Van Til's Apologetic Quotes

“The ‘circularity’ of the transcendental argument is not at all the same as the fallacious ‘circularity’ of an argument in which the conclusion is a restatement (in one form or another) of one of its premises. Rather, it is the circularity involved in a coherent theory (where all the parts are consistent with or assume each other) and which is required when one reasons about a precondition for reasoning.”
― Greg L. Bahnsen, Van Til's Apologetic: Readings and Analysis

“Everybody thinks and reasons in terms of a broad and fundamental understanding of the nature of reality, of how we know what we know, and of how we should live our lives. This philosophy or oulook is “presupposed” by everything the unbeliever (or believer) says; it is the implicit background that gives meaning to the claims and inferences drawn by people.”
― Greg L. Bahnsen, Van Til's Apologetic: Readings and Analysis

“Apologetics involves a conflict over ultimate authorities — that is, a conflict over our presuppositions or final standard. What should be the source of a person's presuppositions? For the unbeliever, it will be some authority for reasoning other than the word of God, while for the believer it is God's revelation.”
― Greg L. Bahnsen, Van Til's Apologetic: Readings and Analysis

“But the Christian worldview does not have this intellectual dilemma of justifying the causal principle (inductive or scientific reasoning). It is transcendentally justified by the inner coherence of our presupposed worldview, or within its wider context, being entailed by both the nature and promises of God.”
― Greg L. Bahnsen, Van Til's Apologetic: Readings and Analysis