Greg Bahnsen
Encyclopedia
Greg L. Bahnsen was an influential Calvinist
philosopher
, apologist
, and debater. He was an ordained minister
in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church
and a full time Scholar in Residence for the Southern California Center for Christian Studies.
, and grew up in Pico Rivera, California
. In youth he was beset by a number of medical difficulties, the most serious of which was a lifelong blood platelet problem that made it difficult for him to stop bleeding. He also had heart trouble which came to light only during his first college admissions medical exam.
Raised in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church
, he actively participated in religious activities. He first began reading the apologetics of Cornelius Van Til
when in high school, and his absorption of these works influenced his later career. While attending Westmont College
he began writing for the Chalcedon Foundation
of Rousas J. Rushdoony and soon came to admire the latter's strong Calvinistic convictions.
In 1969 Bahnsen married Cathie Wade. The two went on to have three sons of their own as well as an adopted Korean
daughter, but the marriage ended in divorce in 1990 after his wife left him for a former church member.
In 1970 Bahnsen graduated magna cum laude from Westmont College, receiving his B.A.
in philosophy as well as the John Bunyan Smith Award for his overall grade point average. From there he went on to Westminster Theological Seminary
in Philadelphia, where he studied under Cornelius Van Til
. The two became close friends. When he graduated in May 1973, he simultaneously received two degrees, Master of Divinity
and Master of Theology
, as well as the William Benton Greene Prize in apologetics and a Richard Weaver
Fellowship from the Intercollegiate Studies Institute
. His next academic stop was the University of Southern California
(USC), where he studied philosophy
, specializing in the theory of knowledge. In 1975, after receiving ordination in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, he became an associate professor of Apologetics and Ethics at Reformed Theological Seminary
in Jackson, Mississippi
. While there, he completed his studies at USC, receiving his Ph.D.
in 1978.
, Bahnsen was a leading proponent of theonomy
, postmillennialism
, and presuppositional apologetics
. He lectured to a broad range of evangelical Christian groups at many colleges and conferences, not only throughout the United States
, but in Scotland
and Russia
. He published numerous articles and has over 1700 audio tapes, videos, articles, and books to his name.
Greg Bahnsen's vocal advocacy of Christian Reconstructionism and theonomy was highly controversial during his lifetime, and a public disputation pertaining to theonomy led to his dismissal from the Reformed Theological Seminary
in Jackson, Mississippi. In addition, he was known for his public debates on apologetics
, theonomy, religion
(such as Roman Catholicism, Islam
, and Judaism
), and a variety of socio-political issues (such as abortion
, gun control
, and homosexuality
).
Bahnsen is perhaps best known for his debates with such leading atheists
as George H. Smith
, Gordon Stein, and Edward Tabash. The debate with Stein marked one of the earliest uses of a transcendental argument for the existence of God
(TAG).
In 1994 a controversy emerged after atheist philosopher Michael Martin
cancelled a debate with Bahnsen, because he "refused to allow the debate to be taped and sold to support a Christian organization." Martin maintains that he has since adequately responded to Bahnsen's use of TAG in that debate, doing so in his own debates with Michael Butler, John Frame
, and Douglas Jones as well as in essays posted on the Secular Web.
implant surgery on December 5, 1995. After the completion of the operation, serious complications developed within twenty-four hours. He then became comatose for several days and died on December 11, 1995 at the age of forty-seven.
Bahnsen was known to his friends for his personal side. Douglas Jones wrote in Credenda/Agenda
magazine following Bahnsen’s death: "some of us also remember him for his love of adventure movies, his fondness for Chinese food, his love of laughter, his lightning fast typing skills, and his encyclopedic knowledge of the history of rock and roll
. No one could even come close to beating him on the details of rock history."
Calvinism
Calvinism is a Protestant theological system and an approach to the Christian life...
philosopher
Christian philosophy
Christian philosophy may refer to any development in philosophy that is characterised by coming from a Christian tradition.- Origins of Christian philosophy :...
, apologist
Christian apologetics
Christian apologetics is a field of Christian theology that aims to present a rational basis for the Christian faith, defend the faith against objections, and expose the perceived flaws of other world views...
