Kevin Diller - Theologys Epistemological Dilemma: How Karl Barth and Alvin Plantinga Provide a Unified Response

www.IVPress.com/academic

InterVarsity Press

P.O. Box 1400, Downers Grove, IL 60515-1426

www.ivpress.com

2014 by Kevin Diller

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from InterVarsity Press.

InterVarsity Pressis the book-publishing division of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA, a movement of students and faculty active on campus at hundreds of universities, colleges and schools of nursing in the United States of America, and a member movement of the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students. For information about local and regional activities, write Public Relations Dept., InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA, 6400 Schroeder Rd., P.O. Box 7895, Madison, WI 53707-7895, or visit the IVCF website at www.intervarsity.org .

Scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are fromThe Holy Bible, English Standard Version,copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Cover design: Cindy Kiple

Images: photo of Alvin Plantinga: Photo by Matt Cashore / University of Notre Dame

Karl Barth: STR/Keystone/Corbis

ISBN 978-0-8308-9699-8 (digital)

ISBN 978-0-8308-3906-3 (print)

To Gwenael

whose creative spark is the consistent instrument of divine renewal in our life together

Contents

Foreword

Its a real pleasure to add my bit to Kevin Dillers excellent book, and Im delighted to be bracketed with Karl Barth, the premier twentieth-century theologian. Dillers claim here is something of a surprise; the worlds of theology and philosophy are, if not mutually exclusive, at any rate a bit standoffish. But Diller makes a very good case. Barth rejects the fundamental claims of the Enlightenment; I agree. Barth rejects any attempt to come to knowledge of God from below; I agree. Barth argues that serious Christian believers should not be apologetic (they have nothing for which to apologize); again, I agree.

I learned a great deal about Barth from Dillers book. I also learned a good deal about my own work, and I very much appreciated his thoughtful replies to my critics. Let me say again how pleased I am to learn from Dillers book how close Barth and I really are.

Alvin Plantinga

Acknowledgments

A number of people deserve recognition for providing the support, illumination and encouragement that have made this project possible. It began as a PhD thesis at the University of St Andrews under the phenomenal care and brilliant direction of Professor Alan Torrance, in whose debt I will ever remain for his trenchant theological insight, tenacious encouragement and unflagging demonstration of the most profound courage, charity and generosity in the face of tremendous adversity.

St Andrews provided an idyllic setting for thinking theologically about and engaging philosophically with the gift of Christian faith. And the St Marys postgraduate community sustained our family with an extraordinarily supportive and intellectually vibrant Christian environment. Special thanks to all those in the Roundel and at the pubs who sparked my thinking, cheered my heart and encouraged my faith, most significantly Drs. Aaron Kuecker, Luke Tallon, Kelly Liebengood, Josh Moon, Daniel Driver, Marc Cortez, Jeremy Gabrielson, Jason Goroncy, R. J. Matava and Matt Farlow.

This project was enabled by funding, support and research leave that came from several generous sources. These include the Ogilvys and the Rawlinsons for the St Marys postgraduate research building (the Roundel) and the use of Wester Coates house in the East Neuk of Fife; Rev. Rory McLeod and the Parish Church of the Holy Trinity in St Andrews; Michael Rea and the Center for Philosophy of Religion at the University of Notre Dame; the Center for Barth Studies at Princeton Theological Seminary and the Karl Barth Research Collection at Luce Library; and the Taylor University Bedi Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence.

Colleagues, mentors and friends who have sustained us through this work are too numerous to list. Of those who have had a particular impact on this book, some require special acknowledgment. In addition to Professor Alan Torrance, these include Alvin Plantinga, Bruce McCormack, Gary Deddo and Oliver Crisp. I deeply appreciate those who read and gave comments on earlier drafts: Andrew Torrance, Matthew Graham and especially David Congdon, along with a number of blind reviewers and editors who gave invaluable feedback. The significance of the inspiration and friendship of Mike Hammond, along with the rest of the so-called Round Table, cannot be understated. Finally, my students and colleagues at Taylor University have been immensely encouraging of this project and determined that it be given careful attention. I have particularly benefited from the encouragement of Jim Spiegel, Brad Seeman, Greg MaGee, Faye Checkowich, Matt DeLong, Drew Moser, Steve Morley, Steve Austin, Ryan James, Tim Herrmann, Jeff Cramer and Scott Moeschberger.

The most personal and most important acknowledgment must go to my blessed family, through whom I am constantly nourished and renewed. My parents and Gwens parents have been extremely supportive. Sophia, Naomi, Andrew and Isaac have contributed in ways they do not yet fully understand. And I am convinced that any depth of insight the book may achieve is in large measure parallel to depths of growth that Gwen and I have experienced together during this period of our lives. I am extremely thankful for her insights and the steadfastness of her love and encouragement.

Abbreviations