What Is Faith?

This book was found in an old collection of books, and we were apprehensive of considering it for publication because first of all it is a very rare and unknown book, and secondly, it is by a Presbyterian, and it was supposed that such a theological background would be somewhat distorted on such a crucial topic as faith. However, upon reading it, it was found to be a very important book and one that modern Christianity does not want available to Christians!

The book is an essential description and definition of faith and its several aspects and implications. At the core of worship, salvation, holy living, etc. is a proper faith. An improper or distorted opinion of faith is godlessness.

A book is known by its enemies, and this one has surprisingly quite a few of those who wish to ignore the saving gospel of Christ, and reduce the Bible to anything but the inspired words of God. Because of this, this book has been censured from publication, and there are those that hope that it will not find its way into people’s hands. The book is an incredible defence of the faith, clearly defining it in common terms and applying it to society. Every Christian should carefully read this book! It is a mostly philosophical defence of the inspiration of Scripture, the existence of God, the deity of Christ, and the importance of maintaining the high standards of the Word of God in the lives of people today.

But the book is not aloof and filled with platitudes, but instead is a very practical book. For example, on page 123-130, Dr. Machen offers seven things that must govern public education, after pointing out the problems of it, in regard to trying to teach character building and morality apart from redemption.

In chapter 5, Dr. Machen shows how modernism destroys the doctrine of atonement, by making it of no purpose, and so in the process explains this important doctrine in clear and relevant terms. Then on page 150 and following, there is the importance of carefully restricting church membership, so that it is not simply based on the saying of a few words, but by an understanding and commitment to God’s Word and faith.