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J. Gresham Machen
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Christianity and Liberalism Paperback – October 8, 2020

by J. Gresham Machen (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 214 ratings
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Since its initial publication in 1923, J. Greshman Machen’s classic treatment on the subject of orthodox Christian beliefs still stands as a compelling treatment on an all-important topic. In his classic defense, Machen clarifies the basic understanding of the most fundamental Christian beliefs: doctrine, God and man, the Bible, Christ, Salvation, and the Church. Christianity and Liberalism remains just as true, useful, and informative today as when it was first published, which is why it was selected by multiple organizations as a top 100 book of its century. Read for yourself the true difference between Christianity and the counterfeit religion called Liberalism.
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  1. Print length
    200 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    October 8, 2020
  4. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.46 x 8.5 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    1946971855
  6. ISBN-13
    978-1946971852
  7. See all details
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Ichthus Publications (October 8, 2020)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 200 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1946971855
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1946971852
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11.3 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.46 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 214 ratings

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J. Gresham Machen

J. Gresham Machen

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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
214 global ratings
Was once good, now sadly modernized....
1 out of 5 stars
Was once good, now sadly modernized....
A classic treatise on Christianity, no doubt. Even recommended by Dr. Peter Ruckman. But, since its publication in 1923, it's now (perhaps) in the public domain and gone through various reprintings. This one, by Ichthus, states in the very beginning that all scripture quotations are from the ESV. Why not the KJV? That's anyone's guess, but for a treatise (eloquently) speaking on Christianity and liberalism, it's ironic that the scripture quotations come from something like the ESV, a translation stemming from the RSV, which itself is a translation more liberally based (ironic, I know). That just doesn't sit right and, while I'm no KJV-only'er (though it's the only translation I read and study, though I've read multiple others), I am fairly certain that J. Gresham Machen (even though he was from the WTS), would not abide the ESV being used. In this regard, while I wanted to revisit this book which I previously read and deeply enjoyed in its earlier form, I'm just not comfortable doing so in this current version. If you can read around it, have at it. Textually, message-wise, it's a profound work. Just know what you're getting with this one.
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Top reviews from the United States

Derek Atkins
5.0 out of 5 stars Still Just as Relevant Today as in 1923
Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2024
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In this book, J. Gresham Machen argues that liberal Christianity (or what might today be called progressive Christianity) and traditional or conservative Christianity are not the same at all; in fact, Machen argues vigorously that the two are completely different religions, and that liberal Christianity is not Christianity at all.

Although this book was written 100 years ago (in 1923), one of the things that I find remarkable is just how many of the conditions that Machen describes as characterizing his day are still to be found in our own day. This is one reason why I find this book is still very relevant today. If you wish to gain more perspective on current philosophical and theological trends, this book will help you to understand our current world a little bit better.
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David Butz
5.0 out of 5 stars An encouraging read for those who long for true Christian fellowship
Reviewed in the United States on August 20, 2023
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True Christian fellowship is a rare thing these days. No one speaks of doctrine and wants to know what the Bible says about any particular subject. Everyone thinks, does or feels what is “right in their own eyes” and anyone who questions or opposes them is ostracized.
3 people found this helpful
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Jeff74996
5.0 out of 5 stars 1923. Speaks prophetically.
Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2023
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From 1923, a Christian who is a Christian indeed laments the liberal infiltration, the logical conclusion of what began in the Enlightment two centuries earlier. Now, a hundred years after Machen wrote these words, we've reached the results of his prophetic warnings. Very timely words for our times.
2 people found this helpful
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Joel (and wife)
5.0 out of 5 stars Could Not Be More Relevant
Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2022
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This book is outstanding - it was written in 1923, but could just as easily have been written last year, such is its relevance to our present day. Machen wrote boldly and clearly about the problems he saw taking root in his day, the fruit of which he rather prophetically foresaw much of as we deal with it in our present day. Machen drew a sharp and precise contrast between true, historic Christianity and what he assessed to be a different religion altogether at its core. I cannot recommend this book enough. After I finished reading it, I bought a couple more of these to give away.
6 people found this helpful
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Jim
4.0 out of 5 stars Valid book today
Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2023
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this book is as valid today or even more so due to the liberalism that has permeated the Church. The book was written in 1923. A hard read because the author wrote kind of like a lawyer or college professor.
2 people found this helpful
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Katie Louisiana
5.0 out of 5 stars Clear analytical thinking, relevant to current issues
Reviewed in the United States on August 21, 2023
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Brilliant and razor sharp analysis of tension between traditional and liberal theology Written a century ago but highly relevant to current debates A must read for anyone concerned about the issues
3 people found this helpful
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Lynn
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book.
Reviewed in the United States on July 7, 2023
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Wonderful book. If you are wondering what is a liberal church verses a conservative church, this is the book for you. Easy to read and understand. Though it was written in 1923, the basic problems remain today.
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justin bise
5.0 out of 5 stars #Justice4Machen
Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2023
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100 years later, Machen is vindicated.
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Top reviews from other countries

