Van Til Group #13 - Roman Catholic and Evangelical Views of Sin and Human Consciousness

In this installment of Van Til Group, we turn to pp. 73-77 of Cornelius Van Til's classic book, The Defense of the Faith. In this section, Van Til critiques both Roman Catholicism and certain strands of Evangelicalism for their approach to human autonomy and the nature of sin.
Van Til argues that Roman Catholicism, as represented by Thomas Aquinas, assigns too much autonomy to human consciousness, even before the Fall, which undermines the Scriptural notion of authority and total depravity. He contends that Aquinas views fallen man as not entirely different from Adam in paradise, thus diminishing the need for grace.
Similarly, Van Til criticizes C.S. Lewis, representing a segment of Evangelical thought, for conflating metaphysical and ethical issues and for not adequately emphasizing human disobedience to God as the root of ethical problems. Both perspectives, according to Van Til, fail to uphold the biblical doctrine that only through faith and complete reliance on the triune God of Scripture can true ethical behavior be achieved.
00:00:07 Introduction
00:04:48 Support Reformed Forum
00:10:35 A Christian Philosophy of Behavior
00:18:48 Roman Catholicism as Halfway between Christianity and Paganism
00:28:38 The Relationship between Natural and Special Revelation
00:41:36 The Natural vs the Supernatural End of Created Man in Thomistic Theology
01:02:45 Evangelicalism and C. S. Lewis’s Views
01:13:11 Conclusion
This is Christ the Center episode 856 (www.reformedforum.org/ctc856)

[@matthewzmarzley]

This was great guys thank you

[@reformational]

Thanks for doing what you do, guys. Please keep it up!

[@Eric_Lichtenberg]

This episode has prompted me to listen to Dr. Tipton's course on union with Christ. I did not know that C.S. Lewis promoted a metaphysical union with Christ as the actualization of salvation.

[@Amilton5solas]

Van Til Defense of the Faith is thoroughly reformed! One word - Faithfulness

[@dereklee2590]

Amen Van Too Group it's awesome to learning:)

[@VickersJon]

Good timing for this episode.

[@tabithadorcas7763]

Just finished listening. Good stuff! Wish I had someone nearby with whom to discuss it. Thanks!

[@Amilton5solas]

me too...

[@ConfusedAbyssinianCat-oi4fh]

4:45 AM Georgia time.