“Playing off of the New Testament analogy of the new birth, Machen points out that in birth one is passive, not contributing at all. He then adds, ‘But birth is followed by life: and though a man is not active in his birth he is active in the life that follows” (Stephen J. Nichols, J. Gresham Machen, 113).
Christ: The Object of Faith
“Justification by faith is consequently crucial because it gets to the heart of saving faith. Machen puts the matter this way: ‘The efficacy of faith, then, depends not on the faith itself, considered as a psychological phenomenon, but upon the object of the faith, namely Christ” (Stephen J. Nichols, J. Gresham Machen, 111).
Doctrine the Foundation and Ground of Lifestyle
“Contrary to the liberal point of view, which holds that Christianity is a lifestyle, Machen argues that Christianity is a doctrine. He nuances his views by adding that it is, indeed, also a lifestyle, but quickly adds that it is one founded on and necessarily preceded by doctrine” (Stephen J. Nichols, J. Gresham Machen, 89).
Meaningful
“Is Christianity a true religion, in accordance with the facts of history, and therefore, because of that truthfulness, meaningful? Or does it become real and meaningful as it is borne out by experience?” (Stephen J. Nichols, J. Gresham Machen, 83).
Succinct and Compelling
“These two books [Christianity and Liberalism and What Is Faith?] accomplish far more than a response to liberalism, as they offer succinct and compelling presentation of the Christian view of the Bible, Christ, God, humanity, salvation, and faith” (Stephen J. Nichols, J. Gresham Machen, 79).
“[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).
Mother Wit
“Certainly if a man is to be scholar and a teacher he cannot investigate too much” (Cited from a letter by Machen’s mother to her son in Stephen J. Nichols, J. Gresham Machen, 34).
Upbringing
“. . . a faint picture emerges of Machen’s childhood, a blend of seriousness and high culture and laughter and pranks. And at the center of this upbringing was the Bible, the Shorter Catechism, and The Pilgrim’s Progress, all poured into the lives of the Machen boys by their mother” (Stephen J. Nichols, J. Gresham Machen, 25-26).
A CREC (Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches) Response to the Obergefell Decision
You can view the statement on the website for the CREC:
It is also permanently linked from the Documents page, under the Statements heading:
Please note that a number of the phrases are drawn from the CREC memorial on “Homosexuality”, which you can view on at Christ Covenant Reformed Church’s website:
Pray for the Church of Christ in the United States. May we repose in Christ and remain faithful to our Lord. Please consider these words of encouragement, from a book on prayer, by James Beeke and Joel Beeke.
It is easy to focus on the mountains surrounding us: mountains of unbelief, worldly enticements, wrong doctrinal statements and balance, and our own poor understandings and abilities. But we are also called to focus upon who God is in Christ — One who is greater than all these mountains.
Focus upon who God is in Christ, and may “The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee” (Psalm 20:1).
Church of Christ
“The Church of our text [Matt. 16:18] is made up of all true believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, of all who are really holy and converted people. . . . The members of this Church do not all worship God in the same way, or use the same form of government. Some of them are governed by bishops and some of them by elders. Some of them use a prayer-book when they meet for public worship and some of them use none. The thirty-fourth Article of the Church of England most wisely declares, “It is not necessary that ceremonies should be in all places one and alike.” But the members of this Church all come to one throne of grace. They all worship with one heart. They are all led by one Spirit. They are all really and truly holy. They can all say ‘Alleluia,’ and they can all reply, ‘Amen'” (J.C. Ryle, Holiness, 217).