--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: By reversing the proper order of things…" description: "\"“By reversing the proper order of things, the non-presuppositional apologist sees submission to God's Word as secondary, rather than primary, sees demo..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/317/greg-l-bahnsen-19294_apologist_by-reversing-the-proper-order-of-things_1333854.jpg" --- # By reversing the proper order of things, the… ![“By reversing the proper order of things, the non-presuppositional apologist sees submission to God's Word as secondary, rather than primary, sees demonstration as the basis for faith, sees independent argumentation rather than the Holy Spirit as the source of conviction, and therefore advances the…” quote by Greg L. Bahnsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/317/greg-l-bahnsen-19294_apologist_by-reversing-the-proper-order-of-things_1333854.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/317/greg-l-bahnsen-19294_apologist_by-reversing-the-proper-order-of-things_1333854.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/317/greg-l-bahnsen-19294_apologist_by-reversing-the-proper-order-of-things_1333854.jpg) > ““By reversing the proper order of things, the non-presuppositional apologist sees submission to God's Word as secondary, rather than primary, sees demonstration as the basis for faith, sees independent argumentation rather than the Holy Spirit as the source of conviction, and therefore advances the destruction of his own defense of the faith.”” [Greg L. Bahnsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-l-bahnsen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote argues that true faith should be grounded in demonstrated truth rather than mere submission, emphasizing rational argument over emotional experience. **In simple terms:** Faith should be based on proof, not just obedience. Key Takeaway Prioritize evidence when forming belief. Themes faith reason apologetics spirituality Mood thoughtful analytical Type theological philosophical academic When to use this quote - theological debate - personal belief formation - academic discourse - religious education Key Concepts presuppositionalism demonstration conviction Questions to Reflect On - How can reason and experience be balanced in belief? - What risks arise when faith relies solely on argument? A Different Perspective It may undervalue the role of personal experience and the Holy Spirit in faith development. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Apologist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/apologist/) [Apologist Sees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/apologist-sees-4485036/) [Argumentation Holy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/argumentation-holy-4485037/) [Defense Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defense-faith-380729/) [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Holy spirit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/holy-spirit/) [Presuppositional Apologist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/presuppositional-apologist-4485035/) ## Related quotes > [Virtually every major technological advance in the history of the human species- back to the invention of stone tools and the domestication of fire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-dennett/virtually-every-major-technological-advance-in-the-history-of-the/) [Daniel Dennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-dennett/) > [“For centuries, most of the devout had looked past vast amounts of scientific data and rational logic in defense of their faith.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-brown/for-centuries-most-of-the-devout-had-looked-past-vast-amounts-of/) [Dan Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-brown/) > [The core of our defense is the faith we have in the institutions we defend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/the-core-of-our-defense-is-the-faith-we-have-in-the-institutions-we/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [It is important for the apologist who desires to be obedient to the Word of God in defending the faith to pay special attention…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-l-bahnsen/it-is-important-for-the-apologist-who-desires-to-be-obedient-to-the/) [Greg L. Bahnsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-l-bahnsen/) > [“The task of the apologist is not simply to show that there is no hope of eternal salvation outside of Christ, but also that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-l-bahnsen/the-task-of-the-apologist-is-not-simply-to-show-that-there-is-no-hope/) [Greg L. Bahnsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-l-bahnsen/) > [“Christian apologetics is a defense of religious faith, thus pertaining to the question of one's ultimate commitment in life. Apologetics entails intellectual reasoning in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-l-bahnsen/christian-apologetics-is-a-defense-of-religious-faith-thus-pertaining/) [Greg L. Bahnsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-l-bahnsen/) > [When an apologist attempts to be autonomous in his reasoned argumentation he indicates that he considers God to be less certain than his own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-l-bahnsen/when-an-apologist-attempts-to-be-autonomous-in-his-reasoned/) [Greg L. Bahnsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-l-bahnsen/) > [It is never just disagreement but always intellectual dishonesty that is the apologist's worst enemy. And its apprentice is ignorance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/criss-jami/it-is-never-just-disagreement-but-always-intellectual-dishonesty-that/) [Criss Jami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/criss-jami/) > [“It is not that men become too intelligent for God,' says the Apologist, 'but rather they become too arrogant for intelligence.