Machen argued that Liberal Christianity constituted a distinct religion, since it denied substitutionary atonement.[3] However, its true nature was, according to Machen, "hidden by the duplicitous use of traditional terms and categories by liberal clergy."[4] Machen wrote,[5][6][7]
The liberal attempt at reconciling Christianity with modern science has really relinquished everything distinctive of Christianity, so that what remains is in essentials only that same indefinite type of religious aspiration which was in the world before Christianity came upon the scene.
Iain H. Murray calls Christianity and Liberalism "one of the most important books of all times".[8][9]Vance Havner was deeply influenced by the book, which caused him to reject his earlier fascination with Fosdick's teaching.[10]
