Christ died"--that is history; "Christ died for our sins"--that is doctrine. Without these two elements, joined in an absolutely indissoluble union, there is no Christianity. John Gresham Machen More Quotes by John Gresham Machen More Quotes From John Gresham Machen The most important Christian Education institution is not the pulpit or the school, important as those institutions are; but it is the Christian family. And that institution has to a very large extent ceased to do its work. John Gresham Machen family christian school According to Christian belief, man exists for the sake of God; according to the liberal church, in practice if not in theory, God exists for the sake of man. John Gresham Machen christian god men Place the lives of children in their formative years, despite the convictions of their parents, under the intimate control of experts appointed by the state, force them to attend schools where the higher aspirations of humanity are crushed out, and where the mind is filled with the materialism of the day, and it is difficult to see how even the remnants of liberty can subsist. John Gresham Machen children years school It is impossible to be a true soldier of Jesus Christ and not fight. John Gresham Machen fighting soldier jesus A Christian boy or girl can learn mathematics, for example, from a teacher who is not a Christian; and truth is truth however learned. But while truth is truth however learned, the bearing of truth, the meaning of truth, the purpose of truth, even in the sphere of mathematics, seem entirely different to the Christian from that which they seem to the non-Christian; and that is why a truly Christian education is possible only when Christian conviction underlies not a part but all, of the curriculum of the school. John Gresham Machen girl christian teacher God is the ruler of history. His times are well chosen The Roman Empire was an instrument in his hand. And so are the nations of the modern world. John Gresham Machen god time hands Again, men tell us that our preaching should be positive and not negative, that we can preach the truth without attacking error. But if we follow that advice we shall have to close our Bible and desert its teachings. The New Testament is a polemic book almost from beginning to end ... It is when men have felt compelled to take a stand against error that they have risen to the really great heights in the celebration of the truth John Gresham Machen teaching men book The more we know of God, the more unreservedly we will trust him; the greater our progress in theology, the simpler and more child-like will be our faith John Gresham Machen theology progress children A public-school system, if it means the providing of free education for those who desire it, is a noteworthy and beneficent achievement of modern times; but when once it becomes monopolistic it is the most perfect instrument for tyranny which has yet been devised. Freedom of thought in the middle ages was combated by the Inquisition, but the modern method is far more effective.’ (1923) John Gresham Machen free-education mean school Let us not fear the opposition of men; every great movement in the Church from Paul down to modern times has been criticized on the ground that it promoted scensoriousness and intolerance and disputing. Of course the gospel of Christ, in a world of sin and doubt will cause disputing; and if does not cause disputing and arrouse bitter opposition, that is a fairly sure sign that it is not being faithfully proclaimed. John Gresham Machen church doubt men Modern culture is a mighty force. It is either subservient to the gospel or else it is the deadliest enemy of the gospel John Gresham Machen modern culture enemy Christianity is not engrossed by this transitory world, but measures all things by the thought of eternity. John Gresham Machen eternity christianity world The Gospel does not abrogate God's law, but it makes men love it with all of their hearts. John Gresham Machen law heart men In the sphere of religion, as in other spheres, the things about which men are agreed are apt to be the things that are least worth holding; the really important things are the things about which men will fight. John Gresham Machen fighting important men What I need first of all is not exhortation, but a gospel, not directions for saving myself but knowledge of how God has saved me. Have you any good news? That is the question that I ask of you. I know your exhortations will not help me. But if anything has been done to save me, will you not tell me the facts? John Gresham Machen news facts needs A low view of law always produces legalism; a high view of law makes a person a seeker after grace. John Gresham Machen grace views law What is today a matter of academic speculation begins tomorrow to move armies and pull down empires. John Gresham Machen empires army moving I'm so thankful for the active obedience of Christ. No hope without it. John Gresham Machen obedience thankfulness christ If we give the bureaucrats our children, we may as well give them everything else. John Gresham Machen education giving children Paganism is that view of life which finds the highest goal of human existence in the healthy and harmonious and joyous development of existing human faculties. Very different is the Christian ideal. Paganism is optimistic with regard to unaided human nature, whereas Christianity is the religion of the broken heart. John Gresham Machen optimistic christian heart