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/criss-jami/it-is-not-that-men-become-too-intelligent-for-god-says-the-apologist/) [Criss Jami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/criss-jami/) > [Some Western biographies are apologist, and do not portray the negative side at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/some-western-biographies-are-apologist-and-do-not-portray-the/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [I don't think I need to be an apologist for working hard and being a very large taxpayer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-scaramucci/i-don-t-think-i-need-to-be-an-apologist-for-working-hard-and-being-a/) [Anthony Scaramucci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-scaramucci/) > [“The most effective apologist is not one who has the greatest academic prowess alone, but the one who has excellent intellectual preparation and reflects…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-j-beckwith/the-most-effective-apologist-is-not-one-who-has-the-greatest-academic/) [Francis J. Beckwith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-j-beckwith/) > [I am an apologist for the reading brain. It represents a miracle that springs from the brain's unique capacity to rearrange itself to learn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maryanne-wolf/i-am-an-apologist-for-the-reading-brain-it-represents-a-miracle-that/) [Maryanne Wolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maryanne-wolf/) > [I'm an unabashed apologist for strong national-security authority. That's why I might be more alarmed by Trump.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-wittes/i-m-an-unabashed-apologist-for-strong-national-security-authority/) [Benjamin Wittes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-wittes/) > [I am not a Republican apologist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darryl-glenn/i-am-not-a-republican-apologist/) [Darryl Glenn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darryl-glenn/) ## More by Greg L. Bahnsen > [“Most philosophers do not want intellectual matters to reduce to a question of morality (obedience or rebellion to God's Word). They want to hold…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-l-bahnsen/most-philosophers-do-not-want-intellectual-matters-to-reduce-to-a/) [Greg L. Bahnsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-l-bahnsen/) > [“The task of the apologist is not simply to show that there is no hope of eternal salvation outside of Christ, but also that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-l-bahnsen/the-task-of-the-apologist-is-not-simply-to-show-that-there-is-no-hope/) [Greg L. Bahnsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-l-bahnsen/) > [A god or revelation capable of proof or rational verification by an autonomous man would be worthless.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-l-bahnsen/a-god-or-revelation-capable-of-proof-or-rational-verification-by-an/) [Greg L. Bahnsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-l-bahnsen/) > [If no divine law is recognized above the law of the State, then the law of man has become absolute in men's eyes--there is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-l-bahnsen/if-no-divine-law-is-recognized-above-the-law-of-the-state-then-the/) [Greg L. Bahnsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-l-bahnsen/) > [“Since the fall of man was ethical in character (not metaphysical) the unregenerate and regenerate share the facts of the world and the rules…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-l-bahnsen/since-the-fall-of-man-was-ethical-in-character-not-metaphysical-the/) [Greg L. Bahnsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-l-bahnsen/) > [“Without faith, there is no proper understanding by which a man can judge. As Augustine well said, 'I believe in order to understand'.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-l-bahnsen/without-faith-there-is-no-proper-understanding-by-which-a-man-can/) [Greg L. Bahnsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-l-bahnsen/) > [“To avoid Christ in your thought at any point, then, is to be misled, untruthful, and spiritually dead.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-l-bahnsen/to-avoid-christ-in-your-thought-at-any-point-then-is-to-be-misled/) [Greg L. Bahnsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-l-bahnsen/) > [“To reason with the non-Christian in a fashion purporting to be independent of God or independent of reliance upon revelation is to honor the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-l-bahnsen/to-reason-with-the-non-christian-in-a-fashion-purporting-to-be/) [Greg L. Bahnsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-l-bahnsen/) > [“We must not defend our message (that Christ's Word is self-attesting and possessing ultimate authority from the Lord) with a method that works counter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-l-bahnsen/we-must-not-defend-our-message-that-christ-s-word-is-self-attesting/) [Greg L. Bahnsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-l-bahnsen/) > [When an apologist attempts to be autonomous in his reasoned argumentation he indicates that he considers God to be less certain than his own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-l-bahnsen/when-an-apologist-attempts-to-be-autonomous-in-his-reasoned/) [Greg L. Bahnsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-l-bahnsen/) > [“Christian apologetics is a defense of religious faith, thus pertaining to the question of one's ultimate commitment in life. Apologetics entails intellectual reasoning in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-l-bahnsen/christian-apologetics-is-a-defense-of-religious-faith-thus-pertaining/) [Greg L. Bahnsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-l-bahnsen/) > [“John Gerstner similarly observes, “Christ’s affirmation of the moral law was complete. Rather than setting His disciples free from the law, He tied them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-l-bahnsen/john-gerstner-similarly-observes-christ-s-affirmation-of-the-moral/) [Greg L. Bahnsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-l-bahnsen/) > [There is no way to use non-Christian language and logic to arrive at Christian utterances, conclusions, and behavior.