J. Gresham Machen: A Guided Tour of His Life and Thought [Paperback]

Stephen J. Nichols (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 30, 2004

J. Gresham Machen (1881–1937) taught New Testament at Princeton Theological Seminary from 1906 to 1929, when he founded Westminster Theological Seminary.

Following three chapters devoted to Machen’s life, Nichols examines Machen’s writings on theology and the Bible, on culture, and on the church (including several sermons). A select guide to books by and about Machen, a bibliography, and indexes conclude this accessible introduction to one of the twentieth century’s most important theologians.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Stephen J. Nichols is an associate professor at Lancaster Bible College and Graduate School. He is also the author of "guided tours" to the life and thought of Jonathan Edwards and Martin Luther.

Product Details

• Paperback: 252 pages
• Publisher: P & R Press (October 30, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0875526209
• ISBN-13: 978-0875526201
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #679,239 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

STEPHEN J. NICHOLS (PhD, Westminster Theological Seminary) is research professor of Christianity and culture at Lancaster Bible College and Graduate School. He has written several books, including Pages from Church History. He lives with his wife and two sons in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful introduction to Machen's life and thought, November 23, 2006

By 

Kedric Webster "Kedric" (Oviedo, FL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: J. Gresham Machen: A Guided Tour of His Life and Thought (Paperback)

As he did in his two other books of similar style--on Martin Luther and Jonathan Edwards--Stephen Nichols gives detailed, yet clear insight into one of the lesser-known figures of American Evangelicalism. Unlike Luther and Edwards, who lived in different time periods, J. Gresham Machen lived and taught closer to our modern era. He enjoyed playing football and attending baseball games, even skipping a class or two while at Princeton Seminary! But he was also very studious, and after spending a year studying in Germany became an associate professor at Princeton.

His study, particularly in the area of New Testament, enabled him to teach a generation of students the heart of the gospel and stand toe-to-toe with critical scholars who would denude it of its saving power. It was this latter stance that would eventually lead to his leaving the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. One of the more touching stories was his personal ministry to a Richard Hodges, an alcoholic who became a Christian, but who continued to struggle with his alcoholism for many years. Machen found him a place to stay away from the influence of old friends and funded his rent and other living expenses for nearly 20 years. And when Hodges died, he paid for the funeral.

What Nichols demonstrates from start to finish is the life of a man who lived the message of the Gospel to the fullest: He preached Jesus Christ and him crucified; taught that there can be no separation of doctrine and life; enjoyed walking in the mountains of Europe and desired that national parks and other natural resources be preserved for generations to come; engaged the culture of his day with the Christian message; and loved to entertain Princeton students on Saturday evenings with fruit and tobacco. [At that time only men attended the seminary.]

If you want to learn more about Machen, but don't know where to begin, pick up this book.