Christianity & liberalism - Machen - XIII

Required reading 

Christianity and Liberalism by J. Gresham Machen (available from Amazon or free on the internet, here for example) - Begin reading chapter VII, the Church, up to the paragraph beginning 'But how shall so anomalous a situation be brought to an end?  The best way would undoubtedly be the voluntary withdrawal of the liberal ministers from those confessional churches whose confessions they do not, in the plain historical sense, accept.' 

My notes and thoughts
Machen's last chapter concerns the weakening effect of liberalism on the visible church: 'But what is the trouble with the visible Church?  What is the reason for its obvious weakness?  There are perhaps many causes of weakness.  But one cause is perfectly plain - the Church of to-day has been unfaithful to her Lord by admitting great companies of non-Christian persons, not only into her membership, but into her teaching agencies.' 

I found it very interesting that Machen said that the uniting of liberals with Christians is as absurd as suggesting the uniting of Roman Catholics and Protestants.  Machen tries to show how it would be impossible to see Catholics and Protestants unite in Christian work while holding their differing doctrines: '...the Roman Catholic could not possibly both hold his doctrine of the Church and at the same time reject it, as would be required by the program of Church unity just suggested.'  But since Machen wrote his book, this is precisely what has happened.  Protestants are regularly encouraged to unite with Roman Catholics for 'Christian' work while still holding opposing doctrines.  The concept is no longer as absurd as Machen first thought.  Unfortunately, Machen, your illustration is dated. 

Now it's your turn

Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.