Machen's Experience in World War I

J. Gresham Machen's service during World War I profoundly shaped his understanding of faith and courage. While working with the YMCA on the Western Front, he provided essential support to soldiers, including care, supplies, and emotional comfort, highlighting his commitment to aiding those in distress. In a particularly intense moment amidst the chaos of battle, Machen expressed a newfound conviction that he was under God's protection and that his trials would not exceed his strength. This realization not only fortified his personal faith but also laid the groundwork for his later theological challenges upon returning to Princeton, where he would engage in significant doctrinal conflicts within his denomination.