Machen on Doctrine

Human affection, so beautiful in its apparent simplicity, really depends upon a treasured host of observations of the actions of our friend.  So it is also in the case of our relation to God.  It is because we know certain things about him, it is because we know that He is mighty and holy and loving, that our communion with him obtains it peculiar quality.  The devout man cannot be indifferent  to doctrine, in the sense in which many modern preachers would have us be indifferent, any more than he can listen with equanimity  to misrepresentations of an earthly friend.  Our faith in God, despite all that is said, is indissolubly connected with what we think of Him.  The devout man may indeed well do without a systematization of his knowledge-though if he be really devout he will desire just as complete a systematization as he can possibly obtain-but some knowledge he must certainly have.

from “What is Faith“   by J. Gresham Machen  pg 75

Weekly Quote:Revelation as Accommodation

God, however, has not only told us his name, but in various instances has actually appeared to chosen people or to groups.  The presence of God in these theophanies is no exhibition of his essence, it is rather a further illustration that his essence is not only unknowable but also deadly to man-and his “voice” as well-except when graciously veiled under appearances accommodated to human abilities.  The emphasis as in the general revelation, remains on the communication of knowledge, and always under the double aspect of revealing-concealing, revealed character and concealed essence.

The Knowledge of God in Calvin’s Theology(pg 12)  by Edward A. Dowey, Jr.

Machen on Theology

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

Prayer of Calvin

Almighty God and Father, grant unto us, because we have to go through much strife on this earth, the strength of thy Holy Spirit, in order that we may courageously go through the fire, and through the water, and that we may put ourselves so under thy rule that we may go to meet death in full confidence of thy assistance and without fear.

Grant us also that we may bear all hatred and enmity of mankind, until we have gained the last victory, and that we may at last come to that blessed rest which thy only begotten Son has acquired for us through his blood. Amen.

 

In the “Golden Booklet of the True Christian Life“, By John Calvin

Another Quote For Thought

We must not only not raise a false report, but not take it up.  To divulge a report before we speak with the party and know the truth of it is unmercifulness and cannot acquit itself of sin….A man may sometimes as well wrong another by silence as slander.  He who is merciful to his brother is an advocate to plead in his behalf when he is injuriously traduced.

Thomas Watson      The Beatitudes

The Weekly Quote Thing

In God you come up against something which is in every respect immeasurably superior to yourself. Unless you know God as that-and, therefore, know yourself as nothing in comparison-you do not know God at all. As long as you are proud you cannot know God. A proud man is always looking down on things and people: and, of course, as long as you are looking down, you cannot see something that is above.

“Mere Christianity” By C.S. Lewis