The Unbroken Circle: Exploring Van Til’s Analogy Between God and Scripture
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Apr 1, 2025Keywords:
Cornelius Van Til, Scripture, Analogy, Herman Bavinck, Bernhardinus de MoorMain Article Content
Abstract
This article examines an analogy drawn by Cornelius Van Til between scripture and the Trinity. Van Til argues that as God and his plan for the universe always remain ‘self-contained’ in the circle of the ontological Trinity even when God is in relation to creatures, so there is a sense in which scripture remains ‘self-contained’ even in the diversity of its reception history. It is argued that the ‘self-contained’ scripture is more than just a reference to the autographic text as a phenomenon of creation and a product of inspiration. Rather, there is a sense in which scripture is ultimately located in and derived from the mind of God. Van Til’s analogy is elucidated in conversation with distinctions in the Reformed tradition regarding the divine will and decree, with particular focus on Bernhardinus de Moor and Herman Bavinck.
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