J Gresham Machen was a prominent American Presbyterian theologian and scholar who lived from 1881 to 1937. He was known for his strong defense of orthodox Christianity and his passionate commitment to the authority of the Bible. Throughout his life, Machen wrote extensively on a variety of theological topics, and his insightful quotes continue to inspire and challenge Christians today.
Machen’s writings and speeches were characterized by their clarity, intellectual rigor, and unwavering commitment to biblical truth. He was unafraid to stand against the prevailing theological and cultural trends of his time, and his words are just as relevant and thought-provoking today as they were during his lifetime.
One of Machen’s most famous quotes is: “False ideas are the greatest obstacles to the reception of the gospel. We may preach with all the fervor of a reformer and yet succeed only in winning a straggler here and there, if we permit the whole collective thought of the nation or of the world to be controlled by ideas which, by the resistless force of logic, prevent Christianity from being regarded as anything more than a harmless delusion.” This quote reflects Machen’s belief in the importance of defending the truth and exposing the falsehoods that hinder the acceptance of the gospel.
Famous Quotes by J Gresham Machen
Here are some memorable quotes by J Gresham Machen:
- “Christianity is not a life. Christianity is not a philosophy. Christianity is not a system of religious experience. Christianity is a person. It is a person who lived in history.”
- “False ideas are the greatest obstacles to the reception of the gospel.”
- “The Christian life is a life of war.”
- “The simple fact is that the New Testament, as a witness to Christ and his salvation, sandwiches the story of Jesus between two mighty acts of God: the act of creation and the act of judgment.”
- “The message of Christ is not a spiritual tonic for the wise; it is a spiritual weapon for the weak.”
- “The professor is not a priest.”
- “The Bible does not say that all men are created equal, but it does say that all men are sinners.”
- “Christianity is not a theory or a speculation, but a life; not a philosophy of life, but a life and a living process.”
- “We may acknowledge, therefore, that the Bible, though it is throughout inspired and though it becomes more inspiring as it is more faithfully studied, is not in the same sense the original source of Christianity as Christ himself is the original source of Christianity.”
- “Thank God, He does not claim our life and devotion with nothing to offer in return.”
Words of Wisdom by J Gresham Machen
“The Bible, with all its teachings about God, about man, about sin, about redemption, about the future, is just as much an integral part of Christian truth as the cross itself.” – J Gresham Machen
“Liberalism seems to be a movement away from the simple religious message of the Bible; it is an attempt to meet the needs of modern man by new expedients: by wide tolerance, by conformity to the modern scientific spirit, by the use of the modern means of propaganda and the modern appeal to the unthinking masses.” – J Gresham Machen
“Christianity does not ask men first of all to accept a system of truth, to hold a theory of the universe, to hold a philosophy of life; its first precepts are all ethical.” – J Gresham Machen
“The thing of real importance is not the method but the message. If the message is true, the method does not matter so very much.” – J Gresham Machen
“Christianity will go, everything will go, if we do not make it plain that the foundation of the Christian system is this doctrine of the divinity of Christ.” – J Gresham Machen
Inspirational Quotes by J Gresham Machen
1. “Christianity is not a series of truths in the plural, but rather truth spelled with a capital ‘T.’ Truth about total reality, not just about religious things.”
2. “Nothing could be more ill-founded than that modern common notion that it is possible to discuss religion in the classroom in the same way in which one discusses the principles of economics or of foreign policy.”
3. “There are many who would like to see the distinction between religion and science obliterated altogether, and who, on that account, would like to see religious education banished from the schools.”
4. “The historic Christian faith is the only reasonable one. It is the only one that has any evidence to support it.”
5. “The same “cultural pluralism” that takes culture, rather than Christianity, as the ultimate norm will also take one part of culture and make that norm for the rest–it will take one culture and make that norm for the rest.”
6. “The Christian life is not a life without consequences; it is a life of eternal significance.”
7. “The Gospel is not a way of life, but the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.”
8. “No man is ready to seek mercy until he has got rid of his illusion that he is good.”
9. “The exclusion of the supernatural from the study of man means an inevitable slide to the subhuman.”
10. “Hope is not the belief that things will get better, but the belief that God is still in control, even when things seem to be falling apart.”
