As early as 1925, Machenism was a codeword for BIG FAT CHURCH MEANIE-PANTS EXTRORDINAIRE . . . only two years after Christianity and Liberalism was published. It would seem that purveyors of clear and punchy polemic have never gone unpunished in the parlors of the pious . . .
Breaking news—Machen was a controversial controverter of ecclesial controversies. The big question is not why Machen trampled a few toes, but why there weren’t more pastors hopping around on one foot, wincing in pain and stifling bad words. Of what was Machen a “controversial advocate? Well, it was for the historic Christian faith, the Bible, and supernatural religion. And poor Fosdick! To hear this reviewer tell it, Machen “pushed” the dear man into controversy! The humanity! Rigid, mechanical Machen could have been worse, it seems, but he was still pretty dang hurty.
Ten years later, TIME magazine—evidently no friend of conservative Christianity—also delighted in the drubbing that “fundamentalists,” of whom Machen was supposedly chief, took at the PCUSA’s 1935 General Assembly (its 147th) in lovely Cincinnati. And the breezy magazine correspondent quoted the haters who huffed about “Machenism!”
Read more»Brad Isbell | “Machenism or Machen Vs. the “Machinists” | Apr 30, 2025
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Brad Isbell
Brad Isbell is a ruling elder at Covenant Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Oak Ridge, TN, board member of More In The PCA, co-host of the Presbycast podcast, editorial member of Presbyterian Polity, and treasurer of the Heidelberg Reformation Association.
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Had a conversation with a PCA TE one morning and it somehow strayed onto the subject of reform in the church and Machen. His response was a roll of the eyes and the dropping of the head. I was quite suprised by this, only to learn shortly after that he was a student of Mr. Frame at RTS and a very close friend at that.
There are times when I think back on that meeting and the subjects that were covered, accompanied by omelettes and breakfast taco’s, that I realized the influence of those in supposed power had on young-ish able minds.
Machen was rail-roaded out of the church, and not because I was a meany using hurty words, so was I.
Your posts are concise, compact and a pleasure to read.
Thank you.