“[Examining 1 Corinthians 15 in The Origins of Paul’s Religion] Machen captures the essence of Paul’s summary of the gospel in the early verses of that chapter when he write, “‘Christ died’ — that is history; ‘Christ died for our sins’ — that is doctrine. Without these two elements, joined in absolutely indissoluble union, there is no Christianity.” The work of Christ in history provides the only sure basis for salvation, the truth which the church has been called to bear witness” (Stephen J. Nichols, J. Gresham Machen, 89-90).