Guide to the works of J. Gresham Machen (1881–1937). Scholar. Preacher. Founder of Westminster Theological Seminary. Leader in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church.
By J. Gresham Machen, D.D., Litt.D.
Professor of New Testament, Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia
IN THE teaching of our Lord the Old Testament books are placed in a category sharply distinct from that to which all other books belong; they alone are treated by the Lord Jesus as authoritative “Scripture.” But our Lord appointed apostles whom he invested with authority. It was by virtue of that authority that the apostles added to the Bible by publishing the New Testament books. Only those books rightly belong to the New Testament which were either actually written by apostles or else were written and published by immediate disciples of the apostles under the apostles’ superintendence and approval. For the writing of such books, and such books only, the Holy Spirit vouchsafed that supernatural working that we call inspiration. Hence inspiration ceased when the apostolic age was over.
Please submit corrections, feedback, or information as to where the text of this article can be found.