155. William Dennison on Van Til and the Problem of Evil

In this episode, we welcome back Dr. William Dennison to discuss the new book The Problem of Evil by Christian and Reformed philosopher Cornelius Van TIl. Dr. Dennison has edited this previously unpublished work, and written a very helpful introductory essay to aid the reader in seeing the relevance of Van Til's essay to more contemporary discussions. Dr. D frames both some believing and non-believing attempts at addressing and answering the problem of evil - or the origins of evil, and its implications. How we address the question is framed by our starting points, and our epistemological commitments (whether stated or unstated, consistent or otherwise) will structure how we prioritize aspects of the issue. Dr. Dennison takes us on a tour of the issue, beginning with the question: “Does Christianity have an Achilles’ heel?” How did Van Til frame this same question – and what were some of the highlights of his analysis. Van Til's most poignant and quotable line of the essay is that "God is his own theodicy". Dr. D helps us understand the wisdom of such a point, in spite of what some may superficially see as eluding the problem.

Book: The Problem of Evil by Cornelius Van Til

Check out: Emmanuel Orthodox Presbyterian Church (also here and here)

Other writings by Dr. D:

• Karl Marx (also hear our previous interview: here)
• The Young Bultmann: The Context for His Understanding of God, 1884-1925
• Paul’s Two-Age Construction and Apologetics
• In Defense of the Eschaton: Essays in Reformed Apologetics

- including: “Common Grace, Antithesis and Plato’s View of the Soul”

Other resources:

• Confessions; The CIty of God by Augustine
• Reformed Dogmatics by Herman Bavinck
• Biblical Theology by Geerhardus Vos
• Greg Bahnsen: here and here
• “To See Darkness, To Hear Silence”: St. Augustine, Herman Bavinck, and the Incomprehensibility of Evil” by Travis Ryan Pickell
• Evil and the Cross by Henri Blocher