Date
1-16-2025
Department
Rawlings School of Divinity
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy in Theology and Apologetics (PhD)
Chair
W. David Beck
Keywords
Thomas B. Warren, Existence of God, Inspiration of the Bible, Theodicy, Christian apologetics, Apologetic method, Christian evidences
Disciplines
Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion
Recommended Citation
Beals, George F., "The Apologetic Method of Thomas B. Warren: A Presentation of His Case and a Biblical Assessment" (2025). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 6429.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/6429
Abstract
Philosopher of religion and biblical theist Thomas B. Warren insists that the philosopher and theologian, and all, must do more than try to collect information and leave the matter there. Especially when dealing with matters of great import, to make one’s case, one must take the added step of forming an argument. “What is your argument?” he often asked. Accordingly, he worked out a precisely worded argument, valid in form, all of whose premises, he believes, are true, that he then defends as the basic argument of biblical Christianity. He specifies that its conclusion is the overall theme of the Bible, and that this theme is, Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that to be saved from the consequence of sin (eternal separation from God) one must believe in, love and obey him. Warren’s argument includes, in logical sequence, evidence for knowing that God exists, then evidence for knowing that the Bible is the word of God, and then evidence for knowing that the Bible teaches this basic theme. Further, he also holds that this argument can show that any doctrine the Bible teaches (call it X) is true—where God is presenting his case: This is accomplished by replacing the basic theme with X. For example, he holds that the Bible teaches Jesus Christ is deity. So, since God exists and the Bible is the word of God and the Bible teaches Jesus Christ is deity, then Jesus Christ IS deity. The dissertation presents Warren’s case in detail, and provides a biblical assessment of it. The thesis is that Warren’s argument is consistent with biblical teaching.
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