Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Christianity and Liberalism

4.3 of 5 stars 4.30 · rating details · 784 ratings · 91 reviews

Machen's classic defense of orthodox Christianity establishes the importance of scripural doctrine and contrasts the teachings of liberalism and orthodoxy on God and man, the Bbible, Christ, salvation, and the church. Though originally published nearly seventy years ago, the book maintains its relevance today.

Paperback, 199 pages

Published August 7th 1946 by William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company (first published November 30th 1922)

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

How Should We Then Live? The Rise and Decline of Western Thou... by Francis A. Schaeffer

Apologetics to the Glory of God by John M. Frame

Top 50 Seminary Books

6th out of 66 books — 16 voters

Celebration of Discipline by Richard J. Foster

"Christianity Today" Books of the 20th Century

75th out of 99 books — 27 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 1,737)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Apr 26, 2013 David Kearns rated it 5 of 5 stars

Machen's argument in Christianity and Liberalism centers on the poor reasoning that undergirds much of the modern liberal modifications of the Christian message. For a book written close to a century back, it's remarkably current. I actually feel somewhat better about the state of modern Christendom, knowing that it's been this way for a long time; our modern arguments aren't new after all. I suppose Ecclesiastes told me that, but such lessons are often illustrated best through experience.

Machen...more Machen's argument in Christianity and Liberalism centers on the poor reasoning that undergirds much of the modern liberal modifications of the Christian message. For a book written close to a century back, it's remarkably current. I actually feel somewhat better about the state of modern Christendom, knowing that it's been this way for a long time; our modern arguments aren't new after all. I suppose Ecclesiastes told me that, but such lessons are often illustrated best through experience.

Machen makes a key observation about Christian arguments: liberal Christians often use standard phrases without their standard meanings. Machen writes:

"The liberal Preacher, it may be said, is often ready to speak of the 'deity' of Christ; he is often ready to say that 'Jesus is God.' The plain man is much impressed. The preacher, he says, believes in the deity of our Lord; obviously then his unorthodoxy must concern only details; and those who object to his presence in the Church are narrow and uncharitable heresy-hunters.
"But unfortunately language is valuable only as the expression of thought. The English word 'God' has no particular virtue in itself; it is not more beautiful than other words. Its importance depends altogether upon the meaning which is attached to it. When, therefore, the liberal preachers says that 'Jesus is God,' the significance of the utterance depends altogether upon what is meant by 'God.'"

Machen continues by making the point that the liberal's definition of God, if it can even be pinned down, is quite different from the layman's. Consequently the liberal preacher's ideas seem to be only superficially different from the traditional ones, though the actual difference is great. Machen summarizes it: "The modern liberals ... say that Jesus is God not because they think high of Jesus, but because they think desperately low of God."

In one of my classes today, I made reference to Mortimer Adler's How to Read a Book. One of his insights is that understanding any argument requires clarity in its key terms; both sides must know what is meant when any notable word is used, and each must use it consistently. In my experience, many arguments against values considered traditional rest primarily on the regular use of expansive terms that—if defined at all—tend to become unimpeachable even as their meanings evaporate. "Equality" is a term in constant use today, but I've heard it used in enough ways to realize we don't all think it means the same thing. Those who see the equivocations sometimes try to point them out. Their voices are frequently drowned out in the din.

How does a society recapture its ability to think and reason critically? Is destruction and reconstruction—the historical norm—the only way?(less)