11. “Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.”
Thought-Provoking Quotes by J Gresham Machen
“Christianity is not a system of ethics; it is a life. It is not an improved morality; it is new life altogether.”
“False ideas are the greatest obstacles to the reception of the gospel. We may preach with all the fervor of a reformer and yet succeed only in winning a straggler here and there, if we permit the whole collective thought of the nation or of the world to be controlled by ideas which, by the resistless force of logic, prevent Christianity from being regarded as anything more than a harmless delusion.”
“In questions of science, the authority of a thousand is not worth the humble reasoning of a single individual.”
“The chief modern rival of Christianity is not atheism, but legality.”
“Christianity does not begin with an explanation; it begins with a fact.”
“It is in the home that the education of the child, the building of his character, and the formation of his ideals take place; and so it is in the home that the supernatural life must be expressed.”
“Christianity is a religion of the heart, a religion of the emotions, a religion founded upon a personal experience of redemption.”
“The methods of science can never prove the truth of Christianity, but they can certainly discredit its adversaries.”
“The world of the Bible is a world that believes absolutely in the unity of truth.”
“Christianity presupposes in its hearers a knowledge of certain facts, all of which are bound up with the very existence of Christianity.”
Life Lessons from J Gresham Machen
J Gresham Machen, a prominent theologian and professor, left a profound impact on the world through his writings and teachings. His commitment to sound doctrine and his unwavering faith serve as an inspiration to many. Here are some valuable life lessons we can learn from J Gresham Machen:
1. Stay committed to the truth:
Machen firmly believed in the importance of holding onto the truth of God’s Word. In a world that constantly changes, he stood firm in his convictions and defended the gospel with courage. His example reminds us to never compromise on what we know to be true.
2. Embrace intellectual rigor:
Machen was known for his academic prowess and his ability to engage in intellectual debates. He understood the importance of studying God’s Word deeply and engaging with challenging ideas. His life teaches us the value of intellectual rigor and the need to constantly grow in knowledge and understanding.
3. Cultivate a heart of compassion:
Machen’s love for others was evident in his interactions with his students and colleagues. He displayed a genuine care for those around him, always seeking to understand their struggles and offer support. His life reminds us of the importance of displaying compassion and kindness towards others.
4. Stand up for what is right:
Machen was not afraid to stand up for his beliefs, even when it meant facing opposition and criticism. He was willing to speak out against false teachings and defend the truth. His example challenges us to have the courage to stand up for what is right, even in the face of adversity.
5. Remain humble:
Despite his intellectual achievements, Machen remained humble, recognizing that all wisdom and understanding ultimately come from God. He acknowledged his own weaknesses and relied on God’s strength. His humility serves as a reminder for us to always approach life with humility and depend on God for guidance.
As we reflect on the life of J Gresham Machen, may we be inspired to follow in his footsteps and live a life that glorifies God, embraces truth, and shows compassion to others.
Memorable Sayings by J Gresham Machen
“Christianity does not consist in any special views about particular things; it consists in bringing our whole lives into accordance with the will of God as perfectly revealed by Christ.”
– J Gresham Machen
“The Christian gospel is not ‘accept Jesus into your heart’ but ‘accept Jesus into your life, and everything about your life.'”
– J Gresham Machen
“Christianity is not a theory or a philosophy; it is a relationship with a living person–Jesus Christ.”
– J Gresham Machen
“The essence of Christianity is not doctrines about Christ, but Christ Himself.”
– J Gresham Machen
“It is not the strength of our faith that saves us; it is the weakness of Jesus Christ, the Savior, that saves us.”
– J Gresham Machen
“Christianity is not just about going to church on Sunday, but about living every day in the light of the love and grace of Jesus Christ.”
– J Gresham Machen
Quotes on Faith and Christianity by J Gresham Machen
“Christianity is not a system of ethics; it is a declaration of facts. But its facts involve its ethics; its ethics spring necessarily from its facts.”
In this quote, Machen emphasizes the connection between Christianity’s factual claims and its ethical teachings. He argues that Christianity is not merely a set of moral guidelines, but a belief system rooted in historical events. The ethical teachings of Christianity are derived from the objective realities of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.
