1. The History of Presbyterianism in the United States Part 6: Modernism A – From Princeton to Westminster (1923-29)

2. Master Timeline United StatesEurope 1620 – Mayflower lands 1730s-1743 – 1 st Great Awakening 1776-1783 – American Rev. 1790-1840 – 2 nd Great Awakening 1830 – Book of Mormon 1850-1900 – 3 rd Great Awakening 1861-1865 – American Civil War 1870 – Scottish Common Sense 1889 – Moody Bible Institute 1891 – Briggs’ address 1909 – Scofield Reference Bible 1910 – Pres. G.A.: 5 Fundamentals 1914-1919 – World War I 1922 – “Shall Fund.s Win?” 1923 – The Auburn Affirmation 1925 – The Scopes Trial 1929 – Westminster Theo. Seminary 1936 – Orthodox Presbyterian Ch. 1936 – John Mackay, Princeton Sem. 1643 – Westminster Confession of Faith 1650-1800 – Age of European Enlightenment & of Scottish Common Sense Philosophy 1770s-1900 – Rise of German Higher Criticism 1789-1799 – French Revolution 1827 – Plymouth Brethren begin meeting 1833 – Slavery Abolition Act of England 1859 - Charles Darwin – Origin of Species 1862-77 – Darby travels to the United States 1919 – Rise of Neo-Orthodoxy United States (cont.) 1937 – Death of J. Gresham Machen - Bible Presbyterian Ch. (McIntyre) 1966 – RTS, Jackson, MI 1967 – Confession of ‘67, Book of Confessions 1973 – PCA 1983 – Union of UPCUSA & PCUS

3. R. K. Churchill “The liberals did not openly declare to the church, ‘Your confession is very bad, it is hopelessly outdated and unscientific. If you do not change that confession, then we cannot conscientiously be a part of such a church.’ Rather, the liberals assumed positions as ministers and leaders in the church and then sought to undermine the church from within. The liberals were who successful in this fifth-column activity that in a short time those who believed wholeheartedly in the Scriptures and the church’s subordinate standards were either silenced or removed from the church.”

4. R. K. Churchill “How did the liberals accomplish their purpose? By appealing to the need for ‘tolerance’ and by accusing those who opposed them of being ‘narrow-minded.’ By this strategy many of the conservatives were put on the defensive. They suddenly became timid … All their resistance and discernment and even moral standards suddenly melted away. … In this manner those evils that would destroy the soul, the church and the nation were welcomed into the seminaries, pulpits and courts of the church. Never did the forces of error have an easier or more sweeping victory.”

5. R. K. Churchill “The liberals’ appeal for tolerance was, however, short-lived. Once the opponents of historic Christianity gained the upper hand, the plea for tolerance came to a sudden and dramatic end. As soon as the proponents of the new and debilitating theology became entrenched in the church, those who stood for the old faith had to pay tribute or leave.”

6. The Auburn Affirmation G.A. had no right to elevate “The Five Fundamentals” to “special test status” for ordination. “The Five Fundamentals” are not essential to the system of doctrine taught in the holy Scriptures. “The Five Fundamentals” are merely theories of those facts and doctrines.

7. The Auburn Affirmation The Bible is not inerrant. The General Assembly has no power to dictate doctrine to the Presbyteries. Liberty of thought and teaching, within the bounds of evangelical Christianity is necessary. "Some of us regard the particular theories contained in the deliverance of the General Assembly of 1923 as satisfactory explanations of these facts and doctrines. But we are united in believing that these are not the only theories allowed by the Scriptures and our standards as explanations of these facts and doctrines of our religion, and that all who hold to these facts and doctrines, whatever theories they may employ to explain them, are worthy of all confidence and fellowship."

8. “The Westminster Movement” “This group, in which Dr. Machen was so able a leader, held that the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America could not exist only half-loyal to the word of God. To state it more broadly, Christendom could not endure on a foundation consisting of the true gospel mixed with ‘another gospel.’ As a result of its stand, the Westminster Movement was singled out for destruction in a theological battle waged between those committed to historic Christianity and the liberal faction with its modern denials.”