like · see review

Jul 28, 2011 David Westerfield rated it 5 of 5 stars

Written in 1923, Machen addresses a system of theology encroaching upon the church that would bring about the sure eclipse of the very Gospel itself within the 20th century. It is important to note from the outset that this liberalism is not at all the same as modern political liberalism (though there are likely some fundamental philosophical similarities), but is rather theological liberalism. (In fact, Machen was strongly opposed to entering World War I and fought vigorously at the Congression...more Written in 1923, Machen addresses a system of theology encroaching upon the church that would bring about the sure eclipse of the very Gospel itself within the 20th century. It is important to note from the outset that this liberalism is not at all the same as modern political liberalism (though there are likely some fundamental philosophical similarities), but is rather theological liberalism. (In fact, Machen was strongly opposed to entering World War I and fought vigorously at the Congressional level to keep us out, if that peaks your interest at all.) So don't stumble over the title if that happens to be your particular political bent. In his day, J. Gresham Machen, at great cost to himself, fought against the theological and doctrinal accommodation of the scientific culture within the church, who were denying miracles and the supernatural based upon empirical scientific evidence and methodologies. Despite many of his "brethren" in the day, he held out that we must adhere to the divine, supernatural nature of all that Christianity entails or else forfeit the Gospel itself: the divine inerrancy of the Scriptures, the nature and qualities of both God and man, that salvation is a supernatural work of God, that real people with real sins were atoned for by the blood of Christ, the human and divine natures of Christ, amongst many things that set Historic Christianity apart from all other religions devised by man out in the world.

The thinking of the forerunners of theological liberalism went like this, “In order to reach the scientifically enlightened culture we live in, it is not important to hold to a literal virgin birth, a literal resurrection, atonement through the cross, or any miracles really at all, mainly because these events cannot be empirically proven through scientific analysis and methods; we believe these things personally, but it is not important to hold to these things in light of science.” Because the church was increasingly falling prey to this and in danger of apostatizing from the Gospel itself as a result, Machen wrote this book in response and fought vigorously for the truth of the Scriptures, Orthodoxy, and Historic Christianity. While it is definitely possible the intentions of the original liberals were good in trying to reach a culture with Christ that had scientific empirical evidence as a presupposition when coming to the spiritual/supernatural statements of Christianity, the followers in its wake have basically denied Christianity of any supernatural and divine quality (which is how lives are effectually changed, i.e. God creates in people something that was not there through the cross of Christ). Theological Liberalism essentially renders Christianity just another choice of moralistic religions, that we are all basically good, and can morally reform ourselves outside of God, amongst a host of other religions saying the same thing.

I believe it is deeply and vastly important for modern believers in the Gospel to read this book, because there is a movement underway in our culture that is doing the same things as liberals of the early 20th century: it goes by the name of the Emerging Church. The liberalism of the 20th century addressed the Modern era, and now the Emerging church (new liberalism) addresses the postmodern era. With modernism there was scientific certainty; with postmodernism, there is total uncertainty and skepticism, and this has translated into the realm of spirituality (i.e. "we can't really know anything for sure concerning who God is, what He's like," etc). While times have changed (philosophical/cultural thinking) and even science itself (there is increasing ambiguity concerning the very nature of particles and waves in the scientific community, i.e. what scientists thought they knew for sure in the 20th century concerning matter, anti-matter, and laws of physics, they are not so sure about now, based greatly upon quantum mechanics - so miracles and the supernatural are no longer deemed as impossible scientific propositions), the premise is the same in both ages: adopt the culture with its thinking, belief structure, and presuppositions in order to win the culture for Christ. Make Christianity attractive by bringing in the thinking of the world around us.

Sounds good right? I mean, at least on a surface level, the intention may be good, which is win people for Christ! But is it effective in the long run? As John Piper properly notes in an introduction to a sermon he preached, "If you adjust your doctrine to fit the world in order to attract the world, sooner or later the world realizes that they already have what the church offers. That was the story of much of mainline Protestantism in Europe and America in the 20th century. Adjust your doctrine – or just minimize doctrine – to attract the world, and in the very process of attracting them, lose the radical truth [the Gospel itself] that alone can set them free." In order to accommodate a postmodern culture, the Emerging Church has brought down its doctrinal walls in order to win the culture. However, as history shows, this does not work. This movement will ultimately wind up blocking people from seeing, believing in, and enjoying the true Christ of the Scriptures (as opposed to the Jesus made in their own image and likeness), for which they will be held accountable before His White Throne judgment (may God have mercy on us all on that day). Emergents have themselves adopted postmodern thought within a “new” system of Christianity, that you cannot really know anything for sure, so there is no need to be dogmatic on doctrine. And in addition to this, they have in many cases totally redefined the Christian message altogether, where it is no longer distinguishable from that of other religions with their pseudo-pietistic, works-based approach to God. As with the liberalism in the 20th century that Machen addressed in this book, the Emerging Church will surely bring about the very eclipse of Christ and the Gospel (the good news of redemption!) itself in the 21st century. The Emerging Church is just version 2.0 of the theological liberalism of the 20th century. May we learn from history and glorify Jesus by adhering to His infallible Word, even if people hate us!(less)