Y.
5.0 out of 5 stars Worth it: Ichthus Publications Edition
Reviewed in Canada on March 12, 2021
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The Ichthus Publications edition of this timeless classic is a very good edition. Great layout and book size, good font choice and font size, great price etc. You can't go wrong with this edition. I'm very satisfied with it. It's the same unabridged text as any other edition. The only difference is this version does not have a forward or intro from a modern day theologian or pastor.
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Penguin
4.0 out of 5 stars Sadly we have travelled further down the path the book warns against
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 14, 2022
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Machen starts the book by saying that “Presenting an issue sharply is indeed by no means a popular business at the present time. The “condition of low visibility” has clearly set in, I bet, more so in our time than his. What contributes greatly to this condition of low visibility is the fuzziness in definitions we are used to these days. He describes his days: “Clear-cut definition of terms in religious matters, bold facing of the logical implication of religious views, is by many persons regarded as an impious proceeding.” I believe this is a Christian classic that rings true today. If Machen sounds a little desperate when he was writing this book, we should be even more desperate as I believe we are in much worse place he was then.

Postmodernism surely has travelled into the church. Christian experience severed from doctrines is what “seekers” are after. There are churches everywhere answering that call. Worship service becomes more concerned about the atmosphere than the doctrines. Songs are self-indulgent and self-glorifying if we are not careful in our choice. The global internet and social media coverage is accelerating the trends as it is such a powerful tool to disseminate the contents far and wide with no respect to national boundaries anymore. What is popular so easily becomes the proper way of doing things! They find the itchy ears that want to hear, reinforcing the trends. Churches are afraid of people or being irrelevant to the culture. The pressure is for churches to succumb to the demands of culture independent of what the Bible says as if it were the least important parameter of their identity when it in actual fact defines it. It is not always possible to debate with people logically these days. Their accepted sense of truth is judged by personal experience. Opinion is then the personal truth which affects no one else? In a church? We seem to suffer from brain fog with mental sluggishness and cloudy thoughts. When definitions are removed, what truths are we left with? What language are we left with to establish the truths? Truths are not to be known. What do we even believe? We all seem to believe in something but what precisely doesn’t seem to matter! Shrug, who cares??!!

Here is a theory explained to me about a church. Truth is a spectrum of tolerance and as long as we are within the accepted range, we are cool with each other. The way how I understand the biblical truth is not like that. It is hard to define an issue let alone resolve it! Black and white is not fashionable if not even unloving. This is the frustration of or the danger faced by today’s church.

I call ours an age of ambiguity. According to Machen, it can be dishonesty. He says the fundamental principle of truthfulness in language is as follows: “language is truthful, not when the meaning attached to the words of the speaker, but when the meaning intended to be produced in the mind of the particular person addressed, is in accordance of the facts.” Nowadays we seem to be finding the largest denominator to embrace as many as possible. We lose the precision of meaning but no one seems to care. Language today is ambiguous meaning that it can mean whatever you want to mean – that suits everyone! The truth that I see and the truth that most people see are so different at times that I question my sanity!

Reading Machen then grounds me to the foundation of faith and learns how liberalism at his time was tricking people. Falsehood worms into our home and church and even into our minds. The lack of precision in the truth is how unbelievers are admitted to not the church body but ministry office, further spreading the toxins around the body. We can exasperate but God is in charge. Christ loves His bride more than we do – it must be. Therefore, pray for our churches today. Machen concludes with this note, which I agree: “We can only try to our duty in humility and in sole reliance upon the Saviour who bought us with His blood. The future is in God’s hand, and we do not know the means that He will use in the accomplishment of His will.” Whatever the condition, we still have our duty to discharge the best we can. Loving Christ’s church is to know that it needs faithful servants of God, even if against the tide and operate on lonely plane.

The book is not that easy to read in the sense that there are no section divisions in a chapter which appears continuous. Therefore, it is difficult to trace back the arguments if you put down the book in mid-chapter. To read the book therefore you will have to find a time slot enough to finish a chapter in one sitting. But classic as it is, it is worth reading and it will fire up your resolve and getting your mind clearer on the differences and what precisely we are defending.
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Jo
4.0 out of 5 stars Christianity and the State
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 4, 2023
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Liberalism and Christian doctrine. Worth reading
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