Overview

In what remains a widely discussed issue in contemporary theology, J. Gresham Machen's The Virgin Birth of Christ acts as both an introduction to the subject, and a window into American 'Princeton' theology in the early twentieth century. Machen undertakes an encyclopaedic study of the different perspectives on the virgin birth. He begins with a close reading of the scriptural accounts, comparing and contrasting the stories of Jesus' birth told in Luke and Matthew. Secular historical accounts are then considered, as well as possible alternative theories, including the likelihood of the story being of early Jewish or Pagan origin. Machen's study was the definitive work on the virgin birth for the majority of the twentieth century, and remains an invaluable resource, both as an apologetic work and as a time capsule of theological progress.

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Reviews

"""Professor Machen's work is elaborate, learned and full. The writer possesses an acute mind and a competent knowledge of modern critical literature.""The Times""The Author has thought all around his subject and has left no phase unconsidered. His earlier published studies show that he has been thinking about it for a quarter of a century. I am not aware of any important literature on either side of the subject that he has overlooked.""The Christian Century (USA)""It is no doubt the most extensive book on the subject that has hitherto appeared, an impressive volume. But it is ... also so earnest, so circumspect, so intelligent in its discussions, that it must be recognized unqualifiedly as an important achievement.""Theologische Studien und Kritiken""Dr Machen's learning is so great and his reading exceedingly wide, so that his book will long be a repertory of information as to all angles of its subject.""The Churchman (USA)""Professor Machen has written a book on the Virgin Birth which is certain to gain the attention of all, friends or foes, who have an interest in this perplexing subject. His work is genuinely learned; it displays a thorough mastery of relevant literature, even when rather out of the way, and is surrounded by a wider zone of scholarship than discussion of this special subject might seem to require, but one which testifies the more to the writer's extreme carefulness.""Professor H.R. Mackintosh, in British Weekly"

Professor Machen's work is elaborate, learned and full. The writer possesses an acute mind and a competent knowledge of modern critical literature. The Times The Author has thought all around his subject and has left no phase unconsidered. His earlier published studies show that he has been thinking about it for a quarter of a century. I am not aware of any important literature on either side of the subject that he has overlooked. The Christian Century (USA) It is no doubt the most extensive book on the subject that has hitherto appeared, an impressive volume. But it is ... also so earnest, so circumspect, so intelligent in its discussions, that it must be recognized unqualifiedly as an important achievement. Theologische Studien und Kritiken Dr Machen's learning is so great and his reading exceedingly wide, so that his book will long be a repertory of information as to all angles of its subject. The Churchman (USA) Professor Machen has written a book on the Virgin Birth which is certain to gain the attention of all, friends or foes, who have an interest in this perplexing subject. His work is genuinely learned; it displays a thorough mastery of relevant literature, even when rather out of the way, and is surrounded by a wider zone of scholarship than discussion of this special subject might seem to require, but one which testifies the more to the writer's extreme carefulness. Professor H.R. Mackintosh, in British Weekly

Author Information

John Gresham Machen (1881-1937) was an American Presbyterian New Testament scholar and educator. Born in Maryland, Machen gained his undergraduate degree from John Hopkins University. He studied theology at Princeton Seminary whilst simultaneously achieving a Master's degree in Philosophy from Princeton University. In 1906 he became Professor of New Testament at Princeton Seminary and founded the Westminster Theological Seminary in 1929. Machen is often considered one of the last pioneers of 'Princeton' theology, a distinctive Calvinist tradition within Evangelical Christianity.

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