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Christianity and Liberalism, new ed. Paperback – June 2, 2009

by J. Gresham Machen (Author), Carl Trueman (Foreword)
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 860 ratings
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This classic defense of orthodox Christianity, written to counter the liberalism that arose in the early 1900s, establishes the importance of scriptural doctrine and contrasts the teachings of liberalism and orthodoxy on God and man, the Bible, Christ, salvation, and the church. J. Gresham Machen’s Christianity and Liberalism has remained relevant through the years ever since its original publication in 1923. It was named one of the top 100 books of the millennium by World magazine and one of the top 100 books of the twentieth century by Christianity Today. / “An admirable book. For its acumen, for its saliency, and for its wit, this cool and stringent defense of orthodox Protestantism is, I think, the best popular argument produced [in the controversy between Christianity and liberalism].” / ― Walter Lippmann in A Preface to Morals / “It is my conviction that Machen’s book can still speak today. . . . Even for those who do not agree with his central thesis, Christianity and Liberalism can still be understood as representing one of the literary artifacts of a generation that had come to see liberalism as leading inexorably to a sentimentalized religion that had nothing to do with the God of the Bible or, indeed, with real life.” / ― Carl R. Trueman (from the foreword) / Westminster Theological Seminary
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  1. Print length
    176 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Eerdmans
  4. Publication date
    June 2, 2009
  5. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.47 x 8.5 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0802864996
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0802864994
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

J. Gresham Machen (1881–1937) was professor of New Testament at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. He was also the author of Christian Faith in the Modern World, What Is Faith? and The Origin of Paul’s Religion.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Eerdmans; New edition (June 2, 2009)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 176 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0802864996
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0802864994
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 6.9 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.47 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 860 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
860 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book great and well-thought-out. They also say it's phenomenal as a tool for thought-provoking truths and ideas. Readers describe the writing quality as clear, engaging, and concise. They mention the principles of the book are applicable today.

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ReadabilityInsightWriting qualityRelevancePacingTimeline
50 customers mention "Readability"50 positive0 negative

Customers find the book excellent, well-thought-out, and compelling. They say it's a great read for serious Christians.

"...This book is indeed a classic...." Read more

"This book was a wonderful read! I quickly read this book over 4 days...." Read more

"...This is a MUST READ for every Christian but especially for the seminary student, pastor, and church leadership." Read more

"...This is a wonderful book to read and consider if the reader has fallen prey to incorrect doctrine...I believe the author did a great job of..." Read more

37 customers mention "Insight"34 positive3 negative

Customers find the book phenomenal as a tool for thought-provoking truths and ideas to spur thought. They say it's a deep yet accessible exposition of Christianity against its alternative. Readers also appreciate the straightforward message and profound impact upon them spiritually.

"I liked the straightforward message of the book. It delineates the subject clearly and honestly...." Read more

"Classic and poignant, even 100 years later. There's a reason it was World magazine's "book of the year" last year on its 100th anniversary...." Read more

"...Here is a humble, robust, and succinct apology of orthodox Christianity Machen presents that I believe is done in the spirit of 1 Pet 3:15-16 which..." Read more

"...34;Christianity and Liberalism" is an excellent defense for the Truth of the Gospel as expressed throughout Scripture and could not be more..." Read more

27 customers mention "Writing quality"22 positive5 negative

Customers find the writing quality of the book clear, engaging, and concise. They say it's easy to capture the text for posting to a blog for further commentary. Readers also mention that Machen's arguments and presentations are sound.

"I liked the straightforward message of the book. It delineates the subject clearly and honestly...." Read more

"...Machen's prose is clear and easy to grasp. There are no big words that are designed to confuse the meaning of things...." Read more

"...In fact, I personally found his writing to be more engaging than many contemporary authors I've read who share his views...." Read more

"...That demarcation is well articulated...." Read more

22 customers mention "Relevance"22 positive0 negative

Customers find the book timeless and applicable today. They say it's a historical work with a timeless message. Readers also mention the principles are still true with our present phenomenon.

