I picked up a biography on J. Gresham Machen to read opposite on one of H. L. Mancken's biography after reading the obituatory Mancken wrote when J. Gresham Machen died and thought the juxtaposition of the two men with similar names in a similar times in a space where they were popular yet fighting against the societal downfall (in their own fields). H. L. against the drab, old ways of literature and journalism (a Hunter S. Thompson-esk of his day). J. Gresham fighting against the "Modernists" (aka liberal Christianity) of his field.

Here's what atheist H. L. had to say about Presbyterianism Calvinist J. Gresham (in part), "It is my belief, as a friendly neutral in all such high and ghostly matters, that the body of doctrine known as Modernism is completely incompatible, not only with anything rationally describable as Christianity, but also with anything deserving to pass as religion in general. Religion, if it is to retain any genuine significance, can never be reduced to a series of sweet attitudes, possible to anyone not actually in jail for felony. It is, on the contrary, a corpus of powerful and profound convictions...Dr. Machen tried to impress that obvious fact upon his fellow adherents...He failed--but he was undoubtedly right.

Enjoying my learning about H. L. Mencken, I was excited to dive into this book. Having some passing knowledge of Machen and his place in Church history, I wasn't going in blind and had some high respect of the man. This book, first published in 1954, about 17 years after the death of Machen by someone who helped start the Westminister Theological Seminary and a respected scholar in his own right - this book was drab and sadly not well done as a biography nor to really drive home the importance of Machen.

Stonehouse puts most of the normal parts of Machen's life one would expect in a biography and the amount of first hand sources just from Machen's letters and his mother's letters are a treasure trove for a biographer, yet the story of Machen's life drags and drags. The organization tends to flip back and forth in timeline and there's almost too much focus on the primary documents to account for smaller parts of Machen's life but misses out on some major parts of his life.

For example, about three quarters into the book a discussion is made about Machen's family and personal wealth, something that could have been discussed much earlier and touched on briefly when discussing Machen's writing career and raising of funds for his seminary. Missing is a discussion of Machen's very interesting political views and even testifying before Congress on behalf of opposing a federal Department of Education. We get too much back and forth between his clear love of his mother in notes and less, albeit some, on the fact that Machen seems to be a sort of atheist or at least a non-holder of orthodox belief when he's in seminary - the author doesn't make that clear.

Firsthand accounts and citations abound but providing a clear picture, especially for one not of the time or of the full understanding of Presbyterianism or even of Modernism vs. Orthodox Christianity has to be sought outside the book. Facts are provided but storytelling does not happen well.

However, through the three month slog through the book I was determined to finish, I did find a deeper appreciation for Machen and his full life. His time during WWI was interesting, his books (but the author doesn't go really into the specifics enough to entice their reading), and his time among other great men of the early 20th century Princeton Christians.

This was really too bad as the ability to tell a really interesting story of an interesting life is clearly there, and some 80 years later these important fights by similar important men are sadly still being fought and we need stories from Church history to inspire and guide us. Men like those that atheist H. L. Mencken could clearly see the need and the true belief of a great man like J. Gresham Machen. Final Grade - D+ ( )

Summary: A biographical memoir chronicling Machen's evangelical faith and scholarship, first at Princeton and then at Westminster.

J. Gresham Machen was arguably one of the most significant thinkers in twentieth century evangelicalism. He was an exacting scholar and staunch defender of an evangelical understanding of the Westminster Confession of the Presbyterian Church. Following in the steps of the Hodges and Warfield, he sought to defend the stance of Princeton as in its orthodox adherence to a Reformed and Evangelical faith and worked against measures that liberalized the seminary. Ultimately, his ministerial credentials were revoked and he led a group of scholars to form Westminster Theological Seminary, and subsequently, the Orthodox Presbyterian Church.

Ned B. Stonehouse was a student under Machen and one of the founding faculty, along with Machen, of Westminster. This "biographical memoir" has the character of an appreciative, though thorough, account of Machen's life. He extensively cites Machen's writing, including his extensive correspondence, especially with his mother. From this 600 page biography, I simply want to note some aspects of Machen's life that were striking.

A godly family. His parents were devout yet created a culturally rich rather than stultifying environment. When Machen struggled both with intellectual doubts and uncertainties about calling, his father was unstinting in his personal and financial support, expressing confidence in his son's judgement. Equally, his mother stood by him throughout his life, prayed constantly, and eagerly engaged even Machen's scholarly works.

A faith tested in the wilderness. Following his studies at Princeton, he received a fellowship to study at the theological centers in Germany. While he reveled in the scholarship, he also wrestled with his faith in the face of the liberal scholarship he encountered from impressive theologians. Because of this, he delayed ordination and an appointment at Princeton, working as a lecturer while he pressed into the questions his time in Europe had raised, eventually coming back to a full embrace of the faith as expressed in the Westminster Confession. I believe it was this that made him so effective, first as a teacher, and then as an advocate as that liberal faith hit the American church.

A wise mentor. In William Armstrong, a Princeton professor under whom Machen studied and who recruited him. he was blessed with a mentor who patiently walked with Machen through his theological and vocational struggles. Armstrong remained supportive and encouraging while never dismissing Machen's qualms. Likewise, he found ways for Machen to teach without needing to pursue ordination until he was ready.

A balance of grace and truth. Machen is known for being unafraid to challenge institutions that wavered theologically. Yet he was a man of great personal compassion. Stonehouse offers the example of his care for a converted alcoholic, at great personal cost, as well as his liberal generosity in care for others.

A careful scholar. His magnum opus was his work The Virgin Birth of Christ. Along with Christianity and Liberalism, a great work of public scholarship, both works remain in print to this day. Likewise, his New Testament Greek for Beginners served as a standard seminary text for many years. Most of his works are still in print.

A courageous advocate. Machen opposed Princeton's board reorganization, which would (and did) weaken the theological stance of the seminary. Likewise, he challenged the theological drift within Presbyterian missions. It was this that led to revoking his ordination.

Ned Stonehouse's biography of J. Gresham Machen leaves me wondering about our contemporary situation. The American church seems more fragmented than ever and theological orthodoxy less of a concern than ever. A reading of this work at very least ought serve as a reminder of what it means to be faithful in life and doctrine.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for review. ( )

A good book with which to conclude the year. It took me about four months, but I finished more than half of it in a two-week push. This biography is more laudatory in its style and approach than what would generally be favored today; but on the other hand, I think the book would’ve lost something if it hadn’t been written by one who personally loved and was mentored by Machen.

It was really helpful to get a fuller picture of Machen as a churchman and scholar (one who had been much acquainted with theological liberalism), not simply a narrow controversialist. The chapter on [b: Christianity and Liberalism|156871|Christianity and Liberalism|J. Gresham Machen|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1387739498l/156871._SX50_.jpg|151382] was especially valuable in its assessment of Machen in relation to the emergent Fundamentalism of the day.

Also interesting to compare the personalities of Machen and Vos, after having read Vos’s letters a year ago.

Finally, I must register my amusement as a Hollins University alumna, as JGM preached there in 1917. He wrote to Mother Machen, “They are the only pretty girls [...] whom I had seen for 15 years. Had I enjoyed such advantages before I got too old, my life might have been different! It was really lots of fun. I wish I could preach to that same senior class every Sunday, and join the class-meeting afterwards.” !!!! This especially delights because, as a former attendee of such services as still took place in the college chapel in recent decades, I doubt Machen would *ever* have received an invitation to preach there 100 years later. And I don’t know if he would have had the same reaction to the “girls”...! Still, Hollins women have always had their ways of making an impression, it seems! ( )