like 1 like · see review

Jul 15, 2011 Chris Allen rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Great book. Machen articulates and then deconstructs the main points of so called "Christian Liberalism" which he rightly points out is much more liberalism than Christian. It must be pointed out that as this book was published in 1922 the liberalism that Machen is combating is not cultural liberalism, but theological liberalism.

The Church then, as it is now, was being infiltrated by those who wanted to change what it means to be a Christian. Men and women who would confess the classic orthodox...more

like · see review

May 19, 2010 John Gardner rated it 5 of 5 stars

Today, when most Americans consider the word "liberalism", we think of a political philosophy or party. In the late 19th and into the early 20th century, however, there was a movement within the Protestant church known as Liberalism. While this religious movement does have some commonalities with political liberalism (a basic belief in man's goodness and a strong humanitarian ethic, for instance), in their particulars they are really two very different things. It is religious Liberalism which Ma...more

like · see review

Nov 06, 2012 Ben Sones rated it 5 of 5 stars

I don't pretend to fully understand the history of the liberal takeover of Princeton and the Presbyterian church in the early 20th century, but most of my understanding of that great theological battle comes from reading this book. Machen's "Christianity and Liberalism" clearly and concisely demonstrates that orthodox Christianity and liberal "Christianity" are in fact two different religions which are in fundamental disagreement. While certainly worth reading for its historical significance alo...more

like · see review

Aug 04, 2011 Chase rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Machen does an excellent job describing the key differences between Christianity and liberalism. Machen is quite right when he says that liberalism sees Christ as the example of faith while Christianity sees Christ as the object of faith. It is just not nearly enough to live like Christ. Christ must be believed on. There has to be a true biblical faith element in atonement, resurrection etc. But the most astonishing part about the book is that though it was written in the 1920s it is still compl...more

like · see review

Mar 27, 2012 Daniel rated it 5 of 5 stars

An excellent book in many wells. As a work of thoughtful intellect and logic, this Princeton theological professor presents a through, reasoned, passionate and faithful treatise on the foundational dychomoty of evangelical Christianity and liberalism. Written nearly 90 years ago, his words, challenges and observations are as appropriate (if not more so) now as ever. It is a bit sobering to see the fruition and conclusion of what he warned against that has gone ignored - and the church is worse o...more

like · see review

Nov 09, 2012 John Caneday rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012

This is the work for which Machen is famous. It is a very clear and concise theological work refuting the rising tide of liberalism prevalent in the American church. It is strange to see a theologian so alarmed at the state of the church in the early twentieth century. It makes one ponder if the church has always been in a state of crisis, or if things have just gotten so bad that Machen could truly be so alarmed then.

In any case, Machen does a great job of dismantling liberalism--showing it is...more

like · see review

Mar 28, 2013 Greg Wilson rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Rarely do you find a book written almost a century ago that is still relevant for today. The things I have read by J. C. Ryle (1815 – 1900) certainly are. So is this defense of orthodox Christianity by the distinguished professor of New Testament J. Gresham Machen (1881-1937). Both World magazine and Christianity Today named it one of the top 100 books of the Twentieth Century. He helped found both Westminster Theological Seminary and the Orthodox Presbyterian Church as alternatives to liberalis...more Rarely do you find a book written almost a century ago that is still relevant for today. The things I have read by J. C. Ryle (1815 – 1900) certainly are. So is this defense of orthodox Christianity by the distinguished professor of New Testament J. Gresham Machen (1881-1937). Both World magazine and Christianity Today named it one of the top 100 books of the Twentieth Century. He helped found both Westminster Theological Seminary and the Orthodox Presbyterian Church as alternatives to liberalism. This book was written to contrast the teachings of Scripture versus the teachings of liberalism.

