MODERNISM

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 290, 6 December 1929, Page 7

MODERNISM

Sir, —All decent people will thank you for your footnote to Mr Aitken’s letter. As for the letter itself it is impossible to comment upon it in toto; that would take too long and would involve discussions on questions of history, textual criticism, etc., of which your correspondent obviously knows little and probably cares less. The antique jibe at “bishop that and dean this,” is not exactly in good taste. It is as old as the hills, and only emanate from a profound ignorance of the conditions of thought which meet thinking men in all ages. A study jf the “Life of Doan Stanley” might materially assist your correspondent. The fundamentalist rather reminds me of a forlorn hope dashing itself against the rising tide of Biblical knowledge. Suppose there were two writers of the composite book called Isaiah, is the belief in the fact to cause such an un-Christian attitude as is exhibited by your correspondent? As a matter of common knowledge there were probably three writers involved, not two. We hear of empty churches and lack of religion. Precisely so, and I say quite frankly that the fundamentalist with his views of mechanical inspiration, his theories of future punishment, his hell, his ideas of a God who is almost as frankly anthropomorphic as any conception in ! the Old Testament; above all, with his lack of charity for those who disagree I with him, is very largely to blame for 1 the situation. The modernist is doing an invaluable work for the youth of the world, a work of which your correspondent is apparently unaware. Being one of the class of bloated persons holding a fat billet I refrain from signing my name, but inclose my card. J ! NEMO. { ■P’S* Has your correspondent ever I read such works as those published by the Student Christian Movement? • They are obtainable here and in other ! centres. Might I also recommend to ; him Dr. J. A. Brewer’s “Literature of | the O.T. in its Historical Develop- f ment,” published by the Columbia; University Press, New York.