"Classic and poignant, even 100 years later. There's a reason it was World magazine's "book of the year" last year on its 100th anniversary...." Read more

"Amazing how this was written a hundred years ago but is completely relevant today!" Read more

"This is my second time,e reading this classic. This is a timeless work by Machen...." Read more

"Though written a number of years ago, the principles of this book are applicable today. Great read for the serious Christian." Read more

4 customers mention "Pacing"3 positive1 negative

Customers find the pacing of the book fascinating and enlightening. They say it provides a great description of modern Christianity in America.

"...There's just so many gems in here...." Read more

"This is a fascinating, and very enlightening book. Well-written, with much good information. It is amazing that it was written almost 100 years ago...." Read more

"It was very dry, not a good read. I would put it down thinking if I waited and picked it up later I would enjoyed it that never happen" Read more

"Written in 1920s, but could have been written today! Great description of what is crazy about certain areas of modern Christianity in America in..." Read more

3 customers mention "Timeline"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book timely. They say it's an easy read.

"The timeliness of this book for 2020 is unreal...." Read more

"...every argument that might be raised against it but all in all not too slow and an easy read" Read more

"EXCELLENT & timely!..." Read more

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Top reviews from the United States

Robert L. Phillips Jr
5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Read With Timeless Message
Reviewed in the United States on August 30, 2024
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I liked the straightforward message of the book. It delineates the subject clearly and honestly. My biggest regret is that I didn’t have access to the book 50 years ago. This book is indeed a classic. As one who knows from many years of Christian pastoral experience, one could gain clearer direction in ministry from reading and digesting it.
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PughKidz
5.0 out of 5 stars Contrast the truth with the false
Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2009
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This book was a wonderful read! I quickly read this book over 4 days. I found this book so interesting because I have witnessed in the Southern Baptist Convention the battle over the influence of liberalism among its churches and seminaries. Liberal and self-described "moderates" are gaining a hearing among otherwise conservative churches by using the same doubletalk and redefinition of terms.

As with all false doctrine, Christians must be so familiar with the Truth, that the counterfeit is seen for what it is. Likewise, Machen says, "...by showing what Christianity is not we hope to be able to show what Christianity is, in order that men may be led to turn from the weak and beggarly elements and have recourse again to the grace of God." (pg 16)

A. Regarding DOCTRINE...
LIBERALISM believes: Certain doctrines, such as miracles, the Atonement, and heaven and hell are unimportant. Much more important are the ethical implications of Jesus as an example of right living. (pg 37)
CHRISTIANITY believes: We cannot "attend to the Person of Jesus of Jesus and neglect the message." Pg 43). The message is that "which makes Him ours." (pg 42)

B. Regarding GOD AND MAN...
LIBERALISM believes: There is really no such thing as sin. Instead, there is a "supreme confidence in human goodness." (pg 64)

CHRISTIANITY believes: There must be an consciousness of Sin for true salvation. "Without the consciousness of sin, the whole of the gospel will seem to be an idle tale." (pg 66).

C. Regarding THE BIBLE...
LIBERALISM believes:
1.) Salvation is based on an idea, not in an event [such as the resurrection] (pg 70-71)
2.) Present experience is valued over scripture. (pg 71) You should not accept the words of portrayal of Jesus at face value. (pg 77) The authority of the bible is superseded by a self-invented "authority of Christ". A liberal says he "depends on Jesus alone" (pg 76).

CHRISTIANITY believes:
1.) salvation is dependent on "the narration of an event." (pg 70)
2.) Scripture is inspired of God and all accounts are true (pg 73)

D. Regarding CHRIST...
LIBERALISM believes:
1.) Jesus is "an example for faith, not the object of faith" (pg 85) He is the mere "founder of Christianity" (pg 85) Machen says, "the modern liberal tries to have faith in God like the faith which he supposes Jesus had in God; but he does not have faith in Jesus." (pg 85)
2.) Jesus Himself is to be revered as the "fairest flower of humanity" (pg 96) He is only god in the sense that he is the "highest thing we know." (pg 111) He differs from the "rest of men only in degree and not in kind."(pg 112).
3.) The resurrection of Christ, the virgin birth and other miracles are doubted (pg 104, 108). They try to separate the "historical" Jesus from the supernatural Jesus portrayed in the Gospels. (pg 107) Resurrection is redefined as "a permanence of the influence of Jesus or a mere spiritual existence of Jesus beyond the grave." (Pg 108)

CHRISTIANITY believes:
1.) Jesus was no mere example for the life of faith. He claimed to be the object of faith (pg 86). He is the Savior.
2.) Jesus is to be worshiped as the supernatural God (pg 96-97) Scripture fully attests to this fact (pg 113-114)
3.) We should accept the Jesus as He is portrayed in the Scriptures. He was born of a virgin and was absolutely sinless. In His resurrection, he rose bodily proving the full acceptance of His sacrificial death.

