--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Contrary to what many think, the basis…" description: "\"“Contrary to what many think, the basis for Van Til’s transcendental critique is not obscure or theoretical. His critique of human thought merely emplo..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ae/william-d-dennison-37790_apologist_contrary-to-what-many-think-the-basis-fo_3134048.jpg" --- # Contrary to what many think, the basis for Van Til’s… ![“Contrary to what many think, the basis for Van Til’s transcendental critique is not obscure or theoretical. His critique of human thought merely employs Christ’s teaching that out of the heart flow the issues of life (cf. Matt 12:34–35; 15:18–19; Mark 7:21; Luke 12:34; 16:15). By participating in…” quote by William D. Dennison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ae/william-d-dennison-37790_apologist_contrary-to-what-many-think-the-basis-fo_3134048.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ae/william-d-dennison-37790_apologist_contrary-to-what-many-think-the-basis-fo_3134048.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ae/william-d-dennison-37790_apologist_contrary-to-what-many-think-the-basis-fo_3134048.jpg) > ““Contrary to what many think, the basis for Van Til’s transcendental critique is not obscure or theoretical. His critique of human thought merely employs Christ’s teaching that out of the heart flow the issues of life (cf. Matt 12:34–35; 15:18–19; Mark 7:21; Luke 12:34; 16:15). By participating in Christ’s words, the apologist is to uncover and expose the heart of humanity.”” [William D. Dennison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-d-dennison/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Til’s critique uses Christ’s teaching about the heart to reveal humanity’s core issues, emphasizing lived experience over abstract theory. **In simple terms:** Christ’s words expose humanity’s heart. Key Takeaway Apply biblical insight to understand human motives. Themes theology human nature apologetics Mood thoughtful inquisitive Type theological analytical When to use this quote - pastoral counseling - ethical decision‑making - personal reflection Key Concepts transcendental critique heart‑centered analysis Questions to Reflect On - How does focusing on the heart change your view of morality? - What limits arise when theology dominates analysis? A Different Perspective May overlook non‑Christian perspectives on human nature. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Apologist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/apologist/) [Human thought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-thought/) [Theoretical Critique](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theoretical-critique-5555889/) [Transcendental Critique](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/transcendental-critique-3477111/) [Words Apologist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/words-apologist-5555888/) ## Related quotes > [“The transcendental critique reveals the deep roots of sin in the heart of man, and it demands the purity of biblical truth in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-d-dennison/the-transcendental-critique-reveals-the-deep-roots-of-sin-in-the/) [William D. Dennison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-d-dennison/) > [“It will be seen how there can be the idea of a special science, the \*critique of pure reason\* as it may be called.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/immanuel-kant/it-will-be-seen-how-there-can-be-the-idea-of-a-special-science-the/) [Immanuel Kant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/immanuel-kant/) > [“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/) > [“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/) > [“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/) > [“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/) > [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/) > [“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/) > [“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'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/) > [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/) ## More by William D. Dennison > [“The transcendental critique reveals the deep roots of sin in the heart of man, and it demands the purity of biblical truth in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-d-dennison/the-transcendental-critique-reveals-the-deep-roots-of-sin-in-the/) [William D. Dennison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-d-dennison/) > [“history is not an autonomous or complementary category of epistemology. Rather, Van Til held that an ontological knowledge of God is given to mankind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-d-dennison/history-is-not-an-autonomous-or-complementary-category-of/) [William D. Dennison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-d-dennison/) > [“For a church that proclaims the truth of the gospel, and for the believer who loves Christ, apologetics is not only the defending of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-d-dennison/for-a-church-that-proclaims-the-truth-of-the-gospel-and-for-the/) [William D. Dennison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-d-dennison/) > [“despite Frame’s ability to view the holistic character of Van Til’s thought, his preoccupation with linguistic and conceptual units, especially in the context of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-d-dennison/despite-frame-s-ability-to-view-the-holistic-character-of-van-til-s/) [William D. Dennison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-d-dennison/) > [“After the Christian apologist has uncovered the central presupposition of his opponent, he is in a position to move on to the next step:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-d-dennison/after-the-christian-apologist-has-uncovered-the-central/) [William D. Dennison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-d-dennison/) > [“As most Van Tilians realize, Van Til fought diligently to purge the Reformed tradition from the remnants of scholasticism that remained in the thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-d-dennison/as-most-van-tilians-realize-van-til-fought-diligently-to-purge-the/) [William D. Dennison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-d-dennison/) > [“Following Vos, Van Til places epistemology where it truly belongs, within the eschatological status of history: either one is a member of the kingdom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-d-dennison/following-vos-van-til-places-epistemology-where-it-truly-belongs/) [William D. Dennison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-d-dennison/) > [“Van Til, Steen’s beloved teacher, claimed, however, that only the Reformed tradition can provide the rightful context for the subject of common grace. After…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-d-dennison/van-til-steen-s-beloved-teacher-claimed-however-that-only-the/) [William D. Dennison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-d-dennison/) > [“Thereby, Van Til believed that one must view the facts of the universe in union with their Creator to view them rightly. In other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-d-dennison/thereby-van-til-believed-that-one-must-view-the-facts-of-the-universe/) [William D. Dennison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-d-dennison/) > [“in my judgment, Frame, akin to Aquinas, is viewing the Christian story in accord with the logical construction and the empirical experience of language.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-d-dennison/in-my-judgment-frame-akin-to-aquinas-is-viewing-the-christian-story/) [William D. Dennison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-d-dennison/) > [“Although Kuyper, Bavinck, and Hepp attempted to distance themselves from scholasticism and classicism, nevertheless, Van Til believed that they never overcame abstraction. That is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-d-dennison/although-kuyper-bavinck-and-hepp-attempted-to-distance-themselves/) [William D. Dennison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-d-dennison/) [Explore all 12 William D. Dennison quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-d-dennison/) ## 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/) > [“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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-l-bahnsen/by-reversing-the-proper-order-of-things-the-non-presuppositional/) [Greg L. Bahnsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-l-bahnsen/) > [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/) [Browse all 37 Apologist quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/apologist/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Contrary to what many think, the basis for Van Til’s transcendental critique is not obscure or theoretical. His critique of human thought merely employs Christ’s teaching that out of the heart flow the issues of life (cf. Matt 12:34–35; 15:18–19; Mark 7:21; Luke 12:34; 16:15). By participating in Christ’s words, the apologist is to uncover and expose the heart of humanity.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "William D. Dennison" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-d-dennison/contrary-to-what-many-think-the-basis-for-van-til-s-transcendental/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Apologist" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-d-dennison/contrary-to-what-many-think-the-basis-for-van-til-s-transcendental/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ae/william-d-dennison-37790_apologist_contrary-to-what-many-think-the-basis-fo_3134048.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ae/william-d-dennison-37790_apologist_contrary-to-what-many-think-the-basis-fo_3134048.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ae/william-d-dennison-37790_apologist_contrary-to-what-many-think-the-basis-fo_3134048.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Contrary to what many think, the basis for Van Til’s transcendental critique is not obscure or theoretical…” — William D. Dennison", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "William D. Dennison", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-d-dennison/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Contrary to what many think, the...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-d-dennison/contrary-to-what-many-think-the-basis-for-van-til-s-transcendental/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-d-dennison/contrary-to-what-many-think-the-basis-for-van-til-s-transcendental/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```