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notwithoutwitness's review
4.0
Solid overall bio on Van Til.
I wish there was more interaction with the practice of church life. Muether focused heavily on the politics of church life. This was heavily focused on all the church "political-theological" controversies that Van Til was steeped in. More focus on Van Til as preacher, apologist, and missiologist. I would have preferred more interaction with everyday church life for Van Til. An analysis of some of his sermons, what his classroom was like, more stories from his students, etc. White's bio on Van Til, while less academic, offers a more personal tone of warmth. Van Til is simply more like-able in White's work.
I often felt disappointed and sad toward Van Til's reformed militancy. But I am more along the "generous reformed" camp. I do wonder how much of this is being filtered through Muether's own militancy?
There is fighting forth the faith once delivered and then there is fighting contentiously for the faith once delivered. One wonders if Van Til was far too contentious. I did find it interesting that toward the end of his life Van Til tended to have a more reconciliatory tone. When we view things in light of eternity it shapes us differently?
Still a helpful intro to Van Til. We continue to lack an in-depth academic / critical biography.
I wish there was more interaction with the practice of church life. Muether focused heavily on the politics of church life. This was heavily focused on all the church "political-theological" controversies that Van Til was steeped in. More focus on Van Til as preacher, apologist, and missiologist. I would have preferred more interaction with everyday church life for Van Til. An analysis of some of his sermons, what his classroom was like, more stories from his students, etc. White's bio on Van Til, while less academic, offers a more personal tone of warmth. Van Til is simply more like-able in White's work.
I often felt disappointed and sad toward Van Til's reformed militancy. But I am more along the "generous reformed" camp. I do wonder how much of this is being filtered through Muether's own militancy?
There is fighting forth the faith once delivered and then there is fighting contentiously for the faith once delivered. One wonders if Van Til was far too contentious. I did find it interesting that toward the end of his life Van Til tended to have a more reconciliatory tone. When we view things in light of eternity it shapes us differently?
Still a helpful intro to Van Til. We continue to lack an in-depth academic / critical biography.
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