9. “The Westminster Movement” “Dr. Machen, and those who stood with him, did not believe that spiritual conflicts, or even strategic battles, could be won by retreating. With the sword of the Lord in hand they marched boldly into every fray for the defense of the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. … They opposed error and stood for the truth without hesitation or reservation. They displayed their true colors and fought openly and without subterfuge. The same was not always true of their opponents.”

10. J. Gresham Machen Assistant Professor of NT at Princeton Theological Seminary Christianity and Liberalism, 1923 “My profession of faith is simply that I know nothing of a Christ who is presented to us in a human book containing errors, but I know only a Christ presented in a divine book, the Bible, which is true from beginning to end. I know nothing of a Christ who possibly was and probably was not born of a virgin, but only a Christ who was truly conceived by the Holy Ghost and born of the virgin Mary.

11. J. Gresham Machen Assistant Professor of NT at Princeton Theological Seminary Christianity and Liberalism, 1923 I know nothing of a Christ who possibly did and possibly did not work miracles, but know only a Christ who said to the wind and the waves with the voice of the Sovereign Maker and Ruler of all nature, ‘Peace, be still.’ I know nothing of a Christ who possibly did and possibly did not die as my substitute on the cross, but know only a Christ who took upon Himself the just punishment of my sins, and died there in my stead to make me right with the holy God.” The Presbyterian Guardian, 2/25/1945

12. Princeton Theological Seminary A project of the Presbyterian Church, started 1812 It grew to be a bastion for the “Old Side” of the Reformed faith and Confessionalism. It was “balanced” by Union Theological Seminary which stood for the “New Side”, being more broadminded and compromising.

13. Princeton Theological Seminary 1812-1851 Archibald Alexander Samuel Miller Charles Hodge John Breckinridge Joseph Addison Alexander James Waddell Alexander

14. Princeton Theological Seminary - 1875 Charles Augustus Aiken Casper Wistar Hodge James Clement Moffat William Henry Green Alexander Taggart McGill

15. Princeton Theological Seminary - 1900 Geerhardus Vos Benjamin Breckinridge Warfield Robert Dick Wilson

16. Princeton Theological Seminary Archibald Alexander Charles Hodge A. A. Hodge B. B. Warfield Geerhardus Vos

17. Princeton Theological Seminary, 1906 J. Gresham Machen joined faculty, 1906 Origin of Paul’s Religion, 1921 Christianity and Liberalism, 1923 What is Faith?, 1925

18. Princeton Theological Seminary, 1914 J. Ross Stevenson, new President He was persuaded that Princeton should represent the whole of the denomination.

19. Princeton Theological Seminary, 1914 “Never has Dr. Stevenson given any clear indication, by the policy that he has followed as President of the Seminary, that he recognizes the profound line of cleavage that separates the two opposite tendencies within the Presby- terian church, and the necessity that if Princeton Seminary is to be true to its great heritage and true to the moral obligations involved in the distinctive basis upon which it has always appealed for support, it must, in this great contention, definitely and unequivocally take sides.” (Machen, 1927)

20. Princeton Theological Seminary, 1914 “We [Princeton Seminary] are the agency of the combined Old School and New School and my ambition as President of the Seminary is to have it represent the whole Presbyterian Church and not any particular faction of it.” (Stevenson, 1927)

21. Princeton Theological Seminary, 1929 The General Assembly voted to radically re-organize the governance of the seminary allowing for a broader representation (Auburn Affirmation signers included).

22. Princeton Theological Seminary, 1929 Dr. Macartney refused to serve on the new board. Many stellar, orthodox faculty refused to continue at Princeton. Clarence E. Macartney Oswald T. Allis Cornelius Van Til R. Dick Wilson J. Gresham Machen

23. Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, 1929 Founded independently from the Presbyterian Church and her controlling influence. Claimed the mantle of “Old Princeton” Continued to hold and teach the Westminster Standards and the supernatural truths of the Bible.

24. Westminster Theological Seminary, Glenside, PA

25. New Covenant Presbyterian Church Preaching God’s Sovereign Grace to a World of Need 128 St. Mary’s Church Rd., Abingdon, MD 21009 410-569-0289 www.ncpres.org www.ephesians515.com