Modernism
What is Modernism? Admittedly it is difficult to give a precise answer to this question, but one thing is certain: Modernism is not modern. Throughout the centuries since the origin of Christianity there have been men who have taken a negative attitude toward revelation, while at the same time claiming to believe the Bible "in some sense." May I suggest that perhaps a pretty good one-word definition of all that is involved in Modernism is the word "weakness."
Weakness in at least three different areas indicates the presence of Modernism. First, there is doctrinal weakness; second, there is moral weakness; third there is what we shall designate as personal weakness.
The Modernist is guilty of doctrinal weakness in that he denies New Testament doctrines that are fundamental in their very nature. Such important teachings as the virgin birth of Christ, His blood atonement, His bodily resurrection, the plenary inspiration of the scriptures, the miracles of Jesus, and even His deity, are held up to ridicule by some who claim to believe the word of God. This is Modernism in its most overt form. It is an attempt to deny everything supernatural; there can be no logical stopping-place short of Atheism.
Modernists are guilty of moral weakness when they try to dispense with Biblical principles of moral conduct. I have had several supposed believers to argue with me that such principles as modesty, chastity, sobriety, etc. are of human origin and subject to human interpretation. In other words, they rebel against the restraints demanded by a decent society in theory if not in practice. They talk a great deal about liberty in Christ, but forget that this is liberty from sin.
By personal weakness I really mean a lack of courage. I have known preachers to insist that they believe the fundamentals of the Bible, and to admit the justness of moral standards, yet do not have the courage to preach the truth on either doctrine or morals when opposition might be encountered. Usually they operate under the guise of charity and broadmindedness. Thus, while denying any Modernistic tendencies they refuse to oppose anyone who is openly a Modernist. I shall say plainly that a Modernist-sympathizer is as bad as a Modernist, and a sin-sympathizer is as bad as a sinner; in fact he is one!