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"Right Reason" and the Princeton Mind: An Unorthodox Proposal

Paul Kjoss Helseth (Author)

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Binding: Paperback
Page Count: 304
Publisher: P&R Publishing
ISBN#: 9781596381438

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Description: According to the "orthodox" consensus, the Presbyterian professors at Old Princeton Seminary (1812–1929), influenced by Common Sense Realism and Baconianism, betrayed traditional Reformed theology by their alleged claim that human reason was in certain significant ways unaffected by the fall. Through a masterful examination of the Old Princetonians' writings, Paul Helseth's unorthodox proposal turns the orthodox interpretation on its head, showing what Alexander, Hodge, Warfield, and others actually believed regarding reason's powers and the way theology should be constructed.

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"His argument is cogent, and it clears away the debris of unjust criticism so that we can again be delighted in the insights of Old Princeton Calvinism. As it turns out, the Old Princetonians are an attractive alternative to the confusions of modern liberalism and postfoundationalism."
—John M. Frame, Reformed Theological Seminary

"I have followed Paul Helseth's development of this research for almost 15 years. His abilities and analysis remain, even if we quibble over a few matters, among the most impressive in this field. In Right Reason, he attempts, and I believe largely succeeds, to rehabilitate an important aspect of Reformed epistemology in America. Rather than repeating the often incorrect caricatures of some of the strongest Princeton leaders, Helseth has cut through the mist in order to clearly present their thinking on key epistemological matters. He does for these Princetonians what Richard Muller has done for Calvin's successors! We need this corrective; and I am deeply thankful for Dr. Helseth's research and fine work in this needed volume."
--David W. Hall, Executive Director, Calvin 500

"From time to time a book comes along that reverses a widely shared paradigm. This wonderful study is such a volume. It presents a much needed corrective to the 'orthodox' interpretation of the Old Princeton Theology, which is that Common Sense Realism and rationalism so shaped the approach of Archibald Alexander, Charles Hodge, B. B. Warfield, and their peers, that they often sounded more like Enlightenment thinkers than Calvinists. In his characteristically careful and thorough manner, without denying some appropriation of the prevailing philosophy by these giants, Helseth shows that they were theologians of the heart, in essential continuity with the Reformation approach. In the bargain we are given a sane look into the relation of Kuyper and Warfield, Machen and Van Til, and much more. The book is especially timely in that post-conservative evangelicals often claim that Old Princeton elevated ideas at the expense of piety. Helseth puts that view to rest, in a powerful plea for right doctrine alongside fervent piety. This is essential reading for all who care about that balance."
--William Edgar, professor of apologetics, Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia

"This book is overdue. The apologetic task as understood by the Old Princetonians is too often mischaracterized and too seldom investigated with thoroughness and care. Helseth has read the primary sources more thoroughly and more carefully and has provided a needed corrective. His Right Reason deserves a wide hearing and will serve well toward a more accurate understanding of the Princetonians’ robust doctrine of man and sin and corresponding apologetic outlook. Heartily recommended."
--Fred G. Zaspel, Pastor, Reformed Baptist Church, Franconia, PA. Author, The Theology of B.B. Warfield

"This book needed to be written in order to reinvigorate the evangelical view of the inspiration Scripture as held by Archibald Alexander, Charles Hodge, B.B. Warfield and of J. Gresham Machen. Written in that way it now needs to be read and recognized by those who claim to know and share this as the 'Princeton view.' When this presentation is known, it will not be possible to dismiss the 'Princeton view' as simply an outworking of Scottish 'Common Sense' philosophy. It will be acknowledged as drawn from the Scriptures and intended as the Biblical view of Inspiration. Buy this book!"
--Roger Nicole, visiting professor of Theology, Reformed Theological Seminary, Orlando campus

"There are those in contemporary evangelicalism who see Old Princeton and what it represents as a relic of bygone era.  Days gone and, thankfully to them, forgotten.  I am mystified.  More importantly, Professor Helseth is mystified, and in this book he shows rather deftly how the Princetonians woefully get misunderstood and misinterpreted and too readily and easily cast aside.  Helseth further shows how--once the Princetonians are understood rightly, once this critical concept of right reason is understood correctly--the Princetonians are a healthy and worthy model for theologians today.  Ignore what people say the Princetonians said and read this book to find out what they really said.  Next to the writings of the Princetonians themeselves, the grand works of Hodge and Warfield and company, this is the best and the most important book on Old Princeton."
--Stephen J. Nichols, Research Professor of Christianity and Culture, Lancaster Bible College

About the Author
Paul Kjoss Helseth is Professor of Christian Thought at Northwestern College in St. Paul, Minnesota.

"Right Reason" and the Princeton Mind: An Unorthodox Proposal
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Monergism Books is a Reformed Christian Internet bookseller with the goal of equipping Christians in the truth by making available the finest classic resources of historical orthodoxy. This is done in the hope that the church will embrace, and recover a Christ-centered gospel and the true Biblical doctrines of the historic faith.


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