基督教知识论
A Christian Theory of Knowledge
科尼利厄斯·范泰尔 / Cornelius Van Til
简介 Summary
前设护教学大师范泰尔的认识论巨著。范泰尔论证，真正的知识只能建立在基督教世界观的基础上，因为只有承认三位一体上帝的存在，才能为逻辑、道德和经验知识提供终极根据。书中详细批判了非基督教哲学的认识论预设，展示其内在的不一致性，同时阐释基督教信仰如何提供知识的可能性条件。这是前设护教学的经典文献。
Presuppositional apologetics master Van Til's magnum opus on epistemology. Van Til argues that genuine knowledge can only be established on Christian worldview foundations, as only acknowledging the Triune God's existence can provide ultimate grounds for logical, moral, and empirical knowledge. The work critiques epistemological presuppositions of non-Christian philosophy in detail, demonstrating their internal inconsistencies while explaining how Christian faith provides knowledge's possibility conditions. This is a classic text of presuppositional apologetics.
📑 章节 Chapters
Ch.1: The Fundamental Nature of the Knowledge Problem
范泰尔开篇指出，知识问题不是中性的技术问题，而是根本的宗教问题。每个认识论体系都建立在某种终极承诺之上。非基督教的知识论试图将人作为认知的终极标准，这必然导致知识的相对主义和怀疑主义。
Van Til begins by noting that the knowledge problem is not a neutral technical issue but a fundamental religious question. Every epistemological system rests on some ultimate commitment. Non-Christian epistemologies attempt to make humans the ultimate standard of knowledge, necessarily leading to relativism and skepticism in knowledge.
“The question of knowledge is never merely logical but always religious at its core. 知识问题从来不仅仅是逻辑性的，而是在其核心总是宗教性的。”
“There is no neutral ground on which believer and unbeliever can meet to discuss the question of knowledge. 信徒和不信者没有中性的立足点来讨论知识问题。”
Ch.2: The Trinity and the Possibility of Knowledge
范泰尔论证只有三位一体的神才能为知识提供终极基础。圣父是知识的源头，圣子是知识的内容（道），圣灵是知识的光照者。这种三位一体的认知结构为统一性与多样性、普遍性与特殊性提供了基础。
Van Til argues that only the Triune God can provide ultimate foundation for knowledge. The Father is knowledge's source, the Son is knowledge's content (the Word), the Spirit is knowledge's illuminator. This Trinitarian cognitive structure provides foundation for unity and diversity, universality and particularity.
“The Trinity is not an obstacle to rational thought but the precondition that makes rational thought possible. 三位一体不是理性思考的障碍，而是使理性思考成为可能的前提条件。”
“Only a God who is both one and many can account for both the unity and diversity we find in knowledge. 只有既是一又是多的神才能解释我们在知识中发现的统一性和多样性。”
Ch.3: The Relationship Between Revelation and Reason
分析启示与理性的正确关系。理性不是启示的法官，而是启示的仆人。理性本身需要启示来定义其正当功能。自主理性的概念是堕落的产物，试图将受造的理性置于创造主之上。
Analyzes the proper relationship between revelation and reason. Reason is not revelation's judge but its servant. Reason itself needs revelation to define its proper function. The concept of autonomous reason is a product of the fall, attempting to place created reason above the Creator.
“Reason is a good gift of God but becomes destructive when it seeks to be autonomous from God. 理性是神的美好恩赐，但当它试图脱离神而自主时就变得具有破坏性。”
“There is no conflict between true reason and divine revelation, because true reason operates within the framework provided by revelation. 真理性和神圣启示之间没有冲突，因为真理性在启示提供的框架内运作。”
Ch.4: The Unity of Natural and Special Revelation
范泰尔强调自然启示与圣经启示的统一性。两者都源于同一位神，传达同一个真理。自然启示足够清楚地显示神的存在和基本属性，但由于罪的蒙蔽，人需要圣经启示的光照来正确理解自然启示。
Van Til emphasizes the unity of natural and special revelation. Both originate from the same God and communicate the same truth. Natural revelation clearly enough displays God's existence and basic attributes, but due to sin's blinding, humans need special revelation's illumination to properly understand natural revelation.
