"Conservative New Testament studies could also provide an intellectually satisfying alternative to German biblical criticism and to the liberal theology that accompanied it"
- John Gresham Machen
About this Quote
John Gresham Machen's quote reflects a pivotal discourse in doctrinal research studies throughout the early 20th century, highlighting the stress between conservative and liberal techniques to New Testament scholarship. Machen, a prominent theologian and founder of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, was a supporter for maintaining conventional doctrinal viewpoints in the face of modernist reviews.
The phrase "Conservative New Testament studies" recommends an approach rooted in standard interpretations and doctrinal orthodoxy. This approach typically stresses the historical authenticity of scriptural texts, the divinity of Christ, and the fundamental facts of Christianity as immutable. Machen implies that this conservative framework can provide an "intellectually gratifying alternative", recommending that it provides a robust scholarly and theological action in contrast to prevailing trends.
The mention of "German scriptural criticism" refers to a wave of 19th and early 20th-century scholarship that used historical-critical techniques to the Bible. This method typically questioned the literal historicity of biblical narratives, tended to stress the human and cultural elements affecting Scripture, and in some cases challenged conventional teachings. German critics like Julius Wellhausen and Rudolf Bultmann, among others, pushed for readings of the Bible that were frequently more doubtful of supernatural claims.
"Liberal faith", carefully associated with German scriptural criticism, looked for to adjust Christian idea to modern scientific and historic understanding. It typically emphasized the ethical teachings of Jesus over supernatural components and was seen by conservatives as jeopardizing core tenets of Christian faith.
Machen's assertion positions conservative New Testament studies as a bastion preserving the integrity of standard Christian doctrines against liberal infringements. It suggests that such studies can offer rigor and depth, offering believers with a solid intellectual foundation that appreciates the historic and spiritual claims of Christianity. In essence, Machen protects the concept that faith and factor, far from being irreconcilable, can exist together within a conservative hermeneutical framework.
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