J. Gresham Machen (1881–1936)

The Acton Institute ^ | July/August 1994

[Alex Murphy]

"Everywhere there rises before our eyes the specter of a society where security, if it is attained at all, will be attained at the expense of freedom, where the security that is attained will be the security of fed beasts in a stable, and where all the high aspirations of humanity will have been crushed by an all-powerful state."

One of the most articulate defenders of orthodox Christian theology against the liberalizing and rationalizing trends of the early twentieth century was J. Gresham Machen. Influenced by his Reformed Protestant background, Machen was trained as a pastor at Princeton Seminary (once the center of conservative Calvinism), and authored numerous religious texts. Distressed by the forces of theological liberalism, Machen left his teaching post at Princeton to found the Westminster Theological Seminary and the Orthodox Presbyterian denomination.

Yet the radical ideas Machen resisted were not exclusively theological. His historical significance also lay in his opposition to the increasing encroachment of the state in the lives of American citizens. According to historian George Marsden, Machen's politics were “radically libertarian.” As Marsden explains, Machen “opposed almost any extension of state power and took stands on a variety of issues. Like most libertarians, his stances violated usual categories of liberal or conservative.”

In his most important work on freedom, Christianity and Liberalism, he made his case for individual liberty. In it he wrote that “Personality can only be developed in the realm of individual choice. And that realm, in the modern state, is being slowly but steadily eradicated.” He saw theological liberalism and increasing state control growing at the same time and warned that as the church withdrew from its biblical obligations to its fellow man, a void was created filled by the state.

[Alex Murphy]

"...as the church withdrew from its biblical obligations to its fellow man, a void was created, filled by the state..."

According to Acton's website, this article is dated July and August 1994 | Volume 4 | Number 4. Oddly, it came up in a search of today's news.

[alpha-8-25-02]

http://www.biblebelievers.com/machen/index.html

Christianity and Liberalism By J. Gresham Machen "J. Gresham Machen (1881-1937), was a Presbyterian theologian, born at Baltimore, Maryland, studied at John Hopkins, Princeton University, and the universities of Marburg and Gottingen, Germany.... Taught New Testament literature and exegesis in Princeton Theological Seminary (1906-1929).... An outstanding conservative apologist and theologian at Princeton, he left the school because of Modernism. Offered the presidency of several schools; but refused each offer. In 1929 founded Westminster Theological Seminary and became president and professor of New Testament from 1929 to 1937. Protesting against the liberalism of the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions, established an independent mission board. Charged with insubordination, tried, found guilty, and suspended from the Presbyterian ministry. Group of sixteen other clergymen and laymen with Dr. Machen withdrew in 1936 to found the Orthodox Presbyterian Church.... Died of pneumonia on a preaching engagement." (From "The Wycliffe Biographical Dictionary of the Church," page 257, Elgin S. Moyer, 1982, ©Moody Press, Chicago, IL)

[Frumanchu]

Glad that it did. We cannot point too much to men like Machen in days like these. He is among the men I admire the most and his work is extremely edifying. Thanks for posting it :)

[Ciexyz]

Faith-sharing bump.

[prairiebreeze]

"...as the church withdrew from its biblical obligations to its fellow man, a void was created, filled by the state..."

Indeed. Such as the religion of liberalism and globull warming.

bump!

[kaehurowing]

Everything he predicted has come true.

[Alex Murphy]

Everything he predicted has come true.

Which begs the question - how did he know?

[kaehurowing]

It was predestined.