The Bible points to the vast differences that unbelievers and believers have. Ephesians 4:17-24 is one example.
This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But ye have not so learned Christ; if so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: that ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
If unbelievers think vainly and have darkened understanding, how can we witness to them? Is it possible to have some point of a contact with someone who is of a different faith, or perhaps no faith at all? The answer is yes. God created all things and everything must serve Him. First, we must recognize that Christians have been brought out of darkness into God’s marvelous light. There is no neutral common ground between the believer and unbeliever. However, there is one thing that all men, believer or unbeliever, have in common – they were created by God. As discussed in Romans 1, unbelievers suppress their knowledge of God in unrighteousness. Greg Bahnsen explains these things in the book, Always Ready.
This [God's ownership and governing of all things] precludes the possibility of any neutral ground between the believer and unbeliever, but it assures us that there is abundant common ground (metaphysically speaking) between them, since all men are God’s creatures and live in God’s world.
As God’s creature, created in God’s image, and living in an environment which constantly brings the revelation of God to bear upon him, the unbeliever is always accessible to the gospel. The believer always has a point of contact with the unbeliever: (1) his being the image of God, and (2) the suppressed truth deep inside him. [1]
While the common ground is not neutral, it does exist. We must remember that it is God’s ground! We cannot reach out to unbelievers on their terms, or even pretended neutral terms, (which is impossible). Christians must point unbelievers to the Creator and Savior, who alone can remove the suppression of the truth by His grace. Using the tools of apologetics given in the Bible, we can show the unbeliever that only the Christian faith can account for laws of logic, the uniformity of nature, and moral absolutes. The unbelieving worldview on its own terms cannot explain these things. In fact, when they do explain them, they borrow from the Christian worldview, demonstrating that there is a knowledge of God within unbelievers. As stated earlier, this knowledge of God is suppressed and only the glorious gospel of grace can turn men and women back toward their Creator. Only the gospel can save fallen people. May God’s people be more faithful to boldly, humbly, and graciously proclaim this great salvation. May God give us the wisdom, grace, and love we need.
[1] Bahnsen, Greg, Always Ready: Directions for Defending the Faith, Nacogdoches: Covenant Media Foundation, p. 52.
Related articles
- Van Til on Human Reason (christcollegeblog.com)
I do myself believe in a certain presuppositional authority of the Sacred and Holy Scripture, but this in no way sets aside the evidential nature of Holy Writ also. I actually had snail mail with Greg Bahnsen back in the 80′s, it was a friendly dialogue. We both liked for example the man and writings of Van Til. And I am myself, one that does like very much the written work ministry & theology of John Frame also. Frame is a premere Christian apologist in his own right. I have many of his works also, note the rather new edited work: Speaking The Truth In Love – The Theology of John M. Frame, edited by John J. Hughes (P&R 2009)
Btw, I would recommend here the book, by T.H.L. Parker: Calvin’s Doctrine of the Knowledge of God.
Finally, the profound Text of St. Paul’s 2 Cor. 4: 6, is so spiritual.. and simply locked in that spiritual place, which is the depth of all Holy Scripture!
Wow…how many letters did Bahnsen wrote to you?
As I remember we wrote about half a dozen or so? He was born in 1948. and I was born in 1949. So we had the same generational aspects, though I am an Brit, and was born in Dublin Ireland. Of course he died in 1995, and was I think at 47? (RIP) I too hold a doctorate in philosophy (D. Phil.), as Greg had a Ph.D. here as I remember? I wrote then from England. My theological education is English or British (Th.D.). Though my D. Phil. was on Luther’s Ontology of the Cross, at the end.
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