Advancement: Truth and Bush S Argument
BOOK REVIEW
of
Bush, L. Russ. The Advancement. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 2003.
APOL 500 LUO (fall 2013)
Introduction to Apologetics
Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary
CONTENTS
Introduction 1
Summary 1
Critical Interaction 3
Conclusion 6
Bibliography 7
Introduction
This is a critique of L. Russ Bush’s The Advancement. In order to properly ascertain the individual components as well as the overall success of Bush’s work, this article deploys the use of a general summary, followed by a section of critical interaction, and finally a conclusion. In the end, elements of Bush’s argument prove invaluable, while others miss their target.
Summary
Chapter 1 begins with an historical review of the modern worldview formation. This includes first the secular worldview, inspired by the focus on freedom inherent in the Enlightenment. Bush then begins to explore the details of the Christian alternative. This discussion reaches a climax as he notes the contrast of the new and old worldviews. “In the earlier view there is a natural stability in both history and in nature. Progress or decline are products of a person’s relationship or lack of relationship to God, and neither is inevitable historically (15).” Ultimately Bush concludes, “The older worldview is not true (just) because it’s old, and it too may be in need of refinement in light of better understandings of the Bible, but authentic Christianity is the best antidote for a culture that is dying from the venom of the Advancement (17).” Chapter 2 begins to unveil the components of the overall worldview, that which Bush calls The Advancement. Here, again, Bush delves deeper into the historical relationships¬¬ among science, secularism, and Christianity. He addresses the historic belief, “God operates outside of the cause-and-effect pattern discernable in
of
Bush, L. Russ. The Advancement. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 2003.
APOL 500 LUO (fall 2013)
Introduction to Apologetics
Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary
CONTENTS
Introduction 1
Summary 1
Critical Interaction 3
Conclusion 6
Bibliography 7
Introduction
This is a critique of L. Russ Bush’s The Advancement. In order to properly ascertain the individual components as well as the overall success of Bush’s work, this article deploys the use of a general summary, followed by a section of critical interaction, and finally a conclusion. In the end, elements of Bush’s argument prove invaluable, while others miss their target.
Summary
Chapter 1 begins with an historical review of the modern worldview formation. This includes first the secular worldview, inspired by the focus on freedom inherent in the Enlightenment. Bush then begins to explore the details of the Christian alternative. This discussion reaches a climax as he notes the contrast of the new and old worldviews. “In the earlier view there is a natural stability in both history and in nature. Progress or decline are products of a person’s relationship or lack of relationship to God, and neither is inevitable historically (15).” Ultimately Bush concludes, “The older worldview is not true (just) because it’s old, and it too may be in need of refinement in light of better understandings of the Bible, but authentic Christianity is the best antidote for a culture that is dying from the venom of the Advancement (17).” Chapter 2 begins to unveil the components of the overall worldview, that which Bush calls The Advancement. Here, again, Bush delves deeper into the historical relationships¬¬ among science, secularism, and Christianity. He addresses the historic belief, “God operates outside of the cause-and-effect pattern discernable in
Bibliography: Bush, L. Russ. The Advancement. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 2003. Groothuis, Douglas. Christian Apologetics: A Comprehensive Case for Biblical Faith. Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2011.