It is a rather sweeping statement to say no one defends Modernism today. Joseph Ratzinger was a Modernist himself when he said that. He later spent his days at the Holy Office fighting the Modernists, including former colleagues.
What new, brilliant illumination have Scripture scholars brought to us? Their greatest contribution has been squabble amongst themselves and even cast doubt upon the authenticity of Holy Scripture itself as the Word of God. 
Since the Church gave up the fight, membership has plummeted disastrously and amongst those who remain indifferentism prevails. The Modernist concepts of ecumenism and religious freedom have gone a long way in promoting this indifferentism