Robert D. Knudsen (July 1924 – 21 Feb 2000) was born in Oakland, CA, he studied philosophy at U.C. Berkeley, apologetics under Cornelius Van Til at Westminster Theological Seminary, and spent two years at Union Theolological Seminary, where he studied under Paul Tillich and Reinhold Niebuhr. Then in the Netherlands, he met his wife and did doctoral work under Prof. S. U. Zuidema at the Free University, Amsterdam. In 1958, he returned to teach apologetics at Westminster. Bob retired in 1995, and has been active in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church for most of his life. In January 1999, fluent in Dutch, he taught “A Christian Worldview” in Suriname under an OPC mission there. Knudsen was a member of the editorial board of Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith and had been an executive committee member.
A fetschrift for Knudsen was published in the Westminster Theological Journal 58 (1) (Spring 1996)A memorial lecture by Arthur J. Fox is available here.
An obituary by Arthur Fox is here
Robert Knudsen, Roots and Branches: The Quest For Meaning And Truth In Modern Thought. 380 pp. ISBN 978-0-88815-206-0.Roots and Branches is a broad-ranging collection of writings that analyses the philosophical foundations of a number of crucial movements, ideas and writers of the twentieth century including Rudolph Bultman, Nicolas Berdyaev, Karl Jaspers, and a four part series on Paul Tillich. The final section of the book is devoted to four articles that expertly addresses the work of Herman Dooyeweerd.
26 Lectures on Calvinistic Philosophy (1989)
1.Introduction _
2. Calvin’s View as Interpreted by the Calvinistic Philosophy
4. Kuyper–The Heart of Man II; Bavinck I
6. The Problem of a Starting Point; Stoker I
10. Vollenhoven IV
11. Vollenhoven V
12. Vollenhoven VI
13. Vollenhoven VII
14. Vollenhoven VIII
15. Vollenhoven IX; Dooyeweerd I
16. Dooyeweerd II
17. Dooyeweerd III
18. Dooyeweerd IV
19. H. Stoker I
20. H. Stoker II
21. Van Til I
22. Van Til II
23. Van Til III
24. Christian Apologetics and the Reformation of Philosophy
24 Lectures on Herman Dooyeweerd (1994)
1.Introduction _
2. Lace
3. Marburg School of Neo-Kantianism
4. Baden School of Neo-Kantianism; Phenomenology
8. The Transcendental Critique of Theoretical Thought
9. Reflection of self; Critique of thought itself
12. The First Transcendental Problem
13. The Second Transcendental Problem I
14. The Second Transcendental Problem II
15. The Third Transcendental Problem
16. Religious Groundmotives: Form/Matter
17. Religious Groundmotives: Creation-Fall-Redemption
18. Religious Groundmotives: Nature/Grace; Nature/Freedom
19. Early Criticism of Dooyeweerd’s Philosophy
20. The Relationship between Theology and Philosophy
21. Dooyeweerd’s view of the soul
22. Criticisms of Dooyeweerd’s transcendental critique
23. Major Contributions of Dooyeweerd’s Philosophy
Bibliography
His Presbyterian Guardian articles are available from here.
1952
Symbol and Myth in Contemporary Theology, With Special Reference to the Thought of Paul Tillich, Reinhold Niebuhr, and Nicolas Berdyaev. Unpublished dissertation for the degree of S.T.M., Union Theological Seminary, New York.
1953
‘Calvinism in the Arena,’ Calvin Forum 18 (2) (February): 139–42.
‘Toward a Reformed Philosophy.’ Torch and Trumpet 3 (1)(April-May), 24, 32.
‘Philosophical Miscellanea.’ Journal of the American Scientific Affiliation 5(2) (June,): 20–21.
‘Philosophy‘ Journal of the American Scientific Affiliation 5 (September 1953): 14-15.
‘Philosophy’ Journal of the American Scientific Affiliation 5(4) (Dec): 16-17.
Paths to God-Center Living. Syllabus for course Christian World View, Rockmont College, Denver. Mimeographed.
‘Existentialism.’ Journal of the American Scientific Affiliation 5( 3) (September): 14–15.
‘Husserl.’ Journal of the American Scientific Affiliation 5 (4) (December): 16–17.
1954
‘Life-Philosophy.’ Journal of the American Scientific Affiliation, VI, No 1 (March): 33–34.
‘The Idea of Christian Scientific Endeavor in the Thought of Herman Dooyeweerd.’ Journal of the American Scientific Affiliation, VI, No 2 (June,): 8–12.
‘The History of Science.’ Journal of the American Scientific Affiliation6 (2) (June): 26–27.
‘Philosophy’ Journal of the American Scientific Affiliation 6 (March): 33-34.
