J. Gresham Machen

by Sean Michael Lucas

Dubbed at his death "Doctor Fundamentalis," J. Gresham Machen (1881-1937) was one of the most significant defenders of evangelical Christianity in the early twentieth century. Raised in American Presbyterianism, he wrestled deeply with the challenge of Protestant Modernism and provided some of the most significant responses to it, particularly his classic book Christianity and Liberalism. He pointed the way forward toward a Christianity that was both intellectually rigorous and spiritually satisfying, one that was rooted in a trustworthy Bible and in a confessional tradition which in turn produced a genuine faith in Christ. As a result, Machen continues to provide lessons today for those who desire to be valiant for truth in the midst of a hostile world.

Genres: Biography

130 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2015

About the author

Sean Michael Lucas is the Senior Minister of First Presbyterian Church, Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Prior to this, he served as Chief Academic Officer and associate professor of church history at Covenant Theological Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri. He received BA and MA degrees from Bob Jones University and his PhD degree from Westminster Theological Seminary.

Reviews

[Erik · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nice, concise summary of Machen’s life and influence on the church. It’s hard to read it and not see parallels in today’s Reformed churches.

[Jason Foreman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful overview of the life and influence of Machen. I was especially impressed with the last several pages offering a view of Machen's indirect influence through the OPC and other foundational Westminster faculty and students.

It was an encouragement to see Machen as a hero of orthodox, historical faith while still being able to see his flaws and slight mishandling of different situations. Christian heroes are just as in need of the grace of God as the rest of us.

[James Bunyan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Particularly clear regarding the debates and divisions of the day that Machen faced from within 20th Century Presbyterianism.

[Scott Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic short biography on a pillar of Reformed doctrine and Christology.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very readable and inspiring treatment of Machen - recommended.

[Paul · Rating 2 out of 5]

not very well written to be honest - a hugely important life made so dull

[Sarahelisabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a short biography of J. Gresham Machen. It outlines his life including his personal struggle with liberal Christianity while studying in Germany; his belief that history and the Bible had to be compatible which led to his personal work. The book left me wanting to read Machen's magnus opus, Christianity and Liberalism.
The biography goes onto explain the difficulties that transpired both at Princeton Seminary and in the Presbyterian Church in the USA from liberal Christianity and from Machen's stand against this.
Whilst the biography wetted my appetite to know more, it doesn't give a clear picture of Machen as a person. I recently read Tim Challies' blog post about Machen's Mother's influence in his return to reformed teaching but sadly, this isn't mentioned in the book. Machen was involved in division and then divisions again in the latter years of his life. Certainly, the first division seems to be a stand for the truth but why did the further divisions, over smaller matters, occur? What was Machen like as a man? He wasn't married but was he the sort of person who was a peace maker? What was he like at dinner with friends? I suspect the Stonehouse biography of Machen may have more answers on this score but it is a shame that this short biography touched so little on character.