Paradox and Truth:
Rethinking Van Til on the Trinity
by Comparing Van Til, Plantinga, and Kuyper

by Rev. Ralph Allan Smith

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DEDICATION:

This book is dedicated to Frank, a Christian businessman who has generously and faithfully supported the ministry of our research center for over ten years. Frank's kindness is all the more remarkable in that he does not entirely agree with our theological position. On the doctrine of the Trinity and its importance for the Christian life, however, I am sure he fully concurs. Without Frank's support, this book would hardly have been possible.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Relative Neglect of Van Til

The Evangelical Worldview and the Trinity

I. Plantinga's View of the Trinity

The Oneness/Threeness Problem

Three Analogies of the Trinity Compared

Interacting with Plantinga's View

II. Van Til's Doctrine of the Trinity

Problem of Contradiction

Question of Novelty

Purpose of Paradox

III. Comparing Van Til with Plantinga

Person

Perichoresis

One and Many

Logic

Worldview

IV. Kuyper, Covenant, and Worldview

The Trinitarian Covenant in Reformed Theology

Covenantal Language and God's Attributes

Direction for Reformation

Appendix One: On the Trinity, Book 5, by Hilary of Poitiers

Appendix Two: Lee Irons on Van Til

Appendix Three: John Frame on Van Til's Trinitarianism

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Table of Contents

Paradox and Truth: Rethinking Van Til on the Trinity by Comparing Van Til, Plantinga, and Kuyper

by Rev. Ralph Allan Smith

Paradox and Truth:
Rethinking Van Til on the Trinity
by Comparing Van Til, Plantinga, and Kuyper