‘Philosophy: Christianity and culture’ Journal of the American Scientific Affiliation 6 (September 1954): 26-27.
‘Josef Bohatec.’ Journal of the American Scientific Affiliation 6 (4) (December): 17–18.
1955
‘Philosophy: Reinhold Neibuhr on Faith and Culture.’ Journal of the American Scientific Affiliation 7 (1) (March, 1955): 27–28.
‘Introduction to Philosophy.’ Journal of the American Scientific Affiliation 7 (2) (June): 18–20.
‘Natural Law.’ Journal of the American Scientific Affiliation 7 (4) (December): 31–32.
1956
Karl Heim and The Transformation of The Scientific World View Journal of the American Scientific Affiliation 8 (June): 10-15
‘Philosophy’ Journal of the American Scientific Affiliation (Dec): 31-32
‘Paul Tillich and natural theology’ Journal of the American Scientific Affiliation
1957
‘Beyond Existentialism?’ Journal of the American Scientific Affiliation 9 (1) (March): 16–17.
‘Crisis of Science.’ Journal of the American Scientific Affiliation 9( 2) (June, 1957): 19–20.
‘Sputnik and the Philosophy of Education.’ Journal of the American Scientific Affiliation, 9 (4) (December, 1957): 19–20.
1958
‘Karl Jaspers on the Meaning of Science.’ Journal of the American Scientific Affiliation, X, No 1 (March, 1958): 25–26.
The Idea of Transcendence in the Philosophy of Karl Jaspers: Academisch Proefschrift ter verkrijging van de graad van Doctor in de Letteren en Wijsbegeerte, Vrije Universiteit te Amsterdam. Kampen: J. H. Kok, 1958.
Translation: Gerrit C. Berkouwer: Faith and Perseverance. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1958.
‘Karl Jaspers on the Meaning of Science,’ II. Journal of the American Scientific Affiliation, X, No 3 (September, 1958): 18–19.
‘Karl Jaspers on the Meaning of Science,’ III. Journal of the American Scientific Affiliation, X, No 4 (December, 1958): 23–24.
‘Visit to a Dutch Synod.’ Presbyterian Guardian, XXVII, No 3 (March 15, 1958): 37–38.
‘One Message Only.’ Presbyterian Guardian, XXVII, No 9 (October 15, 1958): 134–35, 144.
1959
‘Milton’s Paradise Lost.’ Christianity Today, III (February 16, 1959): 14–16.
‘The Glory of the Ministry.’ Presbyterian Guardian, XXVIII, No 13 (July 25, 1959): 195–98.
‘Come, Holy Spirit.’ Presbyterian Guardian, XXVIII, No 20 (December 5, 1959): 307–10.
‘The Third Man.’ Presbyterian Guardian, XXVIII, No 6 (March 25, 1959): 85.
‘Ride On.’ Presbyterian Guardian, XXVIII, No 5 (March 10, 1959):73.
‘A Faith that Redeemed.’ Presbyterian Guardian, XXVIII, No 11 (June 25, 1959): 178.
‘The Knockout Blow.’ Presbyterian Guardian, XXVIII, No 16 (September 25, 1959): 256.
‘The Resurrection of Theism.’ Journal of the American Scientific Affiliation 11 (3) (September): 15–16.
1960
‘Adorning the Gospel.’ Presbyterian Guardian, XXIX, No 4 (March 25, 1960): 53.
‘Grace Abounding.’ Presbyterian Guardian, XXIX, No 10 (October, 1960): 150.
‘What Do You Confess?’ Presbyterian Guardian, XXIX, No 12 (December, 1960): 181.
‘Philosophical Historiography ’ Journal of the American Scientific Affiliation 12 (September 1960): 87-89.
1961
‘Heavenly Manna.’ Presbyterian Guardian, XXX, No 2 (February, 1961): 40.
‘Modern Thinkers.’ Journal of the American Scientific Affiliation, XIII, No 1 (March, 1961): 23–24.
‘Demetrius.’ Presbyterian Guardian, XXX, No 3 (March, 1961): 60.
‘Modern Thinkers, II.’ Journal of the American Scientific Affiliation, XIII, No 2 (June, 1961): 56–57.
‘Nature and Freedom in the Development of Reinhold Neibuhr’s Idea of Myth?’ Perspectief: Feestbundel van de jongeren bij het vijfentwintig jarig bestaan van de Vereniging voor Calvinistische Wijsbegeerte. Kampen: J. H. Kok: 183–89.
‘Symbol and Reality in Nicolas Berdyaev.’ Westminster Theological Journal, XXIV (November, 1961): 38–47.
1962
‘Let the Church Be the Church.’ Presbyterian Guardian, XXXI, No 2 (February, 1962): 25.