Machen’s premise is that true Christianity and Liberalism are two distinct religions (pg. 135). In other words, liberal Christianity is a misnomer. The tenants of liberal theology and Christian doctrine are opposed. He does a masterful job of proving his point.

A reoccurring theme is that Christianity is a faith that is based upon fact. “But if Christian faith is based upon truth, then it is not the faith which saves the Christian, but the object of the faith” (pg. 120). “The narration of the facts is history; the narration of the facts with the meaning of the facts is doctrine” (pg. 25). This includes the miraculous.

“Reject the miracles and you have in Jesus the fairest flower of humanity who made such an impression upon His followers that after His death they could not believe that He had perished but experienced hallucinations in which they thought they saw Him risen from the dean: accept the miracles, and you have a Saviour who came voluntarily into this world for our salvation, suffered for our sins upon the Cross, rose again from the dead by the power of God and ever lives to make intercession for us. The difference between those two views is the difference between two diverse religions” (pg. 93).

As Carl Trueman wrote in the foreword “It is no wonder, then, that liberalism is totally different from Christianity, for the foundation is different. Christianity is founded upon the Bible. It bases upon the Bible both its thinking and its life. Liberalism on the other hand is founded upon the shifting emotions of sinful men.”
(less)

like · see review

Nov 13, 2011 Adam rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: essentials

”I have just read my way through this, with distaste and discomfort but with reluctant and growing admiration for Machen's mind. I have never seen a stronger case made for the argument that institutional Christianity must regard cultural liberalism an enemy of faith.” -Harold Bloom, The American Religion

Bloom’s comment on this--Machen’s best-known book--will likely resonate quite pleasantly in Reformed circles for years to come. It’s easy to see why the book is a modern touchstone for the Refor...more

like 1 like · see review

Oct 09, 2010 Adam T Calvert rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: theology

If you enjoy underlining or highlighting important, insightful, or otherwise noteworthy passages in books, then just forget about with this one, because the entire piece from beginning to end will be marked.

The book is simple in its organization and is laid out as follows:

I. Introduction
II. Doctrine
III. God and Man
IV. The Bible
V. Christ
VI. Salvation
VII. The Church

From the beginning of the book to the end, J. Gresham Machen, a true hero of the faith, pits the Christianity of historical orthodoxy...more If you enjoy underlining or highlighting important, insightful, or otherwise noteworthy passages in books, then just forget about with this one, because the entire piece from beginning to end will be marked.

The book is simple in its organization and is laid out as follows:

I. Introduction
II. Doctrine
III. God and Man
IV. The Bible
V. Christ
VI. Salvation
VII. The Church

From the beginning of the book to the end, J. Gresham Machen, a true hero of the faith, pits the Christianity of historical orthodoxy against the 'Christianity' of Liberalism (a rising movement in 1923 when he wrote the book). And beginning to end, the reader can be nothing else but enraptured in hearing the true Gospel preached and defended against the woefully crafty schemes of the god of this world. Liberalism is time and again shown to be representing something 'like' Christianity but completely wrong in all respects.

This is the book that started Westminster Theological Seminary and the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. I would recommend it to anyone who wants a deeper understanding of the historical conflict of Liberalism with Christianity and/or any believer who wants to better understand the Christian position on any of the items in the table of contents.

May our Lord Christ bless you in your studies!

