---
title: 'The Present Situation in the Presbyterian Church'
type: pdf
hasMedia: true
requiresPurchase: false
authors:
- 'J. Gresham Machen'
date: 1930-05-01
collection: 'Archives'
subcollection: '20th century'
topics:
- 'American Presbyterian and Reformed History'
- 'Narrative of the State of Religion'
- 'Presbyterian Polity'
- 'Deism, Unitarianism, and Unbelief'
- 'Westminster Standards'
- 'Scripture'
scriptures:
- 'Galatians 1'
- 'Jeremiah 6'
- 'Matthew 5'
- 'Galatians 4'
- '1 Corinthians'
url: https://confessional.org/archives/20th-century/the-present-situation-in-the-presbyterian-church
---

# The Present Situation in the Presbyterian Church

In this article, published in Christianity Today in May of 1930, J. Gresham Machen argued that the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. was experiencing a profound theological crisis driven by the rise of Modernism and a growing unwillingness to defend historic Christian doctrine. He contended that doctrinal compromise, vague appeals to unity, and tolerance of unbelief within the church had weakened its witness and undermined institutions such as Princeton Seminary. While deeply critical of the church’s drift, Machen called evangelicals to face the situation honestly, support faithful institutions, and continue contending courageously for the truth of the gospel.

[Download](https://media.confessional.org/archives/MachenJohnGreshamThePresentSituationinthePresbyterianChurch-2.pdf)