‘How to Conquer Your Neighbor.’ Presbyterian Guardian, XXXI, No 9 (October, 1962): 144.
‘Ethics and Birth Control.’ Journal of the American Scientific Affiliation, XIV, No 1 (March, 1962): 7–11.
‘A Question of World View.’ Journal of the American Scientific Affiliation, XIV, No 1 (March, 1962): 28–29.
‘Philosophical Anthropology.’ Journal of the American Scientific Affiliation, XIV (September, 1962): 90.
1963
Symbol and Myth in Contemporary Theology, With Special Reference to the Thought of Paul Tillich, Reinhold Niebuhr, and Nicolas Berdyaev. 2nd, slightly revised edition of the thesis for the degree of S.T.M., Union Theological Seminary, New York, 1952). Mimeographed.
1964
Edwin H. Palmer, ed. Encyclopedia of Christianity, Vol. I. Wilmington, DE: National Foundation for Christian Education.
Articles.: ‘Althaus,’ 159–60; ‘Apologists,’ 369–70; ‘Aulén,’ 494–95; ‘Berdyaev,’ 634–35; ‘Bergson, Henri,’ 637–38.
‘The Nature of Regeneration,’ Carl F. H. Henry, ed.: Christian Faith and Modern Theology. New York: Channel Press: 305–21.
1966
‘Rudolf Bultmann.’ Philip E. Hughes, ed.: Creative Minds in Contemporary Theology. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans: 131–62.
Sociology. Evidences Syllabus, part VIII. Mimeographed, 1966.
Translation: Herman Dooyeweerd: ‘The Secularization of Science,’ International Reformed Bulletin, no. 26 (9th year; July, 1966): 2–17. Translated with notes from ‘La sécularisation de la science.’ La revue Réformée, V (1954): 138–57.
1967
Dialectic and Synthesis in Contemporary Theology. Mimeographed.
‘The Ambiguity of Human Autonomy and Freedom in the thought of Paul Tillich,’ I. Philosophia Reformata, XXXIII (1967): 55–67.
‘What Evangelicals Can Learn from Abraham Kuyper and Herman Bavinck as to Theological Methodology.’ Lecture delivered at the 19th Annual Convention of the Evangelical Theological Society, Toronto, Ontario, December 27-29, 1967. Mimeographed.
1968
The Analogical Concepts. Translated by Robert D. Knudsen from Herman Dooyeweerd: De analogische grondbegrippen der vakwetenschappen en hun betrekking tot de structuur van den menselijken ervaringshorizon. Amsterdam: Noord-Hollandsche Uitgeversmaatschappij, 1954. Mimeographed.
‘The Ambiguity of Human Autonomy and Freedom in the Thought of Paul Tillich,’ II. Philosophia Reformata, XXXIII : 32–44.
Philosophia Reformanda: Reflections on the Philosophy of Herman Dooyeweerd. Mimeographed.
Gary G. Cohen, ed. Encyclopedia of Christianity, Vol II. Wilmington, DE: National Foundation for Christian Education. Articles.: ‘Blondel, Maurice,’ 117–18; ‘Bohatec, Jósef,’ 128; ‘Buber, Martin,’ 204–7.
1969
‘The Ambiguity of Human Autonomy and Freedom in the Thought of Paul Tillich,’ III. Philosophia Reformata, XXXIV : 38–51.
History. Evidences Syllabus, part VII. Mimeographed, 1969.
‘Transcendental Motives in Karl Jasper’s Philosophy.’ Philosophia Reformata, XXXIV: 122–33.
Where to Now? Lecture delivered to the meeting of the Middle-Atlantic Chapter of the Association for the Advancement of Christian Scholarship, Philadelphia, May, 15, 1969. Mimeographed.
1971
‘Progressive and Regressive Tendencies in Christian Apologetics.’ Jerusalem and Athens: Critical Discussions on the Theology and Apologetics of Cornelius Van Til. E. R. Geehan, ed. Philadelphia: Presbyterian and Reformed: 275–98.
Translation: J. A Mekkes: ‘Knowing.’ Jerusalem and Athens: Critical Discussions on the Theology and Apologetics of Cornelius Van Til. E. R. Geehan, ed. Philadelphia: Presbyterian and Reformed: 306–19.
Philosophia Reformanda: Reflections on the philosophy of Herman Dooyeweerd mimeographed. WTS.
1972
Psychology. Syllabus for the course, ‘The Encounter of Christianity with Secular Science,’ part VI. Mimeographed. [The ‘Secularization’ course was formerly called ‘Evidences.’]
‘Anathema or Dialogue?’ Westminster Theological Journal, XXXIV (May): 137–51.
Sociology. Syllabus for the course, ‘The Encounter of Christianity with Secular Science,’ part VIII. Mimeographed. [The ‘Secularization’ course was formerly called ‘Evidences.’]