P.S. Another note here regarding publishing companies. I again had the unhappy circumstance of obtaining a 'fake' copy (if I can call it that). While this is not as unpleasing as my experience with Abraham Kuyper's "Lectures on Calvinism," the copy of "Christianity and Liberlaism" from which I read was produced by an unknown publishing company(?) called "Bibliolife." Again, the experience was much better than that from the "Feather Trail Press" publisher. But you can tell that these pages are not re-published in a genuine format. They are obviously scans from someone's slightly marked copy.

If you are to purchase the book, I again would recommend you get a copy from a recognized publishing company. This particular book can be found in print by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. A recent edition was printed in 2009 that includes a foreward by Carl Trueman, Vice President for Academic Affairs at Westminster Theological Seminary.(less)

like 2 likes · see review

Dec 25, 2010 Rick Davis rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: bible-theology

Several years ago, coming fresh from the cloister of Liberty University and looking for a career in the real world, I had a surreal experience during a job interview. The boss who was interviewing me noticed that I was a religion major and asked what I thought about all the people out there who still believed that Jesus was actually God. I was a bit taken aback by this question. I knew the man’s church to be a conservative, Bible-believing church, and I personally knew the man’s pastor likewise...more Several years ago, coming fresh from the cloister of Liberty University and looking for a career in the real world, I had a surreal experience during a job interview. The boss who was interviewing me noticed that I was a religion major and asked what I thought about all the people out there who still believed that Jesus was actually God. I was a bit taken aback by this question. I knew the man’s church to be a conservative, Bible-believing church, and I personally knew the man’s pastor likewise to be a faithful preacher. Yet, this man assumed that because I was educated as a religion major, I would be a member of an elite group of people who can wink at one another over the heads of the ignorant and superstitious masses. I spent the rest of the awkward interview, for a job unrelated to the field of religion mind you, listening to the man explain that Jesus never claimed to be God and that whenever it looks like He is it’s only because prophets and holy men always spoke in God’s name. I had to disagree of course, firmly but tactfully, not wanting to start a relationship with a potential employer with an explosive theological argument. I think we both came away from that interview with some illusions shattered. He couldn’t believe that an intelligent, educated person could really believe all those stories of miracles and resurrection, and I couldn’t believe that there were total theological liberals still attending small-town conservative churches.

All this is simply to say that Christianity and Liberalism by J. Gresham Machen is as timely today as it was when it was originally written almost ninety years ago. Machen attacks liberalism (theological not political) which has for the last 150 years or so set itself against the understanding of the historic Church. In this book, Machen attempts to demonstrate that liberalism, far from being just another development within Christianity, is actually a completely different religion with different foundational principles attempting to use the same terminology as faithful Christians in order to hijack Christianity into a different way of thinking. The main difference between liberalism and other non-Christian movements that attempt to use the same language, Mormonism for example, is that unlike those movements that break off and start aberrant heretical sects, liberalism exists within the realm of the orthodox Church and co-opts the resources and efforts of faithful Christians for its own ends.

Machen walks through six specific areas in which liberalism departs from true Christianity: the importance of doctrine, the natures of God and man, the Bible, the person and nature of Christ, the purpose and goal of salvation, and the role and importance of the Church. While some of the material in the book is a bit dated, overall the book is excellent and ought to be read widely by thinking Christians. One of the things that pleasantly surprised me about this book was its catholicity. Machen, the founder of what would become the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, willingly admits his Reformed Protestant beliefs, but yet considers himself closer to a Roman Catholic than a liberal in his own denomination. In other words, he draws the boundary lines of the faith correctly freely admitting that despite disagreements, Lutherans, Anglicans, Roman Catholics and Orthodox believers are all Christians and must all be ready to stand against the onslaught of modernism and liberalism which attack the very foundations of the Christian faith.
(less)

like 1 like · see review

Jul 05, 2010 Sarah rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-i-own, evangelicalism, history

So, I dug into my Presby roots a little and decided that J. Gresham Machen was made of awesome.

