1. Long-tailed phrases:
– Machen and Religious Liberalism debate
– Old and New perspectives on Religious Liberalism.
Accident – Death – Obituary News : Pierce Taylor Hibbs, a respected Senior Writer at Westminster Theological Seminary, recently delivered a thought-provoking speech on the enduring relevance of J. Gresham Machen’s seminal work “Christianity and Liberalism” at the Philadelphia Conference on Reformed Theology on April 27. Hibbs, who has been actively involved in the forthcoming republication of Machen’s book on its one hundred year anniversary in 2023, drew parallels between the challenges faced by Christians today and those addressed by Machen in his time. His work at Westminster Seminary has primarily focused on the intricate relationship between language and the Trinity.
Hibbs expressed his belief that “Christianity and Liberalism” feels as though it could have been written in the present day, highlighting the timelessness of Machen’s analysis. While the book was recently reviewed by Riley B. Case and Bishop Timothy Whittaker, Hibbs’ insights shed new light on how the original liberalism has evolved into what he terms “the new liberalism” in the current cultural landscape. He emphasized that the book’s style may not align with modern sensibilities, which lean towards a more personal and accessible approach to engaging with audiences.
In his address, Hibbs touched upon the fundamental similarities between the theological liberalism discussed by Machen in the early twentieth century and the contemporary manifestations of liberalism. He identified five key features of Machen’s liberalism that still resonate today, albeit with certain modifications. These include the rejection of supernatural doctrines in favor of naturalistic experiences, viewing Scripture as inspiring but not necessarily inspired, prioritizing moral living over doctrinal truths, emphasizing the universal “Fatherhood of God and Brotherhood of Man,” and embracing a form of paganism that prioritizes human flourishing over divine intervention.
Moreover, Hibbs pointed out that a common thread running through both the old and new liberalism is a diminishing consciousness of sin, which leads to a sense of self-sufficiency and a disregard for the need for salvation. This shift towards self-improvement over reliance on external authorities like God or Scripture has created a spiritual vacuum that is characteristic of the new liberalism.
The essence of the new liberalism, as elucidated by Hibbs, is rooted in individualism, freedom, and a rejection of external authority. This has led to a devaluation of Scripture as a source of divine authority, with moral living being equated with radical individualism and personal gratification. The erosion of traditional values like the “Fatherhood of God and Brotherhood of Man” has given way to tribalism and a crisis of trust in objective truth. Additionally, the pervasive consumerism and relentless pursuit of personal success in today’s society epitomize the all-encompassing focus on self-fulfillment within the new liberalism.
In conclusion, Hibbs painted a stark picture of the new liberalism as an era dominated by self-absorption and subjective morality, where personal feelings and desires dictate one’s values and beliefs. This therapeutic and psychological self-centredness has distanced contemporary liberalism even further from the tenets of Biblical Christianity, presenting a formidable challenge for Christians seeking to engage with the prevailing cultural ethos. Hibbs’ incisive analysis serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring relevance of Machen’s work in navigating the complexities of faith and ideology in the modern world..
1. Machen religious liberalism
2. Old and new religious liberalism.
