Required reading
Christianity and Liberalism by J. Gresham Machen (available from or free on the internet, - Finish reading chapter VI, 'Salvation'.
In today's reading Machen affirms the Christian doctrines of regeneration, justification, faith and hope. He then closes the chapter with a discussion of the differences between liberals and Christians in regards to their goals for communities.
Because the liberal does not believe in the resurrection he is only concerned with this world: 'And, practically, the liberal preacher has very little to say about the other world. This world is really the centre of all his thoughts; religion itself, and even God, are made merely a means for the betterment of conditions upon this earth.' Machen gives several examples of the goals that liberals try to achieve using religion: 'Christian Americanization' of immigrants; improved industrial relations; international peace; and healthy community life.
The stark contrasts made between Christianity and liberalism in the last paragraph is pure gold: 'The modern liberal believes that human nature as at present constituted can be molded by the principles of Jesus; the Christian man believes that evil can only be held in check and not destroyed by human institutions, and that there must be a transformation of the human materials before any new building can be produced...The missionary of liberalism seeks to spread the blessings of Christian civilization (whatever that may be), and is not particularly interested in leading individuals to relinquish their pagan beliefs. The Christian missionary on the other hand, regards satisfaction with a mere influence of Christian civilization as a hindrance rather than a help; his chief business, he believes, is the saving of souls, and souls are saved not by the mere ethical principles of Jesus but by His redemptive work.' The saving of souls is what we're about, not making lives more comfortable in this world!
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
1 comment:
Re: "the liberal preacher has very little to say about the other world."
The true Christian is drawn to heaven because it is the place of holiness in the presence of the holy Saviour. So, if sin is a trifle then there is little need or desire for holiness and, therefore, for heaven. Further, if the reality of hell is denied then the liberal 'heaven' will be just like earth - a mix of good and evil - and not a holy place at all. Heaven is only heaven becuase of the reality of hell.
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