It is fascinating to see how Machen makes his case that early 20th century theological liberalism and (proto-evangelical-coalition) traditional Christianity were essentially two different religions. But, more than that, it's amazing how prescient Machen seems; in 1923, he anticipated much of what has come to divide denominations today (which is fairly continuous with the early Fundamentalist/liberal s...more

like · see review

Oct 22, 2009 Wendy Rabe rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-aloud-with-kids, re-read

This book by J. Gresham Machen is as timely today as when it was written in the 1920s. He makes it clear that liberal Christianity is not Christianity at all, since it totally rejects the supernatural (including the physical resurrection of Jesus) and focuses only on certain "ideals" set forth in the stories of the Bible (i.e., good conquers evil). Liberalism is shown to actually be a religion of works -- Jesus himself is seen primarily as a doer of good deeds, an example that we are to follow....more

like · see review

Oct 01, 2011 Charles Erlandson rated it 5 of 5 stars

Clear Diagnosis of What Liberal Christianity Is

Even though J. Gresham Machen’s “Christianity and Liberalism” was first written in 1923, it’s still a relevant and important analysis of liberal Christianity. Machen writes with great clarity and as one who engaged with liberal Christianity (or “Liberalism”) in his own denomination (Presbyterian). In fact, he was one of the leading defenders of orthodox Christianity in the early 20th century. “Christianity and Liberalism” remains an excellent intro...more

like · see review

Oct 03, 2009 Aadel Bussinger rated it 5 of 5 stars

A very thorough examination of the liberalism that had invaded Christianity in the early 1900's, the issues of this book are still very pertinent to our time. J. Gresham Machen stresses the importance of scriptural truth and doctrine in maintaining an orthodox Christianity. In fact, the author maintains that what is called Christianity, and yet has no basis in scripture nor fellowship in orthodoxy, should not be presented as Christianity at all.

like · see review

Jan 05, 2013 Stephen Sarma-Weierman rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Wherever one falls on the liberal Christianity vs. orthodoxy/fundamentalism, J. Gresham Machen's work is an important part of the early 20th century debate. It is a clearly-written and excellent summation of the orthodox fundamentalist arguments that continues to influence conservative Christianity.

In spite of its readability, Machen's style in dismissing liberalism as non-Christian by virtue of its heterodoxical views of Christ is distracting and ultimately hurts his arguments.

Yet, even with th...more

like · see review

Jun 22, 2011 Todd Miles rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: theology, prolegomena

Having finally gotten around to reading this Christian classic, I was not disappointed. Though dated (published in the early 20th century), it has an eerie contemporary feel to it. Given the current proposals presented by Rob Bell, Brian McClaren, et al., it seems that the challenges that Machen addressed under the banner of liberalism are not all that new. Machen makes a convincing case that the Christian liberalism of the early 20th century was in fact not a Christianity of any discernable str...more

like · see review

Feb 23, 2013 Philip rated it 5 of 5 stars

A classic line in the sand with massive contemporary significance. This notion that one can claim to be a follower of Christ and yet deny that we can know anything he said or should dismiss much of what his apostles said must draw to an end. Truly there comes a point when these speculations become something altogether un-Christian.

like · see review

Jul 11, 2012 Jason rated it 5 of 5 stars

It is sad that this book had to be written, but I am thankful it was. Machen does a phenomenal job in defining true Christianity against the liberalism that was seeping in the church during the 1920's. He rightly concluded that liberal Christianity is not really Christianity at all. Thankful for Machen's stand for the truth and that it has been preserved in this volume.

like · see review

Jul 27, 2012 Brad rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A fantastic book that goes hand in hand with "One or Two" by Dr. Peter Jones, which I read immediately prior. Machen here deals primarily with the creeping influence of liberalism within the very walls (and leadership!) of local churches, though, while Jones spoke primarily about true Christianity as distinct from the rest of the world's religions.

