In my sixth decade, Cold War spy novels captured me, and I believe I know why. As a child, I was about all things related to war and the military. I say all things, but really my interests were limited to the American . . . Continue reading →
The real defenders of liberty are those who are devoted to it for its own sake, who believe that freedom of speech means not only freedom for those with whom they are agreed but also freedom for those to whom they are . . . Continue reading →
At the end of the first paragraph of Christianity and Liberalism, the quotable Machen spun out a sentence for the ages, a statement striking rightness: In the sphere of religion, as in other spheres, the things about which men are agreed are apt . . . Continue reading →
When one recalls the family ties dating back to Baltimore days and the pleasant contacts of Machen’s early years at Princeton, the violence of van Dyke’s attack is rather overwhelming. These considerations only serve to point up, however, the thoroughness of van . . . Continue reading →
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 . . . Continue reading →
Darryl Hart (as always) has a provocative (in the best sense) article at Old Life.1 His use of the categories “militants” and “moderates” is very useful and helpful. To anticipate a criticism: yes, Reformed people can sometimes be jerks.2 Neither Darryl nor . . . Continue reading →
Machen wrote a letter to a notable politician on April 20, 1933. Just as he saw what was coming with fascism in the 1930s in Europe, so Machen saw the encroaching menace of the National Football League, which held its first championship . . . Continue reading →
In all controversy, however, the great principle of liberty should be preserved. I am old-fashioned in my belief that the Bible is true, but I am equally old-fashioned in my love of freedom. I am opposed to the attack on freedom in whatever . . . Continue reading →
As someone who spends a lot of time in the online world, reading a work with a clearly defined goal and supported by real research the author did themselves is unusually refreshing. For that reason alone, I would give this book five . . . Continue reading →
100 years have passed since the publication of J. Gresham Machen’s classic polemic-apologetic book Christianity and Liberalism. The world has changed a lot in the intervening century. The Protestant churches certainly look different, with the mainline (in and for which Machen fought) hurtling . . . Continue reading →
This is part 81 in our series from Machen’s Christianity and Liberalism. Continue reading →
This is part 80 in our series from Machen’s Christianity and Liberalism. Continue reading →
This is part 79 in our series from Machen’s Christianity and Liberalism. Continue reading →
This is part 77 in our series from Machen’s Christianity and Liberalism. Continue reading →
This is part 77 in our series from Machen’s Christianity and Liberalism. Continue reading →
This is part 76 in our series from Machen’s Christianity and Liberalism. Continue reading →
This is part 75 in our series from Machen’s Christianity and Liberalism. Continue reading →
This is part 74 in our series from Machen’s Christianity and Liberalism. Continue reading →
This is part 73 in our series from Machen’s Christianity and Liberalism. Continue reading →
This is part 72 in our series from Machen’s Christianity and Liberalism. Continue reading →