David L. Bahnsen is the son of the late Dr. Greg Bahnsen. He has a good web site full of articles that I highly recommend reading whenever you have the chance.
A couple of days ago I was looking through some of his articles regarding his father, Dr. Greg Bahnsen. I stumbled upon one article entitled “My Favorite Part of the Great Debate.” The Great Debate was between Dr. Bahnsen (a Christian) and Dr. Stein (an Atheist) and has been well known as one of the best debated to listen to for representing how to effectively do Presuppositional Apologetics with an atheist.
Anyone interested in this debate should check out this web site to find the MP3s of the debate for free download.
Here is David Bahnsen’s favorite part!
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Dr. Bahnsen: Are all factual questions answered in the same way?
Dr. Stein: No, they are not. They’re answered by the use of certain methods, though, that are the same – reason, logic, presenting evidence, and facts.
Dr. Bahnsen: All right. I heard you mention logical binds and logical self-contradictions in your speech. You did say that?
Dr. Stein: I said. I used that phrase, yes.
Dr. Bahnsen: Do you believe there are laws of logic, then?
Dr. Stein: Absolutely
Dr. Bahnsen: Are they universal?
Dr. Stein: They’re agreed upon by human beings. They aren’t laws that exist out in nature. They’re consensual.
Dr. Bahnsen: Are they simply conventions, then?
Dr. Stein: They are conventions, but they are conventions that are self-verifying
Dr. Bahnsen: Are they sociological laws or laws of thought?
Dr. Stein: They are laws of thought which are interpreted by men and promulgated by men
Dr. Bahnsen: Are they material in nature?
Dr. Stein: How an a law be material in nature?
Dr. Bahnsen: That’s a question I am going to ask you
Dr. Stein: I would say no
[MODERATOR: Dr. Stein, you now have an opportunity to cross-examine Dr. Bahnsen]
Dr. Stein: Dr. Bahnsen, would you call God material or immaterial?
Dr. Bahnsen: Immaterial
Dr. Stein: What is something that is immaterial?
Dr. Bahnsen: Something not extended in space
Dr. Stein: Can you give me an example of anything other than God that is immaterial?
Dr. Bahnsen: The laws of logic
[MODERATOR: I am going to have to ask the audience to hold it down please. Please. Refrain from laughter and applause. Can you hold that down please?]
