Theology, we hold, is not an attempt to express in merely symbolic terms an inner experience which must be expressed in different terms in subsequent generations; but it is a setting forth of those facts upon which experience is based….The modern depreciation of theology results logically in the most complete skepticism. It is not merely that the ancient creeds, and the Bible upon which they are based, are criticized-indeed, we ourselves certainly think that they ought constantly to be criticized in order that it may be seen that they will stand the test-but the really serious trouble is that the modern pragmatist, on account of the very nature of his philosophy, has nothing to put in their place. Theology, according to him, may be useful; but it can never by any possibility be true.
J. Gresham Machen in What is Faith
March 17, 2008 at 8:15 pm
“…we ourselves certainly think that they ought constantly to be criticized in order that it may be seen that they will stand the test.”
What a great line. I think that we take our faith for granted way too much. We allow others to do the hard work for us and never bother to do any investigative work ourselves. We end up at, “I believe because that’s what I was taught.” But this challange that Machen talks about is exactly where we ought to be. And not just looking into the easy either, but the deep things that would shake us up. Almost like a divine doubt that forces us to wrestle with our faith and fighting to understand for ourselves. Great stuff. Kudos!