The presuppositional apologetic is highly effective. In fact, it is the only way we can make any sense of the world, and the arguments for God’s existence (and, ironically, the arguments against His existence).

However, meatheads applying presuppositional apologetics are not effective. They do nothing by drive people away from the faith, and think that’s a good thing.

I just read on a messageboard, a young man (read thunder puppy) arguing with an atheist. The T.P. is a christian, and a seminarian of Westminster west. He has a lot of head knowledge, and knows that everyone has the knowledge of God written on their heart. He knows the atheist he is talking to is doing everything he can to deny God, and the honor He is due. These things are all true, and knowledge of them ought to be taken advantage of in the argument. But this guy is so harsh, so abrasive in his method, that the atheist is only more confirmed in his dislike of Christianity.

Now, it’s true that the atheist may go this way regardless, but it’s a shame when it’s our fault they do it, and not God’s. It’s one thing if God hardens their heart, and something else entirely if we harden their heart.

And the really sad part is that the young christian man is happy with himself and his behavior, and thinks he has done well. “The atheists further hardening, is, of course, just because he doesn’t like God’s truth… he just isn’t one of the elect”, he says to himself. And in so doing, denies any responsibility for his neighbor’s rejection of the faith.

All too often we reformed think that since God is sovereign, we don’t have anything to do with other people’s salvation. And this is a lie, planted by the devil himself.