Van Til Group #16 — A Response to Keith Mathison, Part 2
Reformed Forum
In this episode of Christ the Center, Camden Bucey is joined once again by Lane Tipton and Carlton Wynne for a substantive follow-up to their earlier discussion of Keith Mathison’s Toward a Reformed Apologetic: A Critique of the Thought of Cornelius Van Til. In the months since their first review, Dr. Mathison published , prompting deeper analysis and clarification. Together, Drs. Bucey, Tipton and Wynne explore key critiques Mathison levels against Van Til, especially the claims of epistemological idealism and the so-called “omniscience requirement” for true knowledge....
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Selecting Psalms and Hymns for Worship
Reformed Forum
How should Reformed churches approach the selection of psalms and hymns for corporate worship? In this video, Camden Bucey offers a rich, pastoral, and practical guide for choosing music that reflects the theological and liturgical shape of a service. Drawing on years of ministry experience, Camden explains how to align musical selections with Scripture texts, sermon themes, and the redemptive-historical movement of the liturgy. This talk goes beyond personal preference or musical taste. Learn how thoughtful hymnody and psalmody can serve the worship of the triune God by reinforcing Scripture,...
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The One We Defend: The Doctrine of God | Defending Our Hope (Lesson 3)
Reformed Forum
This is the third lesson in Dr. Camden Bucey’s Reformed Academy course, Defending Our Hope: An Introduction to Christian Apologetics. Before we can defend the Christian faith, we must know the God we are defending. This lesson explores the heart of Christian apologetics: the doctrine of God. We explore the nature and attributes of the triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—as revealed in Scripture and expressed in the Reformed tradition. From God’s simplicity and independence to his communicable and incommunicable attributes, we see how every aspect of his character undergirds our...
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Michael Morales | The Lord Bless You and Keep You: Exploring the Heart of Numbers
Reformed Forum
In this episode we welcome Dr. Michael Morales—professor of biblical studies at —for a conversation exploring the profound theological vision of the book of Numbers. Drawing from his newly released two-volume commentary in the Apollos Old Testament Commentary series, Dr. Morales unveils Numbers as more than ancient census lists and wilderness wanderings. Instead, it emerges as a richly textured narrative of covenant community, leadership, and the Lord’s presence among his people. Listeners will discover how the structure of Israel’s camp reflects Edenic hope and eschatological...
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Understanding Eastern Orthodoxy: A Reformed Introduction, Part 3 (Worship and the Sacraments)
Reformed Forum
In this final installment of our introductory series on Eastern Orthodoxy for Reformed Christians, Camden Bucey explores Orthodox worship and sacramental theology through a Reformed lens. This episode provides a careful and charitable overview of Eastern Orthodox liturgical practices, including the Divine Liturgy, veneration of icons, and the centrality of the Eucharist. What makes Eastern Orthodox worship distinct? Why are icons and incense used? What theological principles undergird these practices? Camden discusses the symbolism of Eastern Orthodox worship while also addressing key...
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The Book of Daniel, Part 7
Reformed Forum
On today’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob continue to walk through the Book of Daniel. We discuss Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and its interpretation by Daniel found in chapter 2:31-45.
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Seeing Clearly: Shaping a Biblical Worldview | Defending Our Hope (Lesson 2)
Reformed Forum
This is the second lesson in Dr. Camden Bucey’s Reformed Academy course, Defending Our Hope: An Introduction to Christian Apologetics. How do we perceive reality accurately amidst competing perspectives? This lesson examines worldviews and explores how everyone—whether consciously or not—interprets life through fundamental beliefs. You will learn how Scripture, illuminated by the Holy Spirit, serves as a lens bringing spiritual clarity to metaphysics, epistemology, and ethics. Based on Colossians and the Reformed tradition, we compare the Christ-centered worldview with philosophical...
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Leonardo De Chirico and Mark Gilbert | The Nicene Creed and the Nature of Christian Unity
Reformed Forum
Leonardo De Chirico and Mark Gilbert join the program to discuss the enduring significance of the Nicene Creed as it marks its 1700th anniversary. Drawing from their recent edited volume, The Nicene Creed: The Nature of Christian Unity and the Meaning of Gospel Words (Matthias Media), the guests explore how shared creedal language can mask deep theological differences, particularly between evangelical and Roman Catholic traditions. Leonardo De Chirico is a pastor of a Reformed evangelical church in Rome, a scholar of Roman Catholic theology, and a leader in the Reformanda Initiative,...
