The Cornelius Van Til Collection

Cornelius Van Til was a highly influential American theologian and philosopher, renowned for his work in Reformed theology and apologetics. Born on May 3, 1895, in Grootegast, Netherlands, Van Til emigrated to the United States with his family at a young age. He eventually became a leading figure in the development of presuppositional apologetics, a distinctive approach to defending the Christian faith that emphasizes the necessity of starting with biblical presuppositions.

Van Til pursued his education at Princeton University, where he earned his bachelor's degree, and later at Princeton Theological Seminary, where he was deeply influenced by the Reformed tradition. He became a professor at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, a position he held for many decades until his retirement. Throughout his career, Van Til sought to demonstrate the rational coherence of Christianity and argued that all human knowledge is ultimately rooted in the truth of God's revelation.

His writings, including his seminal work The Defense of the Faith, have had a profound impact on Christian apologetics and Reformed thought. Van Til challenged classical approaches to apologetics, advocating instead for a presuppositional method that begins with the authority of Scripture and the sovereignty of God. His ideas continue to influence evangelical and Reformed circles, and he is regarded as one of the most significant Christian thinkers of the 20th century. Cornelius Van Til passed away on April 17, 1987, leaving a lasting legacy in theological and philosophical circles.