Christianity and Liberalism in the thought of J. Gresham Machen on Apologetics.com audio click link for audio
In 1923 Gresham Machen wrote a little book called “Christianity and Liberalism” that is if anything much more important today than when written. Every prophetic word therein has come to pass in our generation. Sometimes it’s hard to see how what the Church does and thinks today is recognizable as “Christianity”, from the theological form to the inevitable political expression. Are Christianity and Liberalism reconcilable? Does the Church actually understand where its current fad of ideas were born? Were we more thoughtful we might think that two faiths, in one Church, will not stand. This is a time for decision. “A house divided…” as the scriptures teach. Where do you stand? Tune in with the apologetics.com team and special guests Pastor Paul Viggiano of Branch of Hope Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Torrance California, and Doug Eaton of the Ist Southern Baptist Church of Downey California, hosted by Christopher Neiswonger, as we ask the hard question, Christianity and Liberalism: Can both survive?
“In my little book, Christianity and Liberalism, 1923, I tried to show that the issue in the Church of the present day is not between two varieties of the same religion, but, at bottom, between two essentially different types of thought and life. There is much interlocking of the branches, but the two tendencies, Modernism and supernaturalism, or (otherwise designated) non-doctrinal religion and historic Christianity, spring from different roots. In particular, I tried to show that Christianity is not a “life,” as distinguished from a doctrine, and not a life that has doctrine as its changing symbolic expression, but that–exactly the other way around–it is a life founded on a doctrine. (From “Christianity in Conflict,” an autobiographical essay on Machen’s life and works).”
Christianity and Liberalism in the thought of J. Gresham Machen on Apologetics.com audio
http://www.apologetics.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=300:christianity-and-liberalism-can-both-survive&catid=43:kkla-995-fm-los-angeles&Itemid=58
The supernaturalism of creedal Christianity has not really been confronted by liberal-tending Christianity. None of the neoorthodox generation really confronted the church problem created by the obsolescence of supernatural orthodoxy. A theology of radical immanence and agnosticism regarding matters hitherto given creedal status seems to me the way ahead. There is much to be derived from a reading of Jesus not as the Jesus of creeds but as the opponent of religion.
Comment by stephencrose — January 5, 2009 @ 7:42 am |
[...] Jesus As Opponent of Religion
Pingback by Jesus As Opponent of Religion « Stephen C. Rose — January 5, 2009 @ 7:51 am |
Thank you for the comment Stephen,
But it seems inaccurate given that the above is an interaction with the confrontation of theological liberalism with creedal Christianity. Also, it seems to have been a common and recurring public and academic theme in theological circles for the last hundred years or so. Not only that, but theological liberalism is currently the dominant religious form to the degree of eclipsing more traditional Christian thought in the public square.
All the best,
Christopher
Comment by Neiswonger — January 5, 2009 @ 11:49 am |
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Comment by Christian Sonic — January 6, 2009 @ 11:39 am |
I enjoyed the podcast. It is interesting that the Fundamentalist movement at the turn of the previous century is apparently reemerging in our day. When a local Baptist preacher invites an Anglican communion to share facilities we have a modern day context for past alliances — the big question: Will the Baptists allow the Anglicans to drink their wine?
Comment by RevK — January 14, 2009 @ 1:23 pm |