Thorn's Morgue
Putting Christian apologetics to eternal rest.
This section of the Objectivist Atheology website is devoted to examining what has come to be called "presuppositional apologetics" and the so-called "transcendental argument for the existence of God" or "TAG" for short.
An Introductory Critique of Presuppositionalism (141 KB)
A point-by-point interaction with James M. Harrison’s The Presuppositional Apologetic, which summarizes the distinctive aspects of this approach to Christian apologetics.
TAG and the Fallacy of the Stolen Concept (57 KB)
TAG attempts to make use of the fact that rational knowledge has hierarchical structure in its effort to defend Christian theism and critique competing worldviews. However, is this use consistent with its aim, or with Christian theism as a whole? This essay explores this question and shows why TAG must fail.
Induction and Presuppostional Apologetics (143 KB)
This paper examines a version of TAG as formulated by apologist Andy Walker. Of special interest is my examination of his claim that "all the attributes of the Biblical God" are necessary "to provide a rational justification for induction."
Considering Mr. Smallwood's Apologetic (225 KB)
A comprehensive examination of one presuppositionalist's presentation of TAG and discussion of its internal strategies and problems. Issues such as question-begging, "the impossibility of the contrary" and the elusive nature of TAG.
An Examination of Panabaker's "TAG roughly stated" and the Presuppositionalist Apologetic Strategy (32 KB)
Another examination of yet another apologist's version of TAG and reasons why it fails. TAG is yet again exposed to be an argument consisting of untenable premises. It is also demonstrated that presuppositionalists tend not to recognize their own stolen concepts.
Why Van Til Believed in God (index)
A comprehensive interaction with - and response to - Dr. Cornelius Van Til's famous essay Why I Believe in God presented in a sometimes ironic, conversational style. The interaction is divided into sections which follow those partitioning Van Til's format.
Caution: Construction ongoing!