Book Review by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz
Book by Richard L. Pratt, Jr.
I always had a passing interest in all things apologetics, from all the evidences that could prove the existence of God to the logical arguments put forward to conclude that Christianity is the only truth. I was enamored with whatever book I could get my hands on that dealt with how to refute evolution, and prove the Mormons had it wrong. My high school days were filled with staying up reading the latest evidences that science discovered that, without a shadow of a doubt, annihilated any opposition concerning whether the universe had a beginning. My favorite book at the time was Peter Kreeft’s Handbook of Christian Apologetics, and I ate that book up.
Much has changed since then. Sure, I still love the area of apologetics, but now I’ve realized the mass of uncertainty in the methods I was uncritically accepting at the cost of biblical truth. Among many influences, Greg Bahnsen and James White introduced in my life presuppositional apologetics, what I’m convinced is the biblical method of engaging the non-Christian. Gone are the days where I have to keep an eye out for new discoveries in science and philosophical arguments to persuade those within my circle of friends who do not believe that they have no reason left to argue for their position. I wasn’t expecting some of them to reject God out of apathy, ignorance, or even hatred of God because of Christians. The issue became one of living a life consistent with the Gospel, and acknowledging sin when I fail to honor Christ, the same Christ I am supposed to point them to.
Upon joining youth staff, my heart went out for all the young adults in our group who have a young faith, and yet are very impressionable to the teaching they receive at our church. They’re learning many things throughout their days at school, and always with a perspective that tells them they are getting just the facts, and nothing else. No religious bias, no preconceived philosophies…or so they say. How I longed to be taught the truth about each of our commitments to independence apart from the God who made everything we study. I sought for books in the presuppositional apologetic category that would be helpful and clear for the youth to understand.
It was in the providence of God that once mentioned that a class on apologetics would be taught at our church, I was made aware of Richard Pratt’s work, Every Thought Captive. As its subtitle says, it is a training manual, specifically designed to help train Christians how to do apologetics. The amazing thing about it is that Pratt wrote it for high school students! 14 lessons (chapters) that cover broadly the method of trusting completely in the Bible as the source and foundation of our approach in engaging with the unbeliever. Pratt’s goal in this book is summed up in 2 Corinthians 10:5, which states, “We are (a) destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are (b) taking every thought captive to the obedience of Jesus Christ.” What he expresses in the chapters that follow demonstrate that
Non-Christians are in need of salvation from the presence and consequences of sin and rebellion against God. This salvation comes only through whole-hearted belief in and commitment to Christ. When such commitment is made, the thinking of the one who was once an enemy of God becomes submitted to the “obedience of Christ.” (p. ix)
What I found refreshing in this book was to place the emphasis of Scripture in determining our approach to defending the Christian faith, and the importance of knowing our faith in Christ robustly. Each chapter builds on what comes before, so that there is a progressive flow of thought forces you to think deeply of the worldview that the Bible lays out. Pratt first deals with the fatal flaw in most Christians’ view of Scripture in relation to how they do apologetics: using human wisdom and reasoning to establish the Bible as the Word of God and not having the Word of God as the foundation for your reasoning and wisdom. To place reason as the foundation of your confrontations with unbelievers is to place reason at a more fundamental level than Scripture itself, which is a foreign concept that Scripture never agrees with. It’s a disregard of what Peter writes in the oft-quoted 1 Peter 3:15, “but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect” (emphasis mine). If Christ is not Lord over your thoughts, you cannot say you’re obeying this command if you regard His Word as a result of your reasoning, and not the starting point.
The structure of the book goes from establishing a biblical worldview of how man relates to God and the world, from the beginning of time to after the fall, and even after death. Pratt understands that the world never gets this, nor teaches this, so there must be groundwork laid in our renewed minds, even of our own history, that we may have the right framework with which we call sinners to faith and repentance in Christ. He goes into a systematic theology of the creation of the world, the types of revelation God has given, the fall and curse of man, the redemption of man by Christ, and the glorified man in heaven. What Pratt establishes inescapably is that God is independent, and we are all dependent on Him for knowledge, life, and morality. A Christian recognizes this, and submits to God in all matters of thought and practice:
The character of man redeemed by Christ is basic to an understanding of biblical apologetics. The work of Christ on the cross and in His resurrection has renewed to true knowledge and righteousness those who believe in Him. Though sin is still present, the one who is redeemed by Christ can depend on God for knowledge and morality. (p. 42)
What follows is a contrast between the non-Christian and Christian point of view. This isn’t a listing of where the Christian and non-Christian stands on issues like abortion, social justice, homosexuality, or economics. The issue focuses more on where one stands in relation to God primarily. The Christian claims to be dependent on God. The non-Christian claims independence from God in their denial of His existence:
Commitment to independence is so fundamental to non-Christian philosophy that no matter how much the unbeliever may claim otherwise, every reason he may give to support his commitment is actually resting on it. (p. 46, author’s emphasis)
The Christian is in a better position to lay claim to knowledge that doesn’t appeal to himself, since he is dependent on another:
As with non-Christian philosophy, there is circularity also in Christian philosophy. Yet, one important difference remains: the notion of human dependence does not depend on itself for ultimate support. It rests on the solid ground of God and His revelation. (p. 54)
What all this leads to next is a life that is consistent with what the Christian claims reaches true knowledge and make correct moral decisions. It is dependence on God for everything you think, say, and do. This will affect your attitudes and actions (chapter 8) and also your defense (as opposed to what is popular in Christian apologetics today; chapter 9). Chapter 10 is given to explaining what a biblical method looks like in practice, appealing to Proverbs 26:4-5 for a hands-on approach that will keep your discussions from straying off-topic and keeping the tension of independence and its utter futility of finding certain at the forefront. Chapters 11-13 then give helpful summaries of various issues that the Christian will most likely have to deal with under that rubric, and give a start in building a biblical apologetic that will give honor to Christ and bring all willing to listen to the Gospel of grace. The book ends with a parable that gives a fleshly example to what Pratt has been talking about all along.
The most helpful element of this book are the drawings he has that puts heady concepts into easy-to-understand categories. It’s with his method of apologetics and ease of use that makes this book a must-read for any Christian who is seeking to grow not only in defending the faith, but also in growing in faith. You are confronted with the sovereign God who demands nothing less than complete dependence on Him not only in thought, but in word and deed, all to bring Him glory and praise. May we never seek to defend Christianity without introducing them to the one who makes that word meaningful: Jesus Christ, Creator, sustainer, and redeemer. To do less is to defend a lower god.
Editor’s Note: This is also the book that was used recently in one of the adult Sunday-school classes here at LBC. The lectures can be found in the media section of the LBC website, and the study guide is available for the asking from Stephen Rodgers.