Overview

Full Product Details

9781596384798

Table of Contents

Reviews

"""Doughboy accounts of their experiences in World War I are fairly common, but it is unusual to find the stories of those who offered assistance behind the trenches. J. Gresham Machen served in the YMCA in France for over a year and was always near the frontline. Whether helping the wounded or working in the canteen, he ministered to the men as best he could. Machen's letters reveal the frustrations and boredom that so many soldiers felt as well as the joys of serving those in need. Machen's compassion is truly amazing, and his letters home offer a wonderful glimpse of the service of one YMCA official. The editor, Dr. Barry Waugh, deserves commendation as well. His commentary and footnotes provide essential guidance for fully understanding Machen's service and ministry during the war.""--David Snead, Chair, Department of History, Liberty University; Editor of George Browne: An American Soldier in World War I (2006). ""J Gresham Machen is a fascinating, complex, and controversial figure, well known for his role in the church conflicts of the 1920s and '30s. What is often forgotten is that he was also a member of the generation of young men whose lives were forever changed by their exposure to the horrors of trench warfare in the First World War. This volume contains the letters that the young Machen wrote home as he served as a YMCA volunteer in the war. As such, they both offer important firsthand accounts of the conflict and also give us insights into some of the darker experiences that shaped the mind of the future church leader.""--Carl R. Trueman, Paul Woolley Professor of Church History, Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia ""J. Gresham Machen played a key role in the theological debates of the 1920s and 1930s. His work has been studied and evaluated from many angles. What is less well-known and less well considered is his service in the First World War. Although he objected to American involvement, he participated as a volunteer in the YMCA. From these rare letters the reader can see a fresh side of the great scholar. On the battlefields of France he was simply known as a compassionate soul who brought solace to scores of suffering soldiers. For those who only know Machen the polemicist, this volume will showcase Machen the caregiver.""--William Edgar, Professor of Apologetics, Westminster Theological Seminary For students of Presbyterian history, Machen is always a stop along the timeline. We consider his scholarly role and applaud his supernaturalism. It is even commonly known of his international travels to study under men like Hermann. Now we have access to the humanitarian Machen. In the context of the Great War, these personal letters open up a new side of him. From his own pen, often in the midst of uncertainties, we are able to know him better. I can't commend this book too much.--Nick Willborn What a treat Barry Waugh has provided for those who love Machen! J. Gresham Machen with the YMCA reveals Machen the perfectionist, the theologian, the servant, and the son. But, these letters to his family also reveal the changed man, having seen firsthand the horrors of war.--Danny E. Olinger"

"""Doughboy accounts of their experiences in World War I are fairly common, but it is unusual to find the stories of those who offered assistance behind the trenches. Whether helping the wounded or working in the canteen, [J. Gresham Machen] ministered to the men as best he could. Machen's compassion is truly amazing, and his letters home offer a wonderful glimpse of the service of one YMCA official.""--David Snead, Chair, Department of History, Liberty University; Editor of George Browne: An American Soldier in World War I (2006). ""J. Gresham Machen is a fascinating, complex, and controversial figure. . . . What is often forgotten is that he was also a member of the generation of young men whose lives were forever changed by their exposure to the horrors of trench warfare in the First World War. This volume contains the letters that the young Machen wrote home as he served as a YMCA volunteer in the war. As such, they both offer important firsthand accounts of the conflict and also give us insights into some of the darker experiences that shaped the mind of the future church leader.""--Carl R. Trueman, Paul Woolley Professor of Church History, Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia"

From these rare letters the reader can see a fresh side of the great scholar. On the battlefields of France, he was simply known as a compassionate soul who brought solace to scores of suffering soldiers. For those who only know Machen the polemicist, this volume will showcase Machen the caregiver. -- William Edgar Professor of Apologetics, Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia

Doughboy accounts of their experiences in World War I are fairly common, but it is unusual to find the stories of those who offered assistance behind the trenches. J. Gresham Machen served in the YMCA in France for over a year and was always near the frontline. Whether helping the wounded or working in the canteen, he ministered to the men as best he could. Machen's letters reveal the frustrations and boredom that so many soldiers felt as well as the joys of serving those in need. Machen's compassion is truly amazing, and his letters home offer a wonderful glimpse of the service of one YMCA official. The editor, Dr. Barry Waugh, deserves commendation as well. His commentary and footnotes provide essential guidance for fully understanding Machen's service and ministry during the war. --David Snead, Chair, Department of History, Liberty University; Editor of George Browne: An American Soldier in World War I (2006). J Gresham Machen is a fascinating, complex, and controversial figure, well known for his role in the church conflicts of the 1920s and '30s. What is often forgotten is that he was also a member of the generation of young men whose lives were forever changed by their exposure to the horrors of trench warfare in the First World War. This volume contains the letters that the young Machen wrote home as he served as a YMCA volunteer in the war. As such, they both offer important firsthand accounts of the conflict and also give us insights into some of the darker experiences that shaped the mind of the future church leader. --Carl R. Trueman, Paul Woolley Professor of Church History, Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia J. Gresham Machen played a key role in the theological debates of the 1920s and 1930s. His work has been studied and evaluated from many angles. What is less well-known and less well considered is his service in the First World War. Although he objected to American involvement, he participated as a volunteer in the YMCA. From these rare letters the reader can see a fresh side of the great scholar. On the battlefields of France he was simply known as a compassionate soul who brought solace to scores of suffering soldiers. For those who only know Machen the polemicist, this volume will showcase Machen the caregiver. --William Edgar, Professor of Apologetics, Westminster Theological Seminary For students of Presbyterian history, Machen is always a stop along the timeline. We consider his scholarly role and applaud his supernaturalism. It is even commonly known of his international travels to study under men like Hermann. Now we have access to the humanitarian Machen. In the context of the Great War, these personal letters open up a new side of him. From his own pen, often in the midst of uncertainties, we are able to know him better. I can't commend this book too much.--Nick Willborn What a treat Barry Waugh has provided for those who love Machen! J. Gresham Machen with the YMCA reveals Machen the perfectionist, the theologian, the servant, and the son. But, these letters to his family also reveal the changed man, having seen firsthand the horrors of war.--Danny E. Olinger

Author Information

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available