Apologetics: Reformed Epistemology
1. Defining Reformed Epistemology in Apologetics
Reformed Epistemology is a school of apologetics that emerged in post-war American evangelicalism, primarily developed at Calvin College. Philosophers such as Alvin Plantinga and Nicholas Wolterstorff emphasized epistemology, the study of knowledge, as central to defending the faith.
The central claim is that belief in God can be rational and warranted apart from arguments or evidence. Plantinga famously argued that belief in God is “properly basic.” Just as people believe in the existence of other minds, the external world, or the reality of the past without proof, belief in God is similarly grounded and reasonable.
This approach challenges evidentialist demands that belief in God must be justified by arguments or scientific data. Instead, it contends that God has created humans with a sensus divinitatis — an innate sense of the divine — which grounds rational faith.
2. Properly Basic Belief and the Knowledge of God
A cornerstone of Reformed Epistemology is the claim that belief in God is “properly basic.” This means it does not depend on inferential reasoning but is justified in itself.
Plantinga’s illustration compares it to memory or perception. For example:
You believe the world existed five minutes ago, though you cannot prove it.
You believe other persons exist, even though you cannot access their minds directly.
In the same way, belief in God arises naturally and rationally in the context of human experience. Romans 1:20 echoes this, teaching that God’s “eternal power and divine nature” are clearly perceived in creation, leaving humanity without excuse. Psalm 19:1 likewise affirms: “The heavens declare the glory of God.”
By framing belief in God as properly basic, Reformed Epistemology shows that Christian faith is not irrational credulity but a natural, God-given orientation toward truth.
3. Distinctives from Other Approaches
Reformed Epistemology stands apart from other apologetic models:
Classical apologetics relies on rational arguments like the cosmological or teleological proofs.
Evidential apologetics emphasizes historical and scientific evidence for Christianity.
Presuppositional apologetics argues that all reasoning presupposes Christian truth.
While Reformed Epistemology shares some affinity with presuppositionalism, it is more philosophical in focus. It does not dismiss evidence but insists that faith in God is warranted even before evidence is considered.
This is particularly powerful in the postmodern era, where skepticism about proofs is common. Instead of starting with rational arguments, Reformed Epistemology begins with the human condition as created to know God.
4. Biblical Foundations for Warranted Belief
Scripture itself supports the idea that belief in God is basic and rational. Several passages highlight this truth:
General revelation: Creation reveals God’s glory (Psalm 19:1).
Innate awareness: Ecclesiastes 3:11 says God has “put eternity into man’s heart.”
Universal knowledge: Romans 1:19 teaches that God has made Himself plain to all.
Divine witness: Acts 17:27 affirms that God created people “that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him.”
These passages align with the idea that humans are designed to know God apart from argument. While sin distorts this awareness (Romans 1:21–23), the innate capacity remains.
5. The Gospel and the Role of Revelation
Reformed Epistemology highlights the reality of general revelation but also underscores its limits. Belief in God may be properly basic, but saving faith requires special revelation in Christ. Romans 10:14–17 makes clear that faith comes by hearing the word of Christ.
In this way, natural knowledge of God provides a foundation, while the Gospel supplies the content of salvation. General revelation leaves humanity without excuse, but only the Gospel reconciles people to God.
Reformed Epistemology thus prepares the ground for the kingdom-centered message: Christ as Creator and Redeemer fulfills the longing already embedded in human awareness of God.
6. Addressing the Problem of Evil
One significant area where Reformed Epistemology has been applied is the problem of evil. Critics argue that the existence of evil makes belief in God irrational. Plantinga’s “free will defense” counters this, showing that God can permit evil while remaining good and sovereign.
From a biblical perspective, evil is real but temporary. Romans 8:20–21 teaches that creation itself is in bondage to corruption but awaits liberation in Christ. The Gospel assures that God has already triumphed over evil through the cross and will ultimately eradicate it in the new creation (Revelation 21:4).
This demonstrates how belief in God remains warranted even in the face of suffering. Evil does not disprove God but instead highlights the hope of redemption.
7. Criticisms of Reformed Epistemology
Despite its strengths, Reformed Epistemology faces criticisms:
Circular reasoning: Critics argue it assumes belief in God to justify belief in God.
Engagement challenges: It may not persuade skeptics who demand evidence.
Ambiguity: Some worry it could justify any basic belief, even false ones.
These concerns reveal the need to pair Reformed Epistemology with biblical proclamation. While it shows that faith in God is rational, only the revealed Gospel distinguishes true belief from false worship.
8. Reformed Epistemology and the Last Days
This approach also has eschatological significance. In the last days, unbelief will persist despite clear testimony from creation. Revelation 16:9 describes people who “cursed the name of God who had power over these plagues. They did not repent and give him glory.”
Reformed Epistemology explains why unbelief is not due to lack of evidence but to suppression of truth (Romans 1:18). In contrast, believers, guided by the Spirit, embrace the properly basic knowledge of God and the revealed truth of Christ.
Ultimately, when Christ returns, faith will give way to sight. The knowledge of God that is now seen dimly through creation will be seen fully in the new heavens and new earth.
Conclusion: Warranted Belief and the Gospel
Reformed Epistemology provides a compelling apologetic by affirming that belief in God is properly basic and rational apart from evidence. It acknowledges the sensus divinitatis, aligns with biblical teaching on general revelation, and defends faith in a skeptical age.
Yet it also points beyond itself. Natural awareness of God must be completed by the Gospel of Christ, who reveals the fullness of God’s glory and secures redemption. Reformed Epistemology is therefore not an end but a bridge — showing that faith is rational and grounded, while pointing toward the saving truth of Jesus Christ.
In this way, apologetics and the Gospel remain united. Faith in God is warranted, but salvation comes only through the One who is Himself the Word made flesh.
Bible Verses on Reformed Epistemology
“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” (Psalm 19:1)
“For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.” (Romans 1:19)
“For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made.” (Romans 1:20)
“For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him.” (Romans 1:21)
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11)
“That they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us.” (Acts 17:27)
“Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17)
“For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.” (Romans 8:19)
“They cursed the name of God who had power over these plagues. They did not repent and give him glory.” (Revelation 16:9)
“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more.” (Revelation 21:4)
