Christianity and Liberalism

by John Gresham Machen

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

Genres: Christian, Theology, Philosophy

198 pages, Hardcover

Published October 26, 2022

Reviews

[Zach Worden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some quick thoughts: I knew this book was a classic, but was not expecting it to be so devotional and spiritually invigorating. As a believer, it’s hard to read this book and not want to worship God for His amazing grace displayed in the gospel – a gospel that is real and historic, with real bearings today.

Christianity is not merely “a life” to be lived, but it is a glorious doctrine to embrace. Christian ethics without Christian doctrine is not Christianity, but the “liberalism” of which Machen combatted 100 years ago.

Machen reminds us that the gospel is the most precious thing and worthy of defending with all our hearts. This book feels like it was written yesterday, it is so relevant. I would commend it to any believer and also any one who is convinced that we need not care about doctrine, only how we live our lives.

Definitely want to reread at some point.

[Christopher Humphrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is not often the case that a book written to combat a specific issue in the 1920’s could still be relevant today. But “Christianity and Liberalism” by J. Gresham Machen is just such a book. This book was first published in 1923, in the shadow of the fallout from WWI. The books was written as an instruction manual of sorts for Christian churches to combat the onslaught of theological liberalism that was permeating mainline churches in America.

Machen makes a bold and cogent defense of historic Christianity as defined by the inerrant, infallible Word of God, and he explains how those who would undermine historic Christianity are departing from the once for all delivered to the saints faith. Although the modernists of the time wish to denominate themselves “Christian,” Machen points out the obvious that one cannot depart from the teachings of Scripture and continue to, in any sense, be considered a Christian church.

Machen addresses the novel theology propagated by the modernists in the areas of doctrine in general, and particularly in the areas of God and Man, the Bible, Christ, Salvation, and the Church. His clarion call for the defense of the Church is as relevant today as it was then. For today we may not call such deniers of the historic Christian faith “modernists” but they indeed are wolves in sheep’s clothing, and they are leading people astray in ways that separate them from historic Christianity, while claiming that Christianity as common ground.

Every generation must contend for the Christian faith. The Bible, inspired by the Holy Spirit of God is true, accurate and authoritative in every area of life. So, as Machen would argue, that to depart from that is to remove oneself from historic Christianity. The true Church, Machen argues, cannot accommodate error in an effort to keep the peace, because that very error will lead the Church into further error, and it will no longer be Christian.

There is a reason this book remains relevant, and Christian leaders should read and heed Machen’s call to faithfulness. Happy reading!

[Art · Rating 4 out of 5]

J. Gresham Machen published this book exactly 100 years ago. Considered perhaps the last great theologian of Princeton Theological Seminary, Machen wrote this book to challenge modernist theology in Christianity. Modernist/Liberal theologians generally DO NOT believe in one or more of the following: God, the Virgin Birth, sin, the divinity of Jesus, miracles, resurrection, and some of the ethics taught in the New Testament. These theologians do have a belief system, but Machen argues it is not Christianity. It's "another gospel" or belief system. He encourages these "theologians" to either accept the doctrinal teachings of Jesus and his Apostles or become honest atheists/agnostics/pantheists. After he lost the battle with the modernists at Princeton, he started his own seminary and branch of the Presbyterian denomination. As the book is just over 150 pages, the author is rather blunt and does not subscribe to any sort of sentimentalism.

[priya · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were certainly beautiful and solid assertions of Christian orthodoxy in this book. There was also, unfortunately, wildly incomplete or understated ideas about God and His character. It was also surprising to read of something described as "modern liberalism" that can be traced back further than the 20th century (shoutout to the Enlightenment. Look up the Jefferson Bible if you think unbelief in the supernatural power of God and an elevated view of science is a 20th century invention).

My favorite line:"But whatever the solution there may be, one thing is clear. There must be somewhere groups of redeemed men and women who can gather together humbly in the name of Christ, to give thanks to Him for His unspeakable gift, and to worship the Father through Him."

I wish the entire book read like this.

[Charlie Sutton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating and excellent analysis of the difference between historic biblical Christianity and the new ideas about the Christian faith that render Jesus into a wise sage and God the Father into a kindly but impotent grandfather. Liberalism sought to accommodate the supernatural faith of the Church to a more "scientific" faith. In so doing, it made Christianity into mere hopefulness and a legalistic morality.
Machen showed that only the historic, supernatural faith of the Bible gives any hope for humanity, for only in the perfect life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection can we find the mercy we need and the power to grow in goodness and peace.

[Rachel Grepke · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a book written oh so long ago, it is just as important, if not more so, now. While some moments feel like run on sentences, he expells his points throughly and excellently. There were many times while reading I just said an "amen" in agreement. Through the lens of this book you can see and begin to understand the underlying thoughts behind things like the prosperity gospel and deconstruction. This world needs Jesus and we believers need to take our faith as serious as Christ and the disciples did. I highly suggest this book and look forward to reading it again.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although it was published 100 years ago, this book is eerily contemporary. Machen's unapologetic defense of conservative, orthodox, evangelical Christianity against destructive liberalism is on point and insightful. Point by point Machen delineates how liberalism has undermined the foundations of the faith with regard to doctrine, God and man, the Bible, Christ, salvation, and the church. This book is a needed warning and should be required reading for every Christian.

[James Nash · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very solid analysis of the difference between the essence of Christianity and the essence of what was called liberalism in Machen's day. The essence is this: our greatest problem is our own sin, and God sent his son to die to redeem us from it, and he rose again. Anything that strays from these truths is not Christianity at all.

[Suzannah Waddington · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is just as relevant today as it was 100 years ago, which is both encouraging and saddening. Machem lays out a thorough and engaging argument, defending Biblical Christianity and the messianic nature of Jesus. Highly recommend this read.

[Harrison Staab · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written in 1923, but is as relevant today as ever. It is a timeless call for the Church to stand firm against the modern liberal tendency to water down the truth of Scripture. At the time, this book was hopeful and prophetic. Today, it reads like an historical account of the fall of the Church.

[Steven Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every Christian should read this book.