The Presbyterian Conflict [Paperback]

The Presbyterian Conflict, originally published by William B. Eerdmans in 1940, is a monument to a cause that continues beyond Edwin H. Rian's involvement with it. To many it remains the classic inside look at the valiant effort to preserve Presbyterian orthodoxy and ecclesiastical integrity.

The figure of J. Gresham Machen, the man so revered and relied upon by Mr. Rian in those days, stands behind the work. The book itself, therefore, pays tribute to this remarkable servant of Jesus Christ. However, it sets before us more than the reputation of one man. In it we confront issues that demand reflection and repentance from the twentieth-century church if she is to be true to her Savior.

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Rian left his doctoral studies in Berlin to help found Westminster Seminary in 1929. He was a personal sec'y of Machen, president of the school's board of trustees, and raised funds for it. This history of the OPC and Westminster was the first to be written. It is harsher than others in tone, which makes his own betrayal of the movemnet a few years later somewhat surprising.

A good if painful read.

The Barthian conception of history also destroys the very foundation of Christianity. Historic Christianity declares the virgin birth and bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ are events in history, but many Barthian claim facts are only pointers to the real events that take place in "supra-history". What the Bible clearly presents as historic narrative is questioned and changed as a mere story used to teach morals and concepts. The discussion of Barthian theology is found on page 84 of the 1940 edition I read. This work The Presbyterian conflict documents the reason those who believed in the Historic narrative of the Bible split from those who argued against the virgin birth and the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. When Presbyterian USA refused to punish who taught another Gospel. Dr. J. Gresham Machen showed that the neo-Christianity preached not a perversion of Christianity but a new and different religion. He made the argument on October 23, 1923. Liberals and Modernist are made interchangeably in this work.

Three battles over teaching are explored in this work within the Presbyterian USA. What is taught in the local congregation; what is taught at the seminary level; what is taught overseas in foreign missions? Perversion of Christianity was taught in all three spheres. This discussion in this work is presented with pastors signing the Auburn Affirmation. The heresy taught or affirmed through the Auburn Affirmation are not particular to Presbyterian or Reform theology, but common to all historic Christianity. First doctrine disputed by the Auburn Affirmation states neither scripture no The Westminster Confession of Faith argues that the Bible or scripture is kept from error. The Westminster Confession does "state full persuasion and assurance of infallible truth" and "the entire perfection thereof "are phrases to describe God's word. This doctrine was also taught by Martin Luther, the Roman Catholic Church, and the Greek Orthodox Church.

The second Doctrine affirmed thru the Auburn Affirmation: that Jesus was man manifest God"; this sounds innocent enough. The Affirmation continues: But we are united in believing that these are not only theories allowed by the scriptures and our standards as explanation of these facts and doctrines of our religion, whatever theories that they may employ to explain them, are worthy of all confidence and fellowship". Those who made this affirmation clearly lower what is clearly stated in Matthew and Luke as theories: the virgin birth may be consider as optional theology of Christianity. Conservatives argued: it is an essential doctrine word of God and standards that our Lord Jesus Christ was born of the Virgin Mary.

The fourth Doctrine affirmed thru the Auburn Affirmation: The Bodily resurrection is just of one of many theories. The resurrection of Christ is not necessarily bodily. Historic Christianity argues: "It is an essential doctrine of the word of God and of our standards concerning our Lord Jesus Christ, that on the third day he rose again from the dead with the same body he suffered, with which he ascended into heaven...) The third doctrine statement affirmed by the Auburn Affirmation: that God was in Christ reconciling the World into himself, and through Him we have our redemption. It is essential doctrine word of God and our standards "Christ offered up himself a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice and reconcile us to God." How do those who argue Jesus reconcile us but deny bodily resurrection?

The fifth doctrine disputed or in conflict with the Auburn Affirmation is: "It is essential doctrine of deliverance of the word of God as supreme standard of Faith that our Lord Jesus showed His power by working mighty miracles. This power was not contrary to nature, but superior to it". The Auburn Affirmation does affirm many mighty works by Jesus while he walked this earth. Dr. Edwin H. Rian argues that the affirmation was a way to state ones belief in naturalism and split from the supernatural.

Dr. Stevenson became president of the Theological Seminary of the Presbyterian Church in Princeton. He argues the school should represent the whole Presbyterian USA, not just historic Christianity and Calvinism. He also was critical of Princeton students who removed themselves from the conference of Middle Atlantic of Theological Seminaries when at conference the final authority of the Bible was questioned along with the virgin Birth. The book details the conflict in greater depth about Dr. Machen not being promoted at Princeton seminary and the choice of unorthodox professors at Princeton Seminary. In Response to the University moving away from Biblical teaching, Dr. Machen and Dr. Wilson help form Westminster Theological Seminary. The Presbyterian USA had forbidden it member churches from hiring or ordaining graduates from the newly formed seminary.

Another conflict was over Foreign Missions and the Board of Foreign Missions. In 1932 there was a report rethinking Christian Missions. The goal was changed from telling people about original sin, man's sin, God's wrath against sin, and man's need for a redeemer. Also it failed to Discipline a missionary named Pearl S. Buck who did not believe the Chinese should not be taught about the supernatural. The Board argued for a common alliance with Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism in a fight against materialism, naturalism, and immorality. This work details Dr. Machen arguments against the Foreign Mission Board. When an alternate foreign missions board was formed, the Presbyterian Church in USA sought discipline against those who joined the alternative.

These are the major conflicts that caused local church bodies to leave Presbyterian Church in USA and the organization of The Orthodox Presbyterian Church: More particulars of the leaving the denomination and who owned local church property. The choice was between the unity of the church or to follow the Will of God and the clear word of God.

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