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The Book of Daniel, Part 6
Reformed Forum
On today’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob continue to walk through the Book of Daniel. We discuss Nebuchadnezzar’s dream found in Daniel 2:31-49.
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Foundations of Hope: Understanding Apologetics | Defending Our Hope (Lesson 1)
Reformed Forum
This is the first lesson in Dr. Camden Bucey’s Reformed Academy course, Defending Our Hope: An Introduction to Christian Apologetics. What does it mean to defend our hope in a world filled with doubt and competing worldviews? In this opening lesson, you will be introduced to the discipline of apologetics—not as an academic abstraction but as a deeply personal, biblically grounded calling for every believer. Drawing from 1 Peter 3:15, we explore how the hope of Christ’s resurrection transforms the way we engage with others, and why a distinctly Reformed approach—centered on Scripture,...
info_outlineIn this episode of Christ the Center, Camden Bucey is joined once again by Lane Tipton and Carlton Wynne for a substantive follow-up to their earlier discussion of Keith Mathison’s Toward a Reformed Apologetic: A Critique of the Thought of Cornelius Van Til. In the months since their first review, Dr. Mathison published a blog response, prompting deeper analysis and clarification.
Together, Drs. Bucey, Tipton and Wynne explore key critiques Mathison levels against Van Til, especially the claims of epistemological idealism and the so-called “omniscience requirement” for true knowledge. The panel addresses these concerns with thoughtful care, highlighting Van Til’s emphasis on covenantal epistemology, the distinction between psychological and ethical knowledge, and the non-neutrality of unbelieving thought.
The episode also tackles Mathison’s treatment of common grace and the antithesis—core concepts in Van Til’s apologetic system. Does Van Til teach that unbelievers attain true knowledge by way of common grace? What is the actual function of common grace in a fallen world? And how does Van Til preserve the absolute ethical antithesis between belief and unbelief without denying shared external reality or meaningful engagement?
This is a clarifying and edifying conversation for anyone interested in Reformed theology, presuppositional apologetics, or the legacy of Cornelius Van Til.
Mentioned Resources
- Keith Mathison, Toward a Reformed Apologetics
- Cornelius Van Til, The Defense of the Faith
- Cornelius Van Til, Common Grace and the Gospel
- Follow-up blog post by Dr. Mathison
Topics Covered
- Epistemological holism and the “omniscience thesis”
- Idealist influence and Van Til’s use of borrowed terminology
- The meaning of “true knowledge” in covenantal context
- The image of God, suppression of truth, and natural revelation
- Common grace and its relationship to knowledge and antithesis
- The continuing relevance of Van Til’s apologetic method
Chapters
- 00:00 – Introduction
- 02:56 – Upcoming General Assembly
- 03:45 – Overview of Keith Mathison’s Book and Blog Response
- 05:06 – Main Concerns: Common Grace, Antithesis, and Epistemology
- 07:12 – Van Til’s Doctrine of Knowledge and Ethical Implications
- 09:13 – Response to Mathison’s Critique and Blog Post
- 12:34 – The ‘Omniscience Thesis’ in Dr. Mathison’s Reading
- 17:18 – Clarifying True Knowledge in Van Til’s View
- 23:04 – Idealism, Epistemological Holism, and Formal Influence
- 28:36 – Borrowed Capital vs. Replanting from Idealism
- 33:13 – Ethical Antithesis and Knowledge Suppression
- 42:12 – Common Grace: Misunderstanding and Clarification
- 47:13 – Van Til’s View: Knowledge Precedes Common Grace
- 54:11 – True Knowledge and the Ethical Rebellion of Man
- 59:28 – Common Grace and Inconsistent Suppression
- 66:10 – Antithesis in Every Sphere of Life
- 69:55 – Common Grace Doesn’t Suspend Total Depravity
- 71:48 – Looking Ahead to Reconstructed Theistic Proofs