Last night, I had the privileged of being in the audience of a live broadcast of The White Horse Inn, which took place at Biola University. Truth be told, I had never listened to The White Horse Inn before. The topic for the night was "The Importance of Contending Earnestly for the Gospel of Jesus Christ." To put it mildly, it was excellent. The hosts correctly emphasized the necessity of preaching the Gospel--that is, focusing on Christ, and not on ourselves.
There was one statement, however, that I did not agree with. The hosts said (I believe it was Horton and Riddlebarger) that the Reformed are really good at talking about apologetics and apologetic methods, but never actually get around to doing the work of apologetics. We never get around to engaging non-Christians. Quite frankly, this is false. And it isn't the first time I've heard this critique. (Interestingly, the other time I heard it was from another Reformed scholar.) So, in light of this apparently widespread opinion of Reformed Apologists, I hope to regularly highlight Reformed theologians who are actively engaged in the work of apologetics.
I can't think of a better place to start, than with James White. His Alpha and Omega Ministries is actively engaged in debating atheists, Muslims, Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, etc. No, I don't agree with him on every point (for one, he's a Baptist and I'm a Presbyterian), but his name was the first to pop into my head when Horton made his statement last night.
So, the next time someone accuses the Reformed of being all talk and no action when it comes to apologetics, point them to James White.
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