“The most serious challenge to Christianity today is not skepticism, but a sentimental humanitarianism that is posing as Christianity, but is really anti-Christianity.”
Machen highlights the danger of a distorted understanding of Christianity that prioritizes a feel-good sentimentality over biblical truth. He suggests that this sentimental humanitarianism, which claims to be Christian but is actually opposed to true Christianity, presents a significant challenge to the faith.
“The Christian idea of God is not that He has a plan for the world, but that He has a plan for individuals, for the Christian believer, and that He gives us the power to carry out that plan.”
This quote expresses Machen’s belief in the personal and active involvement of God in the lives of individual believers. He contrasts the Christian understanding of God’s plan with the notion that God has a general, predetermined plan for the world. According to Machen, God has a specific plan for each Christian and provides them with the strength to fulfill that plan.
“There is nothing wrong with philosophy in itself, but there does seem to be something wrong with the misuse of philosophy – or rather, with supposing that the problems with which philosophy deals are final.”
Machen acknowledges the value of philosophy but warns against placing too much confidence in its ability to provide ultimate answers. He suggests that the misuse of philosophy occurs when it is elevated to a position of importance above religious or theological truth.
“Christianity makes no compromise with the supposition that the sense of truth is innate in the human mind… its insistence upon plain dogmatic teaching is the only thing that keeps the Christian religion from being Whigged to death in the modern world.”
Machen argues that Christianity does not assume that the human mind possesses an innate sense of truth. Instead, Christianity is based on dogmatic teachings that are necessary to preserve the faith in the face of changing cultural and intellectual trends. The plain and unchanging teachings of Christianity protect it from being diluted or compromised in the modern world.
J Gresham Machen’s Perspective on Truth
J Gresham Machen, an influential American theologian and Presbyterian minister, had a unique perspective on truth. He firmly believed that truth was not subjective or relative, but rather a concrete and objective reality that could be discovered and known.
Machen argued that truth was not determined by individual beliefs or cultural norms, but instead existed independently of human opinion. He believed that truth could be found through careful study and examination of the world around us.
According to Machen, truth was not something to be created or invented, but rather something to be discovered and understood. He believed that the pursuit of truth was essential for intellectual and moral growth, and that it was the duty of every person to seek out and embrace the truth, no matter how uncomfortable or inconvenient it may be.
Furthermore, Machen believed that truth was not arbitrary or flexible, but rather consistent and unchanging. He argued that truth could withstand scrutiny and questioning, and that it could be relied upon as a solid foundation for knowledge and understanding.
In Machen’s view, truth was not a mere abstraction or concept, but rather a tangible reality that could be experienced and known. He believed that truth had the power to transform lives and shape the course of history.
In conclusion, J Gresham Machen’s perspective on truth was that it was an objective and discoverable reality, independent of individual beliefs or cultural opinions. He emphasized the importance of seeking out and embracing the truth, and believed that it could be known through careful study and examination. Machen’s ideas continue to be influential and thought-provoking, challenging individuals to approach truth with intellectual rigor and a commitment to objectivity.
Wisdom for Today from J Gresham Machen
J Gresham Machen, a renowned theologian and scholar, left behind a rich legacy of wisdom and insight that continues to resonate with readers today. His thoughts on faith, theology, and the Christian life provide valuable lessons that are relevant in our current world. Here are some key quotes from Machen that offer wisdom for today:
1. “Christianity is not a series of truths in the plural, but rather truth spelled with a capital ‘T.’ Truth about total reality, not just about religious things.”
2. “The only way to get rid of Christianity is to destroy it, but the only way to maintain Christianity is to confess it anew.”
3. “It is not the Bible that is the Word of God; it is Jesus Christ who is the Word of God. And the Bible becomes the Word of God as it bears witness to Him.”
4. “God’s grace is not an abstract concept; it is a living reality that transforms lives and brings hope in the midst of despair.”
5. “Faith is not a blind leap into the unknown, but a reasoned trust in the promises of God.”
6. “The Christian life is not about following a set of rules, but about a dynamic relationship with a living Savior.”
7. “True freedom is found in submission to the will of God, not in pursuing our own selfish desires.”
These timeless words of J Gresham Machen serve as a reminder of the enduring truths of the Christian faith and provide guidance for navigating the complexities of life in the modern world.