Machen on Theological Controversy

[Pilgrim]

Clear-cut definition of terms in religious matters, bold facing of the logical implications of religious views, is by many persons regarded as an impious proceeding. May it not discourage contribution to mission boards? May it not hinder the progress of consolidation, and produce a poor showing in columns of Church statistics? But with such persons we cannot possibly bring ourselves to agree. Light may seem at times to be an impertinent intruder, but it is always beneficial in the end. The type of religion which rejoices in the pious sound of traditional phrases, regardless of their meanings, or shrinks from "controversial" matters, will never stand amid the shocks of life. In the sphere of religion, as in other spheres, the things about which men are agreed are apt to be the things that are least worth holding; the really important things are the things about which men will fight."

J. Gresham Machen, "Christianity and Liberalism" p. 1-2.

 

[turmeric]

 

[JJF]

In a word: Machen is da man!

 

[Theogenes]

Two days ago I stood in the pulpit where Machen preached his last sermon before he died! It's in a church in Carson, ND. I almost had goose bumps. He got pneumonia soon after and died in a hopsital in or near Bismarck, ND.

Jim

 

[ef]

Originally posted by Jim Snyder
Two days ago I stood in the pulpit where Machen preached his last sermon before he died! It's in a church in Carson, ND. I almost had goose bumps. He got pneumonia soon after and died in a hopsital in or near Bismarck, ND.

Jim

Jim,

That is awesome... indeed, Machen was the greatest theologian God gave the Church in the 20th Century.

His telegram from his death bed to John Murray says so much, "Grateful for the active obedience of Christ: no hope without it."

Christianity & Liberalism was a book written against the errors of modernism, but if you read it you'd wonder if he wasn't a prophet speaking to the perils of post-modernity as well. Indeed, Machen was DA MAN!

 

[bookslover]

Personally, I think Machen's Christianity and Liberalism is the single most important Christian book published in the 20th century. It's just as relevant today as it was when it was first published 83 years ago.

And, notice, it was published by Macmillan - a secular publisher, who wouldn't touch a book like that with a ten-foot pole today!

I think #2 on my list of most important Christian books in the 20th century would be Principles of Conduct: Aspects of Biblical Ethics (1957) by John Murray (1898-1975).