Our readings in this series are from the book, The Church Captive. Here is a brief excerpt from pages 51 and 52:
Liberalism, as Dr. Machen saw it, pandered to the emotions of people, and tried to build on their sense of decency and rightness, an agenda for social reform that would bring justice and equality to the world. This focus on emotions rather than sound doctrinebetrayed historic Christian faith: “Christianity is founded upon the Bible. It bases upon the Bible both its thinking and its life. Liberalism on the other hand is founded upon the shifting emotions of sinful men.”
The problem with most liberal pastors and theologians, at least those familiar to Dr. Machen, was that they had many great ideas, and knew how to engage people’s emotions, but they didn’t know Jesus, and therefore had no zeal for Him or His Kingdom: “The modern liberal preacher reverences Jesus; he has the name of Jesus forever on his lips; he speaks of Jesus as the supreme revelation of God; he enters, or tries to enter, into the religious life of Jesus. But he does not stand in a religious relationship to Jesus. Jesus for him is an example of faith, not the object of faith.”
Now, and for a limited time, you can order The Church Captive together with the next book in our Read Moore series, Revived!, at no cost. Order copies for yourself and for a study group or companion. A free discussion guide is available as well.
T. M. Moore.
