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VII

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 April 2011

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Summary

THE fourth objection has still to be met, not simply by pointing out that it is utterly inconsistent with the third, but separately, on its own merits. We are often told that modernism in Christianity is a ‘soft option,’ ‘a line of least resistance,’ which men choose as a refuge from the austere gospel of traditionalism. Modernists (to use a word which is at least brief and convenient) are daily accused of cheapening the gospel. Men tell us: ‘You will never win the world by lowering the standard of religion; hold up before men's eyes a real sacrifice, and they may come with you, offer them the mockery of a sacrifice, and they will mock at it and you.’ The words are very true; but the implication is very false. Nobody ever cheapened the gospel more shamelessly than the traditionalist friar of later generations, of whom both orthodox and unorthodox contemporaries report that he would help you through any sin in the decalogue if you would help him to yiolate his vow of poverty. On the other hand, no modernist writings I happen to have read would seem to justify even a momentary suspicion that the modernist hopes to get the kingdom of heaven on cheaper terms than other people. I speak again, of course, only of the sincere enquirer; for it must sadly be admitted that insincerity can shroud itself under the cloak of modernism almost as easily as under that of traditionalism.

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Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2010
First published in: 1919

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  • VII
  • G. G. Coulton
  • Book: Christ, St Francis and To-day
  • Online publication: 28 April 2011
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511707711.008
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  • VII
  • G. G. Coulton
  • Book: Christ, St Francis and To-day
  • Online publication: 28 April 2011
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511707711.008
Available formats
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Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • VII
  • G. G. Coulton
  • Book: Christ, St Francis and To-day
  • Online publication: 28 April 2011
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511707711.008
Available formats
×