On page 31 of the book, Reasons for Faith, K. Scott Oliphint wrote, "Philosophy might also serve theology as a 'testimony of consent in things known by nature.' Here Turretin has in mind the fact that to the extent that philosophy has its focus in natural revelation, it can be used to better confirm things that are revealed by God, things that are true and certain in themselves. This is because natural and special revelation both reveal God, and the truth of God, all of which is brought together as one truth. This can perhaps be seen in the way, for example, that notions of designs present in philosophical discussions today serve to 'better confirm' the truth of God's creating and controlling activity."
One of his footnotes about the above quote says, "This 'confirmation' does not address the stickier problem of the use of design arguments for apologetic purposes.
These arguments can of course be used, just so long as one's approach neither sacrifices nor undermines the principia of theology, that is, just so long as one's principium cognoscendi (Scripture), as grounded in the principium essendi (the triune God), are not compromised in the method used to set forth such arguments."
Can anyone here on PB give some examples of how one would go about using design arguments that would not undermine the principia of theology?
One of his footnotes about the above quote says, "This 'confirmation' does not address the stickier problem of the use of design arguments for apologetic purposes.
These arguments can of course be used, just so long as one's approach neither sacrifices nor undermines the principia of theology, that is, just so long as one's principium cognoscendi (Scripture), as grounded in the principium essendi (the triune God), are not compromised in the method used to set forth such arguments."
Can anyone here on PB give some examples of how one would go about using design arguments that would not undermine the principia of theology?