📖 Biblical Definition
Greg Bahnsen (1948-1995) was the American Reformed theologian who became the most effective popularizer of Cornelius Van Til’s presuppositional apologetics. Trained at Westminster Theological Seminary and the University of Southern California (PhD in philosophy), he wrote Van Til’s Apologetic: Readings and Analysis, Always Ready, and theonomist works on biblical law. His most famous debate — against atheist philosopher Gordon Stein at the University of California-Irvine in 1985 — became a teaching classic, illustrating Van Tilian method against an articulate opponent. He also debated Edward Tabash. Bahnsen died young (age 47) of complications from heart surgery. His audio lectures continue to disciple new generations of Reformed apologists.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
American Reformed theologian (1948-1995); leading popularizer of presuppositional apologetics; defended TAG in major debates.
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Born Long Beach (California); studied under Van Til at Westminster; PhD from University of Southern California in philosophy. Pastor and lecturer; debated atheists, Catholics, dispensationalists, and others.
Major works: Always Ready: Directions for Defending the Faith, Van Til's Apologetic: Readings and Analysis, Theonomy in Christian Ethics, By This Standard, No Other Standard. The Bahnsen-Stein 1985 debate at the University of California, Irvine is the most famous demonstration of TAG.
📖 Key Scripture
1 Peter 3:15 — "Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you."
2 Corinthians 10:5 — "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God."
Proverbs 26:4-5 — "Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit."
Colossians 2:8 — "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern Christianity often skips Bahnsen as combative; his actual work was deeply pastoral and his intellectual rigor matched his evangelistic zeal.
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Bahnsen's use of Proverbs 26:4-5 was foundational: do not answer a fool on his own terms (lest you affirm his foolish premises); but do answer a fool to expose his folly. The two-step approach — refuse the unbeliever's false starting point, then expose the contradictions within his worldview — is the apologetic method in compressed form.
His early death (47, heart disease) cut short an extensive ministry. The recordings of his lectures remain widely circulated. The household interested in apologetic method gains by listening through them.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
American surname.
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English Bahnsen — surname.
Note: not to be confused with Greg Beale (NT scholar) or other similarly named contemporary theologians.
Usage
"Answer not a fool according to his folly; answer a fool according to his folly."
"Refuse the unbeliever's false starting point; then expose his contradictions."
"The two-step approach in compressed form."