F. Regarding SALVATION...
LIBERALISM believes:
1.) Salvation is within a man (pg 117)
2.) We should rehabilitate a man, such as a prisoner, by finding "good that is already in them and build upon that." (pg 137)
3.) Undogmatic faith should be valued and it makes no difference what is believed (pg 141)
4.) Salvation is obtained "by our own obedience to the commands of Christ" (pg 143) On this point, Machen says this is nothing other than "a sublimated form of legalism" (pg 143) Lliberalism, which means freedom, is in reality nothing other than "wretched slavery.'" (pg 144). "Here is found the fundamental difference between liberalism and Christianity," says Machen, "liberalism is altogether in the imperative mood, while Christianity begins with a triumphant indicative; liberalism appeals to man's will, while Chrstianity announces, first a gracious act of God." (pg 47)
5.) Religion is "thought to be necessary for a healthy community" (pg 151) (ie. pragmatism)
6.) In practice, "God exists for the sake of man" (pg 154).
7.) "...applied Christianity is all there is of Christianity." (pg 155)

CHRISTIANITY believes:
1.) You find salvation "in an act of God." (pg 117) "He is our Savior not because He inspired us to live the same kind of life that He lived, but because He took upon Himself the dreadful guilt of our sins and bore it instead of us on the cross." (ie vicarious atonement) (pg 117)
2.) Man is in need of a "new birth" or regeneration...or a "foreign good" that a man naturally does not posses (pg 138) (only that Christ possessed)
3.) Faith is only as good as the object. Faith is receiving the gift of salvation in the cross of Christ.
4.) Salvation is obtained by Justification by faith in the Gospel (Galatians) (pg 144).
5.) "Christianity refuses to be regarded as a mere means to an end. "if any man come to me, and hate not his father and mother...he cannot be my disciple" (Luke 14:26).
6.) "Man exists for the sake of God (pg 154).
7.) "...Applied Christianity is the result of an initial act of God [in Justifying the sinner]" (pg 155)

G. Regarding THE CHURCH...
LIBERALISM believes: "...all men everywhere, no matter what their race or creed are brothers." (pg 157)
CHRISTIANITY believes: yes, there is a brotherhood of man but ONLY in the sense that all men are created by a Creator. Scripture declares that there is a true "brotherhood of the redeemed" (pg 158). Those who have been redeemed from sin. Transformation of the masses occurs as individuals are transformed through the substitutionary atonement of Jesus Christ.
34 people found this helpful
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Blue Chrome
5.0 out of 5 stars Get the Black & Gold version
Reviewed in the United States on July 19, 2024
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Classic and poignant, even 100 years later. There's a reason it was World magazine's "book of the year" last year on its 100th anniversary. So many meh options available though, get the Black & Gold version.
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Joe A
4.0 out of 5 stars great assessment of the state of the church
Reviewed in the United States on October 21, 2024
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…the most important thing of all—there must be a renewal of Christian education. The rejection of Christianity is due to various causes. But a very potent cause is simple ignorance. In countless cases, Christianity is rejected simply because men have not the slightest notion of what Christianity is. An outstanding fact of recent Church history is the appalling growth of ignorance in the Church….
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A. Sutono, a.k.a., Birdey The Observer
5.0 out of 5 stars Systematic Theology in a Nutshell
Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2009
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In pointing out the heresy and danger of liberal theology, Prof. J. Gresham Machen, the founder of Orthodox Presbyterian denomination, also succinctly summarizes the fundamentals of Christian beliefs, and thus fulfilling his goal to show what Christianity is after showing what it is not (p.16). By fundamentals I do not mean to include subjects like eschatology, continuity of extraordinary gifts and the means of baptism and who should be baptized though it is not to say they are unimportant. The fundamentals cover the views of God and man, the Bible, Christ, salvation and the church. This is why this small-yet-loaded book could also serve as a systematic theology text in a nutshell. The gospel may seem to have become so very familiar to some that we are prone to think there is no need for reminder or refreshment of what it is. But looking at today's pluralism and globalization almost everywhere in which there are so many different beliefs and so many different denominations including the garden variety of non-denominational churches, it is not an option that every Christian; laymen, ministers and missionaries rightly understand what the gospel is and what its underlying doctrinal truths are. The reason I include missionaries here is because liberal theology is not only a threat in the west, but also has become a global threat considering it has gained ground in Africa and Asia as well, so it is important for them to understand its nature and to be able to defend orthodox Christianity against its assaults. Here it is important to distinguish between the necessity "to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints" as Jude 3 commands where matters that concern eternal life and death are at stake, and getting into foolish unnecessary squabbles; picking fights over disagreements on minor subjects elevated to an unbalanced exaggerated importance such as Psalm-singing only in the Christian worship that the apostle Paul actually warns against (Titus 3:9). Prof. Machen rightly only deals with the former; the subjects that truly matter; "things that are sometimes thought to be the hardest to defend are also the things that are most worth defending," (p.8).

