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jedster247's review against another edition
5.0
Articulate and thorough contrast between two opposing worldviews.
Always a helpful reminder that this book, written almost 100 years ago, speaks so clearly and directly to many of the same challenges we face today. While our context and experience are our own, there is available wisdom from those who’ve gone before us. Technology and culture change, but the issues of our heart are timeless in so many ways.
Always a helpful reminder that this book, written almost 100 years ago, speaks so clearly and directly to many of the same challenges we face today. While our context and experience are our own, there is available wisdom from those who’ve gone before us. Technology and culture change, but the issues of our heart are timeless in so many ways.
librarytech4's review against another edition
4.0
Throughout this book I kept forgetting that the author was talking about liberalism instead of progressive Christianity since the two have become so close in concept. This book was definitely written in another time, but also hits very close to this time. We are just further along the same path the author is talking about.
I like how Machen discusses the idea of churches not wanted to discuss certain topics since it is an issue I see very prevalently in today’s churches. Liberal churches no longer want to discuss theology and doctrine, but only their versions of the Gospel. One of my favorite quotes from this book is “Modern preachers are trying to bring men into church without requiring them to relinquish their pride; they are trying to help men avoid the conviction of sin.” This is being brought out through self love culture even more so today.
This book was a little difficult to read because it was written in older English and formatted like a research paper, but it had really good points and ideas discussed. I would recommend this to anyone looking into why theology and doctrine are important.
I like how Machen discusses the idea of churches not wanted to discuss certain topics since it is an issue I see very prevalently in today’s churches. Liberal churches no longer want to discuss theology and doctrine, but only their versions of the Gospel. One of my favorite quotes from this book is “Modern preachers are trying to bring men into church without requiring them to relinquish their pride; they are trying to help men avoid the conviction of sin.” This is being brought out through self love culture even more so today.
This book was a little difficult to read because it was written in older English and formatted like a research paper, but it had really good points and ideas discussed. I would recommend this to anyone looking into why theology and doctrine are important.
cleansocks's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
southern_librarian's review
informative
slow-paced
4.0
Ended up being much more approachable than I feared! It definitely helped to read this in a group this semester so that we could discuss and dig deeper. The Christian liberalism Machen addresses here, in 1920, is still super relevant today. I liked how the chapters were organized thematically; it was unusual amongst books that I typically read for the chapters to be completely unbroken and of varying lengths.
kpbrubaker's review
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Even though Christianity and Liberalism was written a century ago, J. Gresham Machen still has something to say today for Christians. He presents the stark contrast between Christianity and Liberalism of his day. The same could also be said if Liberalism’s heir Progressive Christianity. A must read for Christians.
sofer_mahir's review against another edition
4.0
It's unfortunately the case that even in conservative churches people are advocating more and more against "divisive doctrine." It's unfortunately the case that liberalism hasn't died out over the last hundred years, and that its adherents do still resort to dishonesty in order to gain positions in Christian schools and churches. It's unfortunately the case that the religion put forward by liberalism is completely devoid of hope, and it's leading people to eternal deaths. Machen's arguments are as important now as they were when he wrote them.
As far as the prose itself, Machen is very clear and untechnical. However, the book is, at times, meandering and repetitive. If I were his editor, I'd have shaved about fifty pages off the top. Chapters 1, 3, and 4, are exceptions to this trend.
As far as the prose itself, Machen is very clear and untechnical. However, the book is, at times, meandering and repetitive. If I were his editor, I'd have shaved about fifty pages off the top. Chapters 1, 3, and 4, are exceptions to this trend.
samluce's review
5.0
Such a good book. Written in 1923 still speaking to us in 2016. This is a must read especially if you are a Pastor.
notwithoutwitness's review
5.0
This little book has not lost it's punch! At 95 years old, J. Gresham Machen's Christianity and Liberalism remains as relevant today as it was in the mid-twenties.
Fuller review to follow...
Fuller review to follow...
fdes_817's review against another edition
2.0
A very reactionary piece against Protestant Liberalism. Protestant Liberalism has a lot to be brought to task for, but Machen presents an equally fallow conservatism. While many liberals were too quick and radical with their conclusions regarding scripture, they did produce significant challenges to how the church should understand scripture. Machen digs his heels in and produces an argument that lacks muster in our current era. Furthermore, he shares many presuppositions with his liberal counterparts that I think bog down his argument, disallowing him from truly articulating traditional faith. Also, though sadly this is not uncommon from writers of his era, his thinking privileges "Anglo-Saxons" and certainly shows racial insensitivity.