Article December 13, 1900 Issue

Is Christian Science Transcendental?

BY HERBERT S. FULLER.

In my work in Christian Science I am often told by those who are investigating and have but reached the numeration table, even if they have got that far, that Christian Science seems transcendental, and in each of these cases the word is used in the sense of that which is "vaguely and ambitiously extravagant in speculation, imagery, or diction." Were it referred to as transcendental, meaning "superior excellence," I should say unhesitatingly that Christian Science is transcendental; but from the meaning often given the word by those who apply this term to Christian Science I dissent.

Too often we are apt to term that transcendental which we do not understand, and we thus show our ignorance of the subject under consideration. All too often we use this term to dispose of the matter in hand, realizing that we cannot defend our position. It is probable that the very practical rule of three seems transcendental to one who does not understand its meaning or know what can be brought forth because of an understanding of it. The science of music is open to the same charge, as is every other science when the term is used as expressing exaggeration. To the mind unprepared the statement of astronomical facts would be considered transcendental. It is the belief that "seeing is believing" that says that unless a system satisfies the material eyes and the material mind it must be classed as transcendental.

In Webster's International Dictionary we are told that transcendental has reference to those beliefs or principles which are not derived from experience, and yet are absolutely necessary to make experience possible or useful. Here again Christian Science fails to answer to the definition of transcendental, because a belief in Christian Science, or rather an understanding of it, is from a Principle which does make experience possible and useful. The Principle of Christian Science is God, and realizing this and working from that standpoint alone, Christian Science is found to be a belief that brings forth works which are derived from experience and which are most useful to the world.

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