the same plane of existence as god. Those who deny the existence of God will replace Him with science, human reason, or something else, which effectively becomes their god.
The two lines that connect the two circles in the representation of the Christian worldview signify God’s works of creation and providence. Van Til stated,
“The doctrines of creation and providence imply that God originates and arranges all the facts of the universe according to a “logic” that is above man. Man’s systems must therefore be consciously analogical to the system of God.” The Reformed View of Education, http://www.the-highway.com/articleFeb04.html, accessed 7/16/10.
We must think God’s thoughts after Him. All truth is derived from Him. The facts of the universe are derived from Him and have no meaning apart from Him.
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. God is the uncreated Creator. He is from everlasting to everlasting (Psalm 90:2). He alone is worthy of praise and adoration. As His creatures, we should take every thought captive to Him. However, as fallen creatures, we can only do so if we have been saved by the work of the only begotten Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ.
I use this image to remind me and anyone who visits the site of these vital truths.
Note: A helpful resource for understanding Van Til’s thought is Van Til Diagrammed. The image used in this post is courtesy of that website.
I just found this website today from Creation Conversations. I like this article on Van Til. I think it’s important to realize, which you do, that unless man’s worldview, or presuppositions are actually changed, no evidence will matter to them.
@Justin
Thank you for your kind words.
Indeed, “no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” The evidence for God is all around us (Psalm 19; Romans 1). It takes the eyes of faith to truly see it. I am thankful that God has raised up faithful me like Cornelius Van Til to help us understand and apply these truths.
Thanks for checking out the site. If you ever have any ideas for an article or a podcast topic, please let me know. You can reach me at:
takingeverythoughtcaptive@gmail.com