John Gresham Machen Quotes

A collection of quotes by John Gresham Machen.

John Gresham Machen (1881-1937) was an American Presbyterian theologian and New Testament scholar. He was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and grew up in a devout Presbyterian household. Machen’s strong faith and love for studying the Bible led him to pursue higher education at Johns Hopkins University, where he graduated with honors in classics and earned a Phi Beta Kappa key.

After completing his undergraduate studies, Machen continued his theological education at Princeton Theological Seminary. He then pursued further studies in Germany, earning a Ph.D. in New Testament Studies from the University of Marburg. Machen’s time in Germany deeply influenced his theological beliefs and scholarship.

Returning to the United States, Machen became a professor of New Testament at Princeton Theological Seminary, where he taught for over 20 years. He was known as a brilliant scholar and a staunch defender of orthodox Christianity, particularly against the rise of liberal theology within the church.

Machen was a key figure in the Presbyterian controversy of the early 20th century, which ultimately led to the formation of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. He played a vital role in founding Westminster Theological Seminary as a bastion of conservative Christian scholarship.

Throughout his career, Machen authored numerous books and articles on theology, apologetics, and the New Testament. His most well-known work is "Christianity and Liberalism," a critique of liberal theology and a defense of traditional Christian beliefs.

Machen’s zeal for biblical truth and his commitment to preserving the integrity of Christianity continue to inspire and influence theologians and believers today. His legacy as a defender of the faith and a scholar of rigorous intellect remains significant within Christian circles.