It's both disturbing and reassuring that Machen notes the problems with so-called "liberal Christianity" back in 1923-- disturbing that the roots are...more

like · see review

Apr 24, 2009 Mike rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: theology

Great book. Written in the 1920s it is every bit as relevant today. Machen explains the Gospel in a clear and grown up way and shows that anything that purports to be the Gospel but doesn't have the parts isn't Christianity at all and in fact is an enemy of God and his Christ.

like · see review

Aug 19, 2012 Todd rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: christian-maturity, practical-theology

Truly a classic! Machen's defense of biblical orthodoxy is as relevant today as it was during the early decades of the 20th century. Machen effectively argues that theological liberalism, far from being a branch of Christianity is an entirely different religion.

like · see review

Sep 22, 2012 Barry rated it 5 of 5 stars

Written 90 years ago, Machen's defense of biblical Christianity againist the heresies of "progressive" liberal theology of the early 20th century is still good reading for anyone who wants to think clearly and biblically about the sound Christian doctrine.

like · see review

Jun 20, 2012 Charles Puskas rated it 4 of 5 stars

I read this title at Wheaton College in Prof. Robert Webber's class on historical theology. Machen challenged Harnack's notion of Christianity as the Fatherhood of God, Brotherhood of Man, and ethic of Love, arguing for a more evangelical position

like · see review

May 16, 2012 Henry rated it 5 of 5 stars

Machen does an excellent job of showing that anti-supernatural liberalism deserves to be considered a different religion from Christianity, rather than a respectable variant of it, and hence that it should be viewed as destructive to souls.

like 1 like · see review

Nov 25, 2012 Brian Watson rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is an excellent, short book written in 1923. Though it was written because of the liberal Christianity that existed then, almost all of it could be written today. It's a great example of what true Christianity is and is not.

like · see review

Jun 02, 2012 Jacob Aitken rated it 4 of 5 stars

Good for its time. Rightly shows liberalism to be a false religion. I am not entirely sure of how useful it can be for today's battle, aside from broad outlines. New Testament studies (and the countering unbelief) have moved on.

like · see review

Jan 26, 2012 Tom F rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is one of the most important books in modern Christianity. Machen showed the difference between Christianity and "liberal Christianity" then, and the truths in the book still hold out against the emergent church movement today.

like 1 like · see review

Oct 19, 2009 Jeff Rottman rated it 5 of 5 stars

An excellent book that just kept getting better. The final three chapters (Christ, Salvation and The Church) are phenomenal. I would highly recommend this book to anyone seeking a very educated, through defense of orthodox Christianity.

like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 57 58 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »

Recommend it | Stats | Recent status updates

combine
Other Editions (12)

More editions...

Genres

Religion > Theology

67 users

Religion > Christianity

16 users

Christian

12 users

Non Fiction

8 users

Religion

6 users

History

6 users

Philosophy

6 users

Church > Church History

5 users

Politics

3 users

Culture > Cultural Studies

2 users

See top shelves...

Readers also enjoyed similar books

About J. Gresham Machen

John 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 Presbyteri...more

More about J. Gresham Machen...

Books by J. Gresham Machen

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About Christianity and ...

No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »

Quotes from Christianity and Liber...

“Place the lives of children in their formative years, despite the convictions of their parents, under the intimate control of experts appointed by the state, force them to attend schools where the higher aspirations of humanity are crushed out, and where the mind is filled with the materialism of the day, and it is difficult to see how even the remnants of liberty can subsist.” — 13 people liked it

“A public-school system, if it means the providing of free education for those who desire it, is a noteworthy and beneficent achievement of modern times; but when once it becomes monopolistic it is the most perfect instrument for tyranny which has yet been devised. Freedom of thought in the middle ages was combated by the Inquisition, but the modern method is far more effective.’ (1923)” — 12 people liked it

More quotes…

title link	preview: Christianity and Liberalism
avg rating	preview: Christianity and Liberalism Goodreads rating: 4.30 (784 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/156871.Christianity_and_Liberalism?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1172264559l/156871.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/156871.Christianity_and_Liberalism?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Christianity and Liberalism by J. Gresham Machen[/url]

Christianity and Liberalism

Friend Reviews

Community Reviews

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website