BOOK REVIEW: Christianity and Liberalism by J. Gresham Machen

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The liberalism of Machen’s time -- the early 1920’s -- saw many so-called Christian leaders, teachers, and entire Bible schools and seminaries move toward a denial of the very foundations of Christian thought. Vast swaths of professors and preachers, and thus churches and denominations, began placing undue emphasis on reason and experience in no small part to the explosion of Darwinism and evolutionary theory, historical-critical approaches to the Bible, and changing social and political moods following World War 1. The result of this change of attitude led many to deny pretty much everything that had to do with the supernatural -- the inspiration of Scripture and thus its divine nature, the virgin birth of Jesus, the miracles of Jesus, the resurrection of Jesus, and many other things central to Christianity. Many began, thus, to deny the exclusivity of Christ for salvation which in turn meant that salvation could be found in any number of places, religious and otherwise. Their gospel became social, meaning that the focus of Christianity switched from belief in Jesus and a desire to follow the Scriptures to a gospel whose primary focus was on social action -- the improvement of society through social justice, poverty alleviation, and the betterment of human conditions.

Sound familiar?

It was into this milieu that J. Gresham Machen wrote Christianity and Liberalism in 1923; a book in which he criticized liberalism for denying the supernatural and diluting Christianity’s core doctrines. To Machen, liberalism is, in fact, its own distinct theological system that bears little to no resemblance to biblical Christianity. It is a fundamentally different religion and thus needs to be rejected.

His breakdown of the difference between Christianity and liberalism covers 6 chapters and deals with the following topics:

The problem with the liberal concept of God

Machen examines how liberalism reinterprets the concept of God. Liberals tend to view God not as a personal, sovereign being who intervenes in the world, but more abstractly, as a force or principle that is connected to human experience. Machen criticizes this view, arguing that it reduces God to a mere projection of human desires and undermines the biblical teaching of a transcendent, living God who saves through his Son, Jesus Christ.

The problem with the liberal concept of man

Machen discusses the liberal view of human nature, which tends to emphasize the goodness and potential of humanity. Liberalism often downplays the reality of sin and human depravity, focusing instead on human reason and the moral capacity of individuals. Machen argues that this view is incompatible with the biblical doctrine of original sin and the need for salvation through Christ. He writes, “At the very root of the modern liberal movement is the loss of the consciousness of sin.”

The problem with the liberal concept of Christ

Machen critiques the liberal understanding of Jesus Christ. Liberals tend to view Christ not as the divine Son of God who came to atone for sin, but as a moral teacher or exemplary figure. This view strips Christ of his divinity and denigrates the central role of his death and resurrection in the salvation of humanity. Machen argues that such a view fundamentally distorts the biblical portrayal of Christ. Machen writes, ““Christ died” – that is history; “Christ died for our sins” – that is doctrine (1Cor 15:3-11). Without these two elements, joined in an absolutely indissoluble union, there is no Christianity.”

The problem with the liberal concept of atonement

Machen challenges the liberal rejection of the traditional doctrine of atonement, particularly the idea that Christ’s death was a substitutionary sacrifice for sin. Liberals tend to interpret the atonement metaphorically, seeing it as an expression of God’s love to be followed rather than an essential act of redemption. Machen asserts that the biblical doctrine of atonement is central to Christianity, and any attempt to remove it or alter it renders the Christian faith meaningless.

The problem with the liberal concept of scripture

Machen critiques the liberal approach to the Bible, which often sees it as a human product rather than the inspired Word of God. Liberals typically interpret Scripture as containing valuable moral teachings but deny its divine authority and inerrancy. It is not inspired or inerrant. Machen defends the traditional view of Scripture as the inspired and authoritative Word of God, asserting that it is unequivocally essential for Christian faith and practice.

The problem with the liberal concept of salvation

The liberal understanding of salvation tends to focus on social and ethical improvement rather than personal redemption from sin. Liberalism emphasizes human efforts and societal progress over the need for divine grace and the redemptive work of Christ. It is salvation by works not faith. Machen argues that salvation, as taught in the Bible, is the result of God’s grace alone and cannot be attained through human effort. It is faith alone in Christ alone.

The problem with the liberal concept of the church

Machen asserts that liberalism is not simply a theological difference but a fundamentally different approach to the Christian faith that changes the nature of the church itself. Liberals, according to Machen, prioritize social and ethical agendas over doctrinal truth, leading to a weakening of the church’s mission and witness in the world.

Much of what Machen wrote against in 1923 is still around today. There is much different about our time, obviously, but much of the kinds of attitudes he dealt with, the kind of air that people breathe, is still around in our day. Naturalism is still here. Many of the anti-supernatural presuppositions of liberalism are still strong defeater beliefs against Christianity. The social gospel is a constant threat. His response to those things, even though written 100 years ago, should continue to be our response -- ‘Let’s commit ourselves to the word of God and let everything else fall away.’

A careful reading of Machen, with an eye to our time, is invaluable. Pair Machen’s work with the fantastic cultural examinations of Carl Trueman in The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self and Strange New World and you will be off to a pretty good start in understanding the current cultural challenges that face Christianity and be well on your way to offering a rebuttal to them.

Soli Deo Gloria