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-l-bahnsen/there-is-no-way-to-use-non-christian-language-and-logic-to-arrive-at/) [Greg L. Bahnsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-l-bahnsen/) > [“With its continued dismissal of the law of God in ethics, Fundamentalism expressed both a "spiritualized" form of situational ethics and a "Christianly submissive"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-l-bahnsen/with-its-continued-dismissal-of-the-law-of-god-in-ethics/) [Greg L. Bahnsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-l-bahnsen/) > [Faith in the self-attesting Christ of Scripture is the beginning, not the end result of wisdom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-l-bahnsen/faith-in-the-self-attesting-christ-of-scripture-is-the-beginning-not/) [Greg L. Bahnsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-l-bahnsen/) [Explore all 33 Greg L. Bahnsen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-l-bahnsen/) ## More Apologist quotes > [It is never just disagreement but always intellectual dishonesty that is the apologist's worst enemy. And its apprentice is ignorance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/criss-jami/it-is-never-just-disagreement-but-always-intellectual-dishonesty-that/) [Criss Jami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/criss-jami/) > [I'm an unabashed apologist for strong national-security authority. That's why I might be more alarmed by Trump.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-wittes/i-m-an-unabashed-apologist-for-strong-national-security-authority/) [Benjamin Wittes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-wittes/) > [“The task of the apologist is not simply to show that there is no hope of eternal salvation outside of Christ, but also that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-l-bahnsen/the-task-of-the-apologist-is-not-simply-to-show-that-there-is-no-hope/) [Greg L. Bahnsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-l-bahnsen/) > [I am an apologist for the reading brain. It represents a miracle that springs from the brain's unique capacity to rearrange itself to learn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maryanne-wolf/i-am-an-apologist-for-the-reading-brain-it-represents-a-miracle-that/) [Maryanne Wolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maryanne-wolf/) > [“The most effective apologist is not one who has the greatest academic prowess alone, but the one who has excellent intellectual preparation and reflects…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-j-beckwith/the-most-effective-apologist-is-not-one-who-has-the-greatest-academic/) [Francis J. Beckwith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-j-beckwith/) > [I am not a Republican apologist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darryl-glenn/i-am-not-a-republican-apologist/) [Darryl Glenn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darryl-glenn/) > [I don't think I need to be an apologist for working hard and being a very large taxpayer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-scaramucci/i-don-t-think-i-need-to-be-an-apologist-for-working-hard-and-being-a/) [Anthony Scaramucci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-scaramucci/) > [Some Western biographies are apologist, and do not portray the negative side at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/some-western-biographies-are-apologist-and-do-not-portray-the/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [“It is not that men become too intelligent for God,' says the Apologist, 'but rather they become too arrogant for intelligence.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/criss-jami/it-is-not-that-men-become-too-intelligent-for-god-says-the-apologist/) [Criss Jami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/criss-jami/) > [“Reason, it seems to me, is useless in these matters, becomes either an apologist for faith or its persecutor. Catch me tomorrow; I may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-chester/reason-it-seems-to-me-is-useless-in-these-matters-becomes-either-an/) [Chris Chester](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-chester/) > [When an apologist attempts to be autonomous in his reasoned argumentation he indicates that he considers God to be less certain than his own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-l-bahnsen/when-an-apologist-attempts-to-be-autonomous-in-his-reasoned/) [Greg L. Bahnsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-l-bahnsen/) > [“Christian apologetics is a defense of religious faith, thus pertaining to the question of one's ultimate commitment in life. Apologetics entails intellectual reasoning in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-l-bahnsen/christian-apologetics-is-a-defense-of-religious-faith-thus-pertaining/) [Greg L. Bahnsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-l-bahnsen/) > [“In trying to remove from Christianity everything that could possibly be objected to in the name of science, in trying to bribe off the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-gresham-machen/in-trying-to-remove-from-christianity-everything-that-could-possibly/) [J. Gresham Machen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-gresham-machen/) > [fiction is not only the historian of life but its apologist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gertrude-atherton/fiction-is-not-only-the-historian-of-life-but-its-apologist/) [Gertrude Atherton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gertrude-atherton/) > [“The apologist can ask what literature and film reveal about the inchoate theological stirrings of our times.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-davison/the-apologist-can-ask-what-literature-and-film-reveal-about-the/) [Andrew Davison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-davison/) [Browse all 37 Apologist quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/apologist/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“By reversing the proper order of things, the non-presuppositional apologist sees submission to God's Word as secondary, rather than primary, sees demonstration as the basis for faith, sees independent argumentation rather than the Holy Spirit as the source of conviction, and therefore advances the destruction of his own defense of the faith.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Greg L. 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