, and debater. He was an ordained minister
Minister of religion
In Christian churches, a minister is someone who is authorized by a church or religious organization to perform functions such as teaching of beliefs; leading services such as weddings, baptisms or funerals; or otherwise providing spiritual guidance to the community...
in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church
Orthodox Presbyterian Church
The Orthodox Presbyterian Church is a conservative Presbyterian denomination located primarily in the United States. It was founded by conservative members of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America who strongly objected to the pervasive Modernist theology during the 1930s . Led...
and a full time Scholar in Residence for the Southern California Center for Christian Studies.
Early life and education
He was the first born of two sons of Robert and Virginia Bahnsen in Auburn, WashingtonAuburn, Washington
-Parks:Auburn has an extensive system of parks, open space and urban trails comprising 29 developed parks, 5 undeveloped sites under planning, 2 skate parks, 2 water roatary parks, and over of trails , and almost of open space for passive and active recreation.-Environmental Park:The Auburn...
, and grew up in Pico Rivera, California
Pico Rivera, California
Pico Rivera is a city located in southeastern Los Angeles County, California, United States. The city is situated approximately 11 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles, on the eastern edge of the Los Angeles basin, and on the southern edge of the area known as the San Gabriel Valley...
. In youth he was beset by a number of medical difficulties, the most serious of which was a lifelong blood platelet problem that made it difficult for him to stop bleeding. He also had heart trouble which came to light only during his first college admissions medical exam.
Raised in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church
Orthodox Presbyterian Church
The Orthodox Presbyterian Church is a conservative Presbyterian denomination located primarily in the United States. It was founded by conservative members of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America who strongly objected to the pervasive Modernist theology during the 1930s . Led...
, he actively participated in religious activities. He first began reading the apologetics of Cornelius Van Til
Cornelius Van Til
Cornelius Van Til , born in Grootegast, the Netherlands, was a Christian philosopher, Reformed theologian, and presuppositional apologist.-Biography:...
when in high school, and his absorption of these works influenced his later career. While attending Westmont College
Westmont College
Westmont offers 26 majors, including: alternative major, art, biology, chemistry, communication studies, computer science, economics and business, education program, engineering physics, English, history, European studies, kinesiology, liberal studies, mathematics, modern languages , music,...
he began writing for the Chalcedon Foundation
Chalcedon Foundation
The Chalcedon Foundation is a Christian Reconstructionist organization founded by Rousas John Rushdoony. Named for the Council of Chalcedon, it has also included well-known theologians such as Gary North, who later founded his own organization, the Institute for Christian Economics.The Chalcedon...
of Rousas J. Rushdoony and soon came to admire the latter's strong Calvinistic convictions.
In 1969 Bahnsen married Cathie Wade. The two went on to have three sons of their own as well as an adopted Korean
Korean people
The Korean people are an ethnic group originating in the Korean peninsula and Manchuria. Koreans are one of the most ethnically and linguistically homogeneous groups in the world.-Names:...
daughter, but the marriage ended in divorce in 1990 after his wife left him for a former church member.
In 1970 Bahnsen graduated magna cum laude from Westmont College, receiving his B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in philosophy as well as the John Bunyan Smith Award for his overall grade point average. From there he went on to Westminster Theological Seminary
Westminster Theological Seminary
Westminster Theological Seminary is a Presbyterian and Reformed Christian graduate educational institution located in Glenside, Pennsylvania, with a satellite location in London.-History:...
in Philadelphia, where he studied under Cornelius Van Til
Cornelius Van Til
Cornelius Van Til , born in Grootegast, the Netherlands, was a Christian philosopher, Reformed theologian, and presuppositional apologist.-Biography:...
. The two became close friends. When he graduated in May 1973, he simultaneously received two degrees, Master of Divinity
Master of Divinity
In the academic study of theology, the Master of Divinity is the first professional degree of the pastoral profession in North America...
and Master of Theology
Master of Theology
A Master of Theology is an advanced theological research degree offered by universities, divinity schools, and seminaries.-North America:In North America, the Master of Theology is considered by the Association of Theological Schools to be the minimum educational credential for teaching...
, as well as the William Benton Greene Prize in apologetics and a Richard Weaver
Richard Weaver
Richard Weaver may refer to:*Richard Weaver English politician*Richard C. Weaver, better known as the "Handshake Man"*Richard M. Weaver , American scholar...
Fellowship from the Intercollegiate Studies Institute
Intercollegiate Studies Institute
The Intercollegiate Studies Institute, Inc., or ', is a non-profit educational organization founded in 1953 as the Intercollegiate Society of Individualists...
