A Most Important Question (Machen)

 What is saving faith?  This is one of the most important questions we can ask and have answered!  I like how J. Gresham Machen addressed the question: A more "practical" question could hardly be conceived. The preacher says: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shall be saved." But how can a man possibly …

Three Great Acts of Imputation (Machen)

 The Westminster Shorter Catechism, summarizing the biblical teaching on the topic, says that all mankind sinned in Adam, "and fell with him in that first transgression."    Because Adam was in a covenant situation, our representative, his trespass led to our condemnation (Rom. 5:18).  How does this work?  How come I bear the guilt for …

The Infallibility of Experts (!?) and Euthanasia (Machen)

The following paragraph is from a radio address that J. G. Machen gave in 1937.  It is highly relevant even in 2017: "...We have seen in the newspapers recently a good deal of discussion about 'mercy-killing' or 'euthanasia'. Certain physicians say very frankly that they think hopeless invalids, who never by any chance can be …

Abandon Facts but Keep Feelings? (Machen)

Liberalism is not new.  The liberal seminary magazines I get in the mail are printed in full color and talk about smartphones, laptops, and podcasts, but the liberalism in them pre-dates today's technology.  The magazine I got in the mail last week doesn't mention the cross, sin or the resurrection, and it barely mentions Jesus …

Thank God For the Christmas Season (Machen)

In a sermon preached soon before his death in 1936, J. G. Machen explained how the Bible puts an “enormous emphasis” on the death of Christ.  He also noted how the Christian church places a great emphasis on Christ’s death – we “chiefly commemorate” the death of Christ because it is God’s wisdom and our …