"Christ Or Modernism"
"Christ or Modernism" is the challenging title of venerable W. W. Otey's most recent book. Brother Otey is the personification of Solomon's beautiful tribute to old age, "The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness." (Prov. 16:31.) Though the inexorable clock of time has made 87 of her annual convolutions since first he saw the light of day. Brother Otey still commands the strength of mind and body to write with clarity, freshness, and power. Brother Otey's mind has ever been keenly analytical and his style of writing terse and lucid. Sixty-eight years of his earthly pilgrimage have been spent in the proclamation of the ancient gospel. Early in life he dedicated himself unreservedly to the task of "contending for the faith once delivered," and 'having "put his hand to the plow," he has never "looked back." His record is one of consistent devotion to the sacred principles of New Testament Christianity. For what he believed to be the will of God, he has ever stood unflinchingly. The plaudits of men nor hope of earthly reward have ever succeeded in moving him either to the right or to the left. "Christ or Modernism" is the legitimate consequence of the assault of that gross caricature of Christianity, so-called "Modernism," upon the dedicated heart and consecrated life of a devoted soldier of the "cross of Christ" whose tenure of service in the Lord's army spans almost three quarters of a century. Apart from the merit of the material which the book itself contains, the impact upon the soul of the reader of the Abrahamic faith of Brother Otey shining through every word, sentence, and paragraph brings a spiritual uplift which will influence the life of the reader for 'Christ and righteousness long after memory's storehouse is able to yield the arguments of the text itself. From the reading of "Christ or Modernism" my faith has been enlarged, my courage renewed, and my spirituality deepened.
As the title indicates, the book has to do with perhaps the most challenging issue facing the church of God in this age. Modernism and its destructive fruits are to be seen everywhere even in the very bosom of the Lord's church. Modernism and Christ cannot go hand in hand. It is one or the other. This fact is most clearly demonstrated by Brother Otey. The need for such a book as this will be questioned by no one. The issue is not an academic question suited only for learned dissertations among preachers and destined for oblivion in musty theological tomes. It is a living, burning issue faced by every Christian in this age of rampant skepticism. Throughout the northern and eastern portions of our nation where the great centers of higher education have flourished for centuries, Modernism has vitiated the whole of professing Christianity with but few exceptions. Religion has lost its vitality. The churches have become social uplift societies whose spiritual influence over the lives of their communicants is nil. There is nought to challenge the burning devotion and sacrificial consecration of the heart and life of the individual, hence moral decadence and spiritual stupor prevail. Like the insidious encroachment of a malignant growth, Modernism has crept west and south until its blighting effects are everywhere apparent. In the church of the Lord its corrupting fruits are just now beginning to be felt. Another generation will be forced to engage it in a major conflict. Such books as "Christ or Modernism" will help to prepare our youth for the fray.
Brother Otey deals effectively with the precise character of Modernism and the points wherein its antagonizes the truth concerning Christ. Such themes as The Virgin Birth, The Resurrection, The Ascension, Blood Atonement, and Eternal Life are freely discussed. Several chapters deal with the Revised Standard Version of the Bible and the personal beliefs of her translators. The evidence presented is so effectively set forth as to force the reader to the conclusion that the version is without doubt tainted with Modernism, hence unsafe.
An unusual and outstanding feature of "Christ or Modernism" is that it can be read with pleasure and profit by the advanced student, yet just as readily adapts itself to the understanding and appreciation of the novice or the youth. High School students can read it with understanding and pleasure. Because of the encroachment of Modernism, the merit of the book itself, and the character and life of its author it should occupy an honorable place in the library of every Christian home. For these reasons and because of my deep, personal affection for Brother Otey "for his works sake" I urge that our readers buy and read "Christ or Modernism." The price is $2.50 and it may be ordered from the author at Winfield, Kansas, or from the Gospel Guardian.