. His next academic stop was the University of Southern California
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
(USC), where he studied philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
, specializing in the theory of knowledge. In 1975, after receiving ordination in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, he became an associate professor of Apologetics and Ethics at Reformed Theological Seminary
Reformed Theological Seminary
Reformed Theological Seminary is a non-denominational, evangelical Protestant seminary. RTS's first campus remains in Jackson, Mississippi, United States though the school has expanded to include several additional campuses.-Founding:...
in Jackson, Mississippi
Jackson, Mississippi
Jackson is the capital and the most populous city of the US state of Mississippi. It is one of two county seats of Hinds County ,. The population of the city declined from 184,256 at the 2000 census to 173,514 at the 2010 census...
. While there, he completed his studies at USC, receiving his Ph.D.
Ph.D.
A Ph.D. is a Doctor of Philosophy, an academic degree.Ph.D. may also refer to:* Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*Piled Higher and Deeper, a web comic strip*PhD: Phantasy Degree, a Korean comic series* PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
in 1978.
Later life
One of the original pillars of Christian ReconstructionChristian Reconstructionism
Christian Reconstructionism is a religious and theological movement within Evangelical Christianity that calls for Christians to put their faith into action in all areas of life, within the private sphere of life and the public and political sphere as well...
, Bahnsen was a leading proponent of theonomy
Theonomy
Theonomy is a theory in Christian theology that God is the sole source of human ethics. The word theonomy derives from the Greek words “theos” God, and “nomos” law. Cornelius Van Til argued that there "is no alternative but that of theonomy or autonomy"...
, postmillennialism
Postmillennialism
In Christian end-times theology, , postmillennialism is an interpretation of chapter 20 of the Book of Revelation which sees Christ's second coming as occurring after the "Millennium", a Golden Age in which Christian ethics prosper...
, and presuppositional apologetics
Presuppositional apologetics
In Christian theology, presuppositionalism is a school of apologetics that presumes Christian faith is the only basis for rational thought. It presupposes that the Bible is divine revelation and claims to expose flaws in other worldviews...
. He lectured to a broad range of evangelical Christian groups at many colleges and conferences, not only throughout the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, but in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
and Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
. He published numerous articles and has over 1700 audio tapes, videos, articles, and books to his name.
Greg Bahnsen's vocal advocacy of Christian Reconstructionism and theonomy was highly controversial during his lifetime, and a public disputation pertaining to theonomy led to his dismissal from the Reformed Theological Seminary
Reformed Theological Seminary
Reformed Theological Seminary is a non-denominational, evangelical Protestant seminary. RTS's first campus remains in Jackson, Mississippi, United States though the school has expanded to include several additional campuses.-Founding:...
in Jackson, Mississippi. In addition, he was known for his public debates on apologetics
Apologetics
Apologetics is the discipline of defending a position through the systematic use of reason. Early Christian writers Apologetics (from Greek ἀπολογία, "speaking in defense") is the discipline of defending a position (often religious) through the systematic use of reason. Early Christian writers...
, theonomy, religion
Religion
Religion is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values. Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life or to...
(such as Roman Catholicism, Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
, and Judaism
Judaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
), and a variety of socio-political issues (such as abortion
Abortion
Abortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a fetus or embryo prior to viability. An abortion can occur spontaneously, in which case it is usually called a miscarriage, or it can be purposely induced...
, gun control
Gun control
Gun control is any law, policy, practice, or proposal designed to restrict or limit the possession, production, importation, shipment, sale, and/or use of guns or other firearms by private citizens...
, and homosexuality
Homosexuality
Homosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same...
).
Bahnsen is perhaps best known for his debates with such leading atheists
Atheism
Atheism is, in a broad sense, the rejection of belief in the existence of deities. In a narrower sense, atheism is specifically the position that there are no deities...
as George H. Smith
George H. Smith
George Hamilton Smith is an American author, editor, educator and speaker.-Biography:Smith grew up mostly in Tucson, Arizona, and attended the University of Arizona for several years before leaving without a degree; he relocated to Los Angeles during 1971. With the help of libertarian editor Roy A...
, Gordon Stein, and Edward Tabash. The debate with Stein marked one of the earliest uses of a transcendental argument for the existence of God
Transcendental argument for the existence of God
The Transcendental Argument for the Existence of God is the argument that attempts to prove God's existence by arguing that logic, morals, and science ultimately presuppose a theistic worldview, and that God is the source of logic and morals...
