WHAT IS FAITH?, by J. Gresham Machen, Banner of Truth Trust, £3.95.
This attractively bound Paperback, written by one of the most able theologians and apologists of the century, merits a more extensive Review than is ordinarily given in these pages. It is reproduced in large clear print that reflects credit on the publishers. The book exposes and repudiates an attitude to religion which is already popular and appears to be gaining in popularity. This champion of the Reformed Faith proves himself to be more than a match for his modern and liberal opponents. The message it proclaims is a timely and much needed one, for an age characterised by laxity and confusion of thought on the nature of true saving faith. Machen proves convincingly from Scripture that faith divorced from knowledge is deficient and suspect. The author does more than anticipate the plausible objections likely to be raised against the treatment of such a subject. Ironically and quite surprisingly, he traces the root of the anti-intellectual tendency to the entire philosophical development of modern times. Modern philosophy, since the days of Kant, and the theology that has been influenced by it, Machen argues, leads to a depreciation of reason and an attack on the intellect. What concerns the author most of all is the consequent errors, ignorance and indolence fostered by such a trend in the sphere of Christian religion and the Bible. He states that one chief purpose of the little book, is to defend the primacy of the intellect and in particular to try to break down the false and disastrous opposition which has been set up between knowledge and faith. The author underlines the consequent absence of doctrinal preaching and teaching, as but one product of the modernistic attitude. He also insists that this retrograde tendency is much more widespread and serious than is realised. Christ rather than the creeds — indeed Christ separated from the creeds is the pious slogan, but under honest biblical analysis the piety disappears and the error comes to light. What emerges is a brand of mysticism with its indifference to doctrines and creeds, which the writer roundly exposes and condemns. Both mystics and pragmatists share a common hostility to creeds, definitions and precision of terminology. “Simple trust in Jesus is all we need.” How plausible, yet how common. Machen proceeds to warn us solemnly against those who say, “We are preaching the gospel, we are bringing men and women into the church; we have no time for doctrinal controversy; let us alone, let us have peace.” In similar vein is the cry, “Let us sink our differences and go on with our work.” Have not we ourselves been deafened and alarmed by a more than similar plea? The true character and seriousness of such an attitude is still further highlighted and elucidated by the author. He says, “The peace and work philosophy of religion is nothing less than a religion of optimistic confidence in human nature, mutually exclusive of the approach of those pledged to define and defend historic Christianity.” These are sobering and searching words.
The significance of the link between faith and knowledge surfaces again in the chapter on Faith and the Gospel. It is plausibly suggested by some, that if faith in a doctrine be removed, that faith in a person may remain. The false psychology behind such statements is exposed by Machen, in terms of 1st Corinthians 15: 3-7. Yet another disastrous consequence of the depreciation of sound doctrine is underscored by the writer. He states that “hosts of persons are received into the church on the basis of nothing more than a vague admiration for the moral character of Jesus, or, also, on the basis of a vague purpose of engaging in humanitarian work. One such person in the church he continues, will do more harm to the Cause of Christ than ten such persons outside, and the whole practice ought to be radically changed.”
Those who most need to read and ponder the stance taken, and the warnings given in the book, are alas, the most likely to take umbrage at its contents. There can be no doubt that Machen’s arguments and caveats will disturb this superficial and hypocritical generation. But what of that? Better criteria should be used to judge of the merits of this book.
We commend this production to our readers for their profit and perusal and urge them not to be prejudiced by the presence of theological and philosophical terminology in exposing God-dishonouring and soul-ruining heresies. I trust all Free Presbyterians know the source of the blasphemous maxim, ‘Ignorance is the mother of devotion’; therefore I say — purchase a copy of this book at the modest sum of £3.95. F.M.
THE LIFE OF JOHN DUNCAN by A. Moody Stuart. Banner of Truth Trust. 226 pp £6.95.
Those familiar with the Life of Rabbi Duncan by David Brown and Rich Gleanings from Rabbi Duncan which have already been reprinted by our Publications Committee will welcome this further reprint — the Life of John Duncan by A. Moody Stuart, now reprinted by the Banner of Truth Trust.
In his younger days John Duncan lapsed into atheism but in the mercy of God was delivered out of it. Relating the deliverance he obtained at that time he acknowledged: “When I was convinced that there was a God, I danced on the Brig o’ Dee with delight”. It was under Dr Malan of Geneva that he was brought out into the clear light of the gospel. In 1841 Dr Duncan was appointed as missionary to the Jews in Budapest in Hungary. There his labours were owned of the Lord in bringing in Jews who were afterwards useful in the Lord’s vineyard, such as Adolph Saphir and Alfred Edersheim. He was recalled to Edinburgh in 1843 to take the Hebrew Chair in the Free Church College. There students for the ministry were privileged to enjoy the instructions of their spiritually-minded Professor. His ministrations in the pulpit were highly prized by the godly. His interest in the Jews continued throughout his life. Some of his addresses on the Jews given to the General Assembly of the Free Church are included in “Rich Gleanings of Rabbi Duncan”. D.B.M.
ZWINGLI AND CALVIN; WYCLIFFE AND HUSS; MARTIN LUTHER; JOHN HUSS; by John Broome. Gospel Standard Publications, 7 Brackendale Grove, Harpenden, Herts. AL5 3EL. Price £1.75 each.
These four booklets in the Reformers Series issued by the Gospel Standard Publications give a useful historical outline of the lives and work of the leading Reformers of the Reformation period. They are reprinted from the “Friendly Companion” where they first appeared. They should be of interest to young and old, bringing before the reader the history of these noted divines in small compass. How much do we owe to these men who were instrumental in the Lord’s hand in restoring the gospel in its purity to the lands in which they laboured. D.B.M.
THE YOUNG SPURGEON by Peter Jeffrey. Evangelical Press. 112 pp. £3.95.
In the preface to this paperback Peter Jeffrey says: “The life of Spurgeon ought to be compulsory reading for all Christians.” He goes on to lament that Christians do not read much today. In order to whet the appetites of Christians and encourage them to tackle the two excellent volumes on Spurgeon’s Life, The Early Years and the Full Harvest, he has written this short paperback on the early life of Spurgeon. The paperback would be worth buying even to read the account given of Spurgeon’s conversion in Chapter 4, and of his Calvinistic beliefs in Chapter 9. There is also much else of interest to the reader. It is to be hoped that the writer’s desire will be fulfilled and that many will go on to read the longer accounts given of Spurgeon’s life in the two volumes already mentioned and also in the two volumes on the Life and Work of Charles Spurgeon by G. Holden Pike just recently issued by the Banner of Truth Trust.
D.B.M.