Article May 3, 1900 Issue

Christian Science and Higher Criticism

Sue H. Mims

Atlanta (Ga.) Constitution

In view of the recent resignation of Professor Mosely, of Mercer College, because of his study of Christian Science; of the recent resignation of Dr. Hillis from the Presbyterian Church on account (it is said) of the influence of the higher criticism; of the retirement of the learned rabbi, Dr. Wertheimer, from the Jewish Church and his conversion to Christian Science, it becomes interesting to know the difference between what is called the higher criticism and Christian Science. The tendency of the higher criticism is toward a large and liberal view of the literal sense of the Bible with the attempt to reconcile it to the human logic, material evolution, and material science. This process necessarily abolishes much of its literal history. Christian Science, on the contrary and exactly opposite line, keeps the sacred Scriptures absolutely intact, but, throwing on them the lens of Soul, restores their spiritual sense, and with it the lost power and understanding of primitive Christianity.

It was this spiritual sense of the Scripture and of Jesus' true character and mission that glorified the vision of St. Paul and converted him. Then he saw the old Scriptures, as types of what was to be revealed: "Now these things happened unto them for ensamples" (I Corinthians, 10:11). We find in the concluding paragraphs of that remarkable fourth chapter of Galatians, wherein man's divine kinship is so strongly taught, that the entire beautiful story of Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar is lifted entirely out of any personal meaning and is interpreted in its absolutely metaphysical or spiritual meaning, showing the Jerusalem that now is—a material sense of man and the universe at war with the new Jerusalem—the spiritual sense—that is mother of us all.

The entire Epistle to the Hebrews is a translation of the old forms and ceremonies of the Jewish church into their sublime spiritual sense; it is this sense that Christian Science restores to the world with the regenerating power that is its accompaniment.

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