(TAG).
In 1994 a controversy emerged after atheist philosopher Michael Martin
Michael Martin (philosopher)
Michael L. Martin is an American philosopher and professor emeritus at Boston University. He obtained his PhD from Harvard University in 1962....
cancelled a debate with Bahnsen, because he "refused to allow the debate to be taped and sold to support a Christian organization." Martin maintains that he has since adequately responded to Bahnsen's use of TAG in that debate, doing so in his own debates with Michael Butler, John Frame
John Frame
John M. Frame is an American philosopher and Calvinist theologian especially noted for his work in epistemology and presuppositional apologetics, systematic theology, and ethics...
, and Douglas Jones as well as in essays posted on the Secular Web.
Death
Due to his lifelong medical problems, Bahnsen had to undergo a third aortic valveAortic valve
The aortic valve is one of the valves of the heart. It is normally tricuspid , although in 1% of the population it is found to be congenitally bicuspid . It lies between the left ventricle and the aorta....
implant surgery on December 5, 1995. After the completion of the operation, serious complications developed within twenty-four hours. He then became comatose for several days and died on December 11, 1995 at the age of forty-seven.
Bahnsen was known to his friends for his personal side. Douglas Jones wrote in Credenda/Agenda
Credenda/Agenda
Credenda/Agenda is Christian cultural and theological journal, published under the auspices of Christ Church of Moscow, Idaho. Douglas Wilson serves as editor, Douglas Jones as senior editor, and N. D. Wilson as managing editor. Editions are published quarterly in print form and also electronically...
magazine following Bahnsen’s death: "some of us also remember him for his love of adventure movies, his fondness for Chinese food, his love of laughter, his lightning fast typing skills, and his encyclopedic knowledge of the history of rock and roll
Rock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
. No one could even come close to beating him on the details of rock history."
Works
- See references at Christian ReconstructionismChristian ReconstructionismChristian Reconstructionism is a religious and theological movement within Evangelical Christianity that calls for Christians to put their faith into action in all areas of life, within the private sphere of life and the public and political sphere as well...
for links to free online versions of some of these (and related) books.
- Always Ready: Directions for Defending the Faith (ISBN 0-915815-28-1)
- Van Til's Apologetic: Readings and Analysis (ISBN 0-87552-098-7)
- Theonomy in Christian Ethics (ISBN 0-9678317-3-3)
- By This Standard: The Authority Of God's Law Today ISBN 0-930464-06-0
- No Other Standard: Theonomy and Its Critics ISBN 0-930464-56-7
- House Divided: The Breakup of Dispensational Theology with Kenneth Gentry. ISBN 0-930464-27-3
- Homosexuality: A Biblical View (ISBN 0-8010-0744-5)
- Five Views on Law and Gospel (Chapter contribution) (ISBN 0-310-21271-5)
- Foundations of Christian Scholarship (2 Chapter Contributions) (ISBN 1-879998-25-4)
- God and Politics: Four Views on the Reformation of Civil Government (Chapter contribution) (ISBN 0-87552-448-6)
- Theonomy: An Informed Response (2 Chapter contributions) (ISBN 0-930464-59-1)
- Victory in Jesus: The Bright Hope of Postmillennialism (ISBN 0-9678317-1-7)
- Presuppositional Apologetics: Stated and Defended (Edited by Joel McDurmon.) (ISBN 0-915815-55-9)
Further reading
- The Standard Bearer: A Festschrift for Greg L. Bahnsen (ISBN 0-9678317-4-1)
External links
- Essays by Greg Bahnsen and other writers
- Appointed for the Defense of the Gospel: The Life and Ministry of Greg L. Bahnsen by Kenneth GentryKenneth GentryKenneth L. Gentry, Jr. is a Reformed theologian, and an ordained minister in the Reformed Presbyterian Church General Assembly. He is particularly known for his support for and publication on the topics of partial preterism and postmillennialism in Christian eschatology, as well as for theonomy...
- Bahnsen vs. Stein Audio Debate transcribed
- "Bahnsen at the Stein Debate" by John Frame
- Review of The Standard Bearer: A Festschrift for Greg L. Bahnsen by Steve M. Schlissel
- Review of Theonomy in Christian Ethics by John Frame
- Reformed Apologetics includes several articles written by Bahnsen
- Videos of Bahnsen on YouTubeYouTubeYouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....