MODERNISM TROUNCED

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 851, 20 December 1929, Page 6

MODERNISM TROUNCED

ADDRESS BY DR. OLIVER “BIBLE UNDER SUSPICION” “I have no respect for the conscienceless cur who takes holy orders and then preaches modernism,” declared Dr. French E. Oliver in Scots Hall last evening, speaking oa “Mod. emists: Have They Any Conscience?” He contended that modernists never had a word to say against fake religions but had plenty to say against faithful preachers. Modernists never spoke against their relations. The passage in Hebrews iv„ which formed part of his text, declared that the Word of God was a critic. The modernist took up the position that he was competent to criticise the Word of God. but he had not the right to criticise a mandate from God. Higher criticism was once simply atheism and rationalism. Modernists assumed that the Eible was under suspicion, and they took a bold stand with Voltaire and. Piiine. “Hotli fought their battles outsido of the Church,” Dr. Oiiver added. The Reformation stood on the Divine origin of Scripture. The modernist never had the courage to go to the Cannibal Islands. He could not go and deny the faith and expect to see transformed lives. He was a consummate coward who stayed where I his empty head was safe.”