The major issue with liberal theology is its abhorrence to doctrines (p.18). Doctrines divide and therefore, "Forget doctrines, can't we just get along?" This presupposition understandably leads to an erroneous view, abusive interpretations, criticisms and denial of the authority of the Bible that inevitably result in erroneous views about God, man, Christ, salvation and the church. On the other hand, it puts a premium on human experience, where facts must be based on experience, not the other way around. Moreover, among many other contra-biblical views, the gospel is viewed as a merely way of life where it seems that the general theme of the liberal gospel centers around the Sermon on the Mount, not the cross. It is an interesting yet sadly a false view on the cross where liberal theology teaches as chiefly an example of self-sacrifice or anything else but atonement for sins; that Jesus Christ is an example of faith, not the object of faith (p.113). But these principles directly contradict Christianity. Machen gives an excellent basis of the non-negotiable nature of the cardinal doctrines in the gospel when he brings up Gal 1:8 where the apostle Paul severely warns everyone against preaching a different gospel. And here is where he made it clear early in the book that what the liberal theology teaches is indeed a different gospel which is no gospel at all. Then he moves on with what the true gospel is. The gospel is an event and the Person who is at the center of that event, namely, the crucifixion and resurrection of the God-Man Jesus Christ, as well as the meaning and message of the event. These set forth the basis of the discussion on other subjects in the book; the views on the Bible, God and man, Christ, and salvation. The meaning of the cross teaches that there is a holy God who must punish sinners for their sins and therefore, there is such a reality as sin and that it is the very thing that separates man from God. The message of the cross is that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners (1 Tim 1:15) by what he did on the cross, which constitutes a promise that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life (the familiar John 3:16 passage). Here is a humble, robust, and succinct apology of orthodox Christianity Machen presents that I believe is done in the spirit of 1 Pet 3:15-16 which I appreciate greatly and have much to learn from. Walter Lippman puts it this way, that this book is "a cool and stringent defense of orthodox Protestanism."
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Top reviews from other countries

Robert Leith
5.0 out of 5 stars Very pleased
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 9, 2023
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Excellent order, delivered quickly. Delighted with the service.
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Mike
5.0 out of 5 stars Clear and Concise
Reviewed in Canada on July 26, 2018
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The liberal church says "nothing to see here". I have read this book twice now and it reads like it was written recently. What is the Gospel? J Gresham Machen declares what the Gospel really is and how the liberal church distorts it. This distortion has not changed in 100 years. The liberal may or may not be saved but the liberal evangelical church is heretical not in its filing cabnet statement of faith but in what its preaching and teaching omits and adds. Surgeon lamented liberal teaching as well during his era.
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Brian Gorter
5.0 out of 5 stars High quality analysis
Reviewed in Australia on December 21, 2020
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Very clear and revealing.
A must read for our time.
Written one hundred years ago, but relevant in todays Christianity.
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Anonymous
5.0 out of 5 stars Required Reading
Reviewed in Canada on January 2, 2020
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Required reading
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Mary Christmas
5.0 out of 5 stars A classic must-read.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 23, 2018
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A classic. Machen makes a good case that liberal “Christianity” is not Christianity at all.
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