“MODERNISM” ATTACKED

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 615, 18 March 1929, Page 14

“MODERNISM” ATTACKED

AN ANCIENT CORRUPTION YOUNG PEOPLE ENDANGERED An attack on “Modernism” was made in the Presbyterian Church. Hobsonville, last evening by Mr. Reuben E. Dowle, who took as his text Matthew xv. 9: “In vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” "From this passage it appears that forms of unbelief were corrupting the Jewish Church,” said the speaker. " ‘Modernism’ so called is, it is clear, on a parallel with this ancient corruption. Christ told the Scribes and Pharisees that it was vain to worship Cod. while teaching the commandments of men. Quoting Fsaias Tie points out that lip service without heart service ia vain "To-day, even where we should least expect it, men are foolishly leaving the statements of God’s word and substituting the mere speculations of men endued with a craving for modern ideas. In other words, merely attempting to galvanise ancient and exploded theories. No doubt their principles are astray and they are chiefly using destructive criticism. "The creation of man as recorded in Genesis is discarded and the 'gorilla' theory is adopted instead. The fall of mankind from a state of perfection is derided, and, the birth, divinity and atonement of Christ are sometimes almost blasphemously alluded to," tne preacher went on. , "We maintain that though modern ideas in some material directions may contribute to progress, such methods should not be allowed to enter the realms of religion, science or philosophy, because bedrock principles have asserted, do now and always will assert themselves. They are as true now—indeed as essential now—as at the beginning of all things. “Further, the morals and general efficiency and progress of a person, or a State, are dependent on the correctness or otherwise of the principles held. Ignorance of Biblical truth is always productive of decay. If the divinelyinspired word of God is neglected or corrupted, much harm must result. "The lives of our people are in great danger if they have no authoritative foundation on which to build. They too often constitute a menace to society and the State,” declared Mr. Howie.

“Never, perhaps, has the fact of human depravity been so unconsciously proved as by the error of Modernism, "The native sphere is dark, the mind is dim.’ when any form of scepticism is prevalent. In these days there are scoffers, walking after their own lusts, so the word of God informs us. “However. ‘The Son of Righteousness has arisen with, healing in His wings.’ We all hope mankind will come to 'the Light of the Word as revealed in scripture. The individual and the State will only be saved and made efficient in proportion to adherence to the teachings of Him who came to seek and to save that which was lost,” the speaker concluded