“General revelation is clear enough to leave men without excuse, but because of sin, special revelation is necessary for salvation. 普通启示足够清楚，使人无可推诿，但因为罪，特殊启示对救恩是必要的。”
“Scripture does not add to natural revelation but removes the scales from our eyes so we can see what was always there. 圣经不是对自然启示的添加，而是移除我们眼中的鳞片，让我们看见一直就在那里的东西。”
Ch.5: The Predicament of Non-Christian Epistemology
系统分析非基督教认识论面临的根本困境。无论是经验主义、理性主义还是康德的综合，都无法解决知识的统一性和确定性问题。这些体系最终导向相对主义或怀疑主义，因为它们缺乏绝对的参照点。
Systematically analyzes the fundamental predicament of non-Christian epistemologies. Whether empiricism, rationalism, or Kantian synthesis, none can solve problems of knowledge's unity and certainty. These systems ultimately lead to relativism or skepticism because they lack an absolute reference point.
“Every non-Christian epistemology ultimately reduces to either dogmatism or skepticism. 每一种非基督教认识论最终都要么归结为教条主义，要么归结为怀疑主义。”
“The unbeliever's epistemology is like a man sawing off the branch he is sitting on. 不信者的认识论就像一个人锯掉自己坐着的树枝。”
Ch.6: The Analogical Theory of Knowledge
阐释范泰尔的类比知识论。人的知识是对神知识的类比，既有相似性又有差异性。神的知识是原型（archetypal），人的知识是模型（ectypal）。这种类比关系既保证了知识的真实性，又承认了被造理性的有限性。
Explicates Van Til's analogical theory of knowledge. Human knowledge is analogous to God's knowledge, having both similarity and difference. God's knowledge is archetypal, human knowledge is ectypal. This analogical relationship both guarantees knowledge's authenticity and acknowledges created reason's finitude.
“Human knowledge is truly knowledge because it corresponds to God's knowledge, though it can never be identical with it. 人的知识是真正的知识，因为它对应于神的知识，尽管它永远不能与神的知识等同。”
“We think God's thoughts after him, but we think them as creatures, not as God himself thinks them. 我们思想神的思想，但我们作为受造物思想它们，不像神自己那样思想它们。”
Ch.7: Science and the Christian Worldview
讨论科学研究与基督教世界观的关系。真正的科学只有在基督教框架内才可能，因为基督教提供了自然的统一性、规律性和可知性的基础。现代科学的危机根源于其背离了基督教的形而上学前提。
Discusses the relationship between scientific research and Christian worldview. True science is only possible within a Christian framework, as Christianity provides the foundation for nature's unity, regularity, and knowability. Modern science's crisis stems from its departure from Christian metaphysical presuppositions.
“Science without God is like trying to count without numbers. 没有神的科学就像试图不用数字来计算。”
“The Christian worldview provides the only adequate foundation for the scientific enterprise. 基督教世界观为科学事业提供了唯一充分的基础。”
Ch.8: Apologetic Implications of Christian Epistemology
探讨基督教知识论在护教实践中的应用。护教的目标不是向不信者"证明"神的存在，而是揭示他们世界观的内在矛盾，同时展示只有基督教世界观才能为知识、道德和经验提供一致的解释。
Explores applications of Christian epistemology in apologetic practice. Apologetics' goal is not to 'prove' God's existence to unbelievers but to reveal their worldview's internal contradictions while demonstrating that only Christian worldview can provide coherent explanation for knowledge, morality, and experience.
“The goal of apologetics is not to make Christianity probable but to show that without Christianity, nothing is probable. 护教学的目标不是使基督教变得可能，而是证明没有基督教，什么都不可能。”
“We do not argue to Christianity from some supposedly neutral standpoint; we argue from Christianity to the impossibility of any other position. 我们不是从某个所谓中性的立场论证到基督教；我们是从基督教论证到任何其他立场的不可能性。”