Modernism and Fundamentalism 1n Great Britain
By Dr. John W. Thomas, Vice President Baptist Bible Union and Editor of the "Bible Call," London, England
There has never been a fiercer fight in our little island than is going on there today, and there have been some hot times-as you know-in that land; never a greater Intensity of antagonism than there is at the present time, and I happen-by God's leading-to have been plunged into the heart of that battle, and therefore can give you some– thing right from the center of the con– flict-a special message to this confer– ence from those who have been con– tending for the faith across the water. When the great struggle began to wax fierce in England perhaps 15 or 20 years ago, I said, "Would to God I had been born 50 years earlier In those halcyon days when the Bible was the glory of every Welsh home and when the minister spoke with authority to the multitude, and all went merry as a marriage bell. But here I am cast Into the midst of these evil days when the Word of God is denied." But I am glad to say that I have altered my mind since then and today thank God that He has considered me worthy to stand ror Him in the day of strife and has permitted me to engage in the battle for the ark of God and the authority of Jesus Christ. We are not out to be aggressors. When the battle Is raging hot, these Modernists turn upon us and say: "You are disturbing the peace. You are di– viding the church. You are disturbing its tranquility." Gocj. knows I would live at peace with all men if that were possible. I have always loved the church of Christ (although it Is not always lovely) but I must defend the honor and glory of
(This address was delivered at the World's Fundamental Conference, Ft. \Vorth, Texas. Dr. W. B. Riley, in intro– clucing Dr. Thomas, said, "Dr. Thomas has profoundly stirred his own country. He is a. leader in the Fundamental forces in England, and has made his influence felt in this country a.s well." The S. S. Times says of him: "Though small in stature he Is mighty ln the Scriptures, a graduate of London University and successor of the fa.mous English preacher, Hugh Stowell Brown, of Liverpool.") H T is not my Intention to preach a sermon-though I love preaching above everythin 0 g else-but I want to give you a text around which our thoughts may center-a text which I want you to bear in mind all the while--a text which ls well known to you all-John 1: 1, 14. "In the beginning was the Word; and the Word was with God; and the Word was God: • • • And the Word became fiesh and tented among us, and we beheld His glory-the glory as of the only begotten of the Father-full of grace and truth." I had not been in my room more than a few minutes this afternoon,-after a fortnight's traveling by land and sea, -before the telephone rang and a voice said, "I want a summary of what you are going to talk about tonight." I replied, "I do not know yet myself, for I do not know what the general theme of the Convention Is for today." The voice answered, "You are to talk about the Baptist Bible Union." So my sub– ject, you see, was fixed for me, and It suits me very well, if I may just give with it, also, the wider Idea of the bat– tle for the Bible In England.
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