New Modernism

Van Til's brief yet penetrating analysis emerged from his growing concern that orthodox Reformed theology faced a subtler threat than the liberal modernism of the early twentieth century. Writing in the aftermath of World War II, he observed that a new form of theological compromise was gaining ground—one that maintained evangelical language while undermining the very foundations of Christian truth through philosophical concessions to secular thought.

The work argues that this "new modernism" is more dangerous than its predecessor precisely because it operates from within conservative circles, employing traditional terminology while evacuating it of biblical content. Van Til demonstrates how seemingly minor philosophical compromises—accepting autonomous human reason as the starting point for knowledge, or treating Scripture as one authority among others rather than the final authority—inevitably lead to the erosion of core Christian doctrines. He traces how theologians who claim to defend orthodoxy nonetheless adopt methodological assumptions that make genuine Christian knowledge impossible. The book functions as both diagnostic tool and warning, showing how presuppositional commitments determine theological conclusions more decisively than explicit doctrinal statements.

The work has remained influential within Reformed circles as a concise statement of Van Til's presuppositional method and his critique of theological compromise. It continues to serve as a handbook for identifying subtle forms of unbelief that masquerade as faithful scholarship. Seminary students and pastors working in intellectually challenging environments will find Van Til's analysis particularly valuable for understanding how philosophical assumptions shape theological method. Those seeking a gentle introduction to apologetics or looking for irenic engagement with non-Reformed traditions should begin elsewhere, as Van Til's approach is uncompromisingly confrontational and specifically tailored to Reformed theological concerns.