‘The Ambiguity of Human Autonomy and Freedom in the Thought of Paul Tillich,’ IV. Philosophia Reformata, XXXVII: 3–25.
Philip E. Hughes, ed. Encyclopedia of Christianity, Vol. III. Wilmington, DE: National Foundation for Christian Education.
Articles.: ‘Conceptualism,’ 81–82; ‘Croce, Benedetto,’ 250–51; ‘Dostoevsky,’ 449–50; ‘Dualism,’ 465–66.
Philip E. Hughes, ed. Encyclopedia of Christianity, Vol. IV. Wilmington, DE: National Foundation for Christian Education.
Articles.: Fénelon,’ 189–90; ‘Fichte,’ 192–93.
1973
‘Crosscurrents.’ Westminster Theological Journal, XXXV (Spring), 303–14.
‘Roots of the New Theology.’ Scripture and Confession: A Book about Confessions Old and New. John H. Skilton, ed. Philadelphia: Presbyterian and Reformed:. 247–73.
‘Moral Theology.’ Baker’s Dictionary of Christian Ethics. Carl F. H. Henry, ed. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House: 433–34.
1974
‘Introduction.’ For the general syllabus for the course ‘The Philosophy of Herman Dooyeweerd.’ Mimeographed. (See 1993 entry). Outline of syllabus here.
1975
Merrill C. Tenney, ed.: The Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1975. Vol. V.
Articles.: ‘Reconciliation,’ 44–45; ‘Redeemer, Redemption,’ 49–51; ‘Regeneration,’ 52–57.
1976
History: The Encounter of Christianity with Secular Science. Cherry Hill, NJ: Mack Publishing Co., 1976.
‘To Our Readers.’ Westminster Theological Journal, XXXVIII (Spring): 279–280.
Translation (with Ali M. Knudsen): Jan Dengerink: ‘The Idea of Justice in Christian Perspective.’ Westminster Theological Journal, XXXIX (Fall): 1–59.
1978
‘Analysis of Theological Concepts: A Methodological Sketch.’ Westminster Theological Journal, XL (Spring): 229–44.
‘Modal Aspects.’ Anakainosis 1 (1) (September): 2–6.
1979
‘Enkapsis.’ Anakainosis 1 (2) (January):4–5.
‘Transcendental Method in Dooyeweerd.’ Anakainosis 1,(3 )(April): 2–8.
‘Introduction,’ Herman Dooyeweerd: The Secularization of Science. Memphis, TN: Christian Studies Center. Translated with notes from ‘La sécularisation de la science.’ La revue Réformée 5 (1954): 138–57. (See entry, 1966).
‘Dooyeweerd’s Doctrine of Science.’ Journal of the American Scientific Affiliation, XXXI, No 4 (December): 209–13. see also here
1980
Psychology: The Encounter of Christianity with Secular Science. Memphis, TN: Christian Studies Center.
‘Apologetics and History.’ Life is Religion: Essays in Honor of H. Evan Runner. Henry Vander Goot, ed. St. Catherines, ONT: Paideia Press: 119–33.
1981
Sociology: The Encounter of Christianity with Secular Science. Memphis, TN: Christian Studies Center.
1982
‘Calvinism as a Cultural Force.’ John Calvin: His Influence in the Western World. W. Stanford Reid, ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan): 13–29.
1986
‘The Transcendental Perspective of Westminster’s Apologetic.’ Westminster Theological Journal, XLVIII, (Fall): 223–39.
1987
Co-author (with John M. Frame): ‘Van Til, Cornelius, 1895–1987.’ Fundamentalist Journal, VI (Spring): 36–37.
1988
‘The Significance of Cornelius Van Til.’ The Outlook, XXXVIII, No 5 (May): 13–14.
Sinclair B. Ferguson and David W. Wright, eds.: New Dictionary of Theology. Leicester/Downer’s Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1988. Articles: ‘Dooyeweerd, Herman,’ 206–7; ‘Images,’ 329–30; ‘Symbol,’ 669–70.
1990
‘May We Use the Term ‘Theonomy’ [for our Application of Biblical Law]?’ Theonomy: A Reformed Critique. William S. Barker and W. Robert Godfrey, eds. Grand Rapids: Zondervan: 15–37.
‘Witness and Dialogue in Missions.’ New Horizons, 11, No 2 (February): 15–16.
‘Do Christians Have a Political Agenda?’ New Horizons, 11, No 5 (May): 19–20.
‘Salt and Light.’ Trinity Topics (September, October): 1–2.
1991
‘The Defense of the Faith in the Early Church.’ New Horizons, 12, No 10 (December): 19–20.
1992
‘Foundations.’ New Horizons, 13, No 8 (October): 26.
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