The Origin of Paul's Religion (ePub)

John Gresham Machen (1881-1937) was an American Presbyterian theologian in the early 20th century. He was the Professor of New Testament at Princeton Theological Seminary from 1906 to 1929, and led a conservative revolt against modernist theology at Princeton and formed Westminster Theological Seminary as a more orthodox alternative. As an erudite scholar, Machen's scholarly work stood at the crossroads of religious debates about Christianity during a time of secular challenge. His book, 'The Origin of Paul's Religion' (1921), is considered a seminal work in which Machen disputes the modernist notion that Paul's religious experience was primarily based on his personal psychological insights rather than on historical events. He argues that the roots of Paul's theology are traceable to Jesus Christ's teachings and the Old Testament prophecies, rather than the product of the apostle's own innovation (Machen, 1921). Machen's work in this area not only showcases his staunch defense of orthodox Christianity but also reflects his commitment to rigorous historical scholarship. His writing is distinguished by its clarity, depth, and his unwavering dedication to the Reformed tradition. Machen's contribution to theological scholarship and the conservative Christian thought movement remains influential among Protestant evangelical circles to this day.