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God Transcendent
In these messages, Machen expounds the greatness and the glory of God, the wonder and power of the gospel and the exhilaration of serving Christ in the front line of spiritual warfare.
206 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1991
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About the author
J. Gresham Machen
101 books142 followersJohn Gresham Machen was an influential American Presbyterian theologian in the early 20th century. He was the Professor of New Testament at Princeton Seminary between 1915 and 1929, and led a conservative revolt against modernist theology at Princeton and formed Westminster Seminary as a more orthodox alternative. This split was irreconcilable, and Machen led others to form the Orthodox Presbyterian Church.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 22, 2019
J. Gresham Machen has the academic rigor of R.C. Sproul, the backbone of Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, and mental acuity of C.S. Lewis.
March 15, 2022
Though the title is a bit misleading, and there is a want of exegesis at times, this series of addresses/sermons is fantastic. Machen’s ability to lucidly capture the tenor of Scripture is what keeps me coming back to him.
December 20, 2019
A very uneven set of sermons and other addresses from one of the stalwarts of twentieth-century orthodoxy. Sad to say, but the straight sermons are the worst elements of this book. Very little exegesis; a whole lot of cultural commentary and critique. Machen was very good at the latter, but that's not the point of the sermon! Lift high the cross! His addresses to seminary students are better, especially one in which he takes the time to expound a few verses from 2 Corinthians phrase-by-phrase. Now he's teaching the Scriptures!
The best part of this little Banner of Truth classic is the set of radio addresses that constitute the last quarter of the book. These were delivered not long before Machen's untimely death, and in them he tackles discrete and key elements of systematic theology, such as the active obedience of Christ (one of Machen's most famous topics, thanks in no small part to his death-bed telegram to John Murray). These addresses explain the topics well, from Scripture, while also applying them appropriate to the lives of his listeners. I would read a whole of such work, gladly. I'll skip the sermons, sadly.
The best part of this little Banner of Truth classic is the set of radio addresses that constitute the last quarter of the book. These were delivered not long before Machen's untimely death, and in them he tackles discrete and key elements of systematic theology, such as the active obedience of Christ (one of Machen's most famous topics, thanks in no small part to his death-bed telegram to John Murray). These addresses explain the topics well, from Scripture, while also applying them appropriate to the lives of his listeners. I would read a whole of such work, gladly. I'll skip the sermons, sadly.
July 20, 2018
Don't bother with this book. I expected so much more from the man who wrote "Christianity and Liberalism."
These sermons rarely exposit the Scripture passage they accompany, and they are, for the most part, dryly academic. The title suggests an exciting look at our Transcendent, holy God. Instead we get moralistic ramblings about the woes of our secular culture, and not much else. There is some value in doing this, of course, but not at the expense of the topic -- God's transcendent majesty!
I am giving this book a second star, because the fourth sermon, "Sin's Wages and God's Gift," does have some true value. I recommend this chapter. I read chapters 1-5, so perhaps it gets better. Unfortunately, I just don't have it in me to waste any more time on this book for the time being.
These sermons rarely exposit the Scripture passage they accompany, and they are, for the most part, dryly academic. The title suggests an exciting look at our Transcendent, holy God. Instead we get moralistic ramblings about the woes of our secular culture, and not much else. There is some value in doing this, of course, but not at the expense of the topic -- God's transcendent majesty!
I am giving this book a second star, because the fourth sermon, "Sin's Wages and God's Gift," does have some true value. I recommend this chapter. I read chapters 1-5, so perhaps it gets better. Unfortunately, I just don't have it in me to waste any more time on this book for the time being.
September 27, 2023
While Machen's preaching isn't strictly expository, a lot of it is very moving and quite insightful. I have always loved Machen's voice in writing, his passion for Christ and the truth is always at the core of it all. What a great man!
January 3, 2026
Love Machen. His writing is a bit dry at times. But the addresses that are actual sermons are a delight. This man not only had a tight grip on the importance of truth but also a great fervor for that truth.
I think my favorite was his sermon on 2 Cor 5:14 - the Love of Christ constrains us
I think my favorite was his sermon on 2 Cor 5:14 - the Love of Christ constrains us
October 8, 2014
Once you reach the 16th sermon in this collection, you will have the key to Machen's teaching method: preaching in this age of ours ought to concern itself mainly with exposing the encroaching heresies of phony “progress” by asserting the stark, solid truth of basic doctrine. Machen's use of the English language throughout is both spare and expert. Some sermons here, such as “The Separateness of the Church,” are so fine, so necessary that I wish every Christian would read them.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews