*Christianity and Liberalism*

*Christianity and Liberalism* is a seminal theological work by J. Gresham Machen, a professor at Princeton Theological Seminary, published in 1923. The book argues that theological liberalism, as represented by figures in the Fundamentalism–Modernist controversy, is not a form of Christianity but an entirely different religion. Machen’s polemic became a foundational text for evangelicalism and a key document in the split that led to the formation of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church.

Historical context and publication

The book emerged during the intense Fundamentalism–Modernist controversy that roiled American Protestantism in the early 20th century. This period was marked by debates over biblical criticism, the authority of Scripture, and the impact of Darwinism on Christian doctrine. Machen, teaching New Testament at Princeton Theological Seminary, was a staunch defender of Princeton Theology and Calvinist orthodoxy against rising liberal thought within institutions like the University of Chicago Divinity School. Published by Eerdmans in 1923, the work was a direct response to the growing influence of theologians such as Harry Emerson Fosdick and the broader Social Gospel movement. The controversy culminated in Machen’s departure from Princeton Theological Seminary and his role in founding Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia in 1929.

Central theological contrasts

Machen’s core argument is that liberalism and Christianity are fundamentally opposed systems. He contends that liberalism, influenced by Kantian philosophy and Schleiermacherian theology, bases religion on human experience and sentiment. In stark contrast, historic Christianity, as defined by the Westminster Confession of Faith, is a system of doctrine revealed by God in the Bible. Machen asserts that liberalism denies supernatural elements like the Virgin Birth and the Resurrection of Jesus, reducing Jesus to a mere moral teacher rather than the divine Christ of the Apostles' Creed. This shift, he argues, changes the faith from an objective message of salvation to a subjective expression of human piety.

Doctrinal points of contention

The book systematically contrasts orthodox and liberal positions on key doctrines. On God, Machen defends the Trinity and God’s transcendence against liberal immanentism. Regarding humanity, he upholds the doctrine of sin and the need for redemption, opposing the liberal view of innate human goodness. The authority of Scripture and its inerrancy is central, contrasted with liberal higher criticism. On Christology, Machen vigorously defends the deity of Christ, the vicarious atonement, and the bodily resurrection as historical facts essential to the gospel. The nature of the church is also contested; for Machen, it is a body defined by shared doctrine, not merely an institution for social improvement as in the Social Gospel.

Reception and influence

Upon publication, the book was hailed as a definitive statement by conservative evangelicals and fundamentalists, including leaders like Carl Henry and Francis Schaeffer. It was criticized by liberal theologians and modernists associated with the Auburn Affirmation. The work significantly influenced the Presbyterian schism of the 1930s, providing intellectual justification for Machen’s founding of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church and the independent Westminster Theological Seminary. Its arguments became a touchstone in later evangelical battles over biblical authority, influencing movements like the International Council on Biblical Inerrancy and thinkers at institutions such as Wheaton College.

Legacy and modern relevance

*Christianity and Liberalism* remains a pivotal text in American religious history and evangelical theology. It is frequently cited in ongoing debates within mainline Protestant denominations, the Southern Baptist Convention, and Reformed circles over theological boundaries. The book’s framework is often invoked in discussions about postmodernism, the Emerging church movement, and doctrinal declension in the West. Its enduring legacy is seen in its continued publication by Eerdmans and its status as required reading at seminaries like Westminster Theological Seminary and The Master's Seminary.

Category:1923 non-fiction books Category:Christian apologetic works Category:Protestant theology