Article November 16, 1907 Issue

In your issue of Oct. 21 is a brief synopsis of a paper...

John Carveth

Grand Rapids (Mich.) News

In your issue of Oct. 21 is a brief synopsis of a paper read before the class in Applied Christianity at the Fountain Street Baptist Church the day previous on the "Christian Science Method of Interpreting the Bible." The subject of interpretation of the Holy Scriptures is of vital importance to all mankind, and it is of such vast significance that in this brief reply but a few of the guiding premises for interpretation can be given. First I wish to emphasize the fact that Christian Scientists do not subscribe to the proposition contained in the paper read, "that a great majority of the people must take their interpretation of the Bible from their leaders," especially if this is to be applied to professing Christians.

The text-book of Christian Science, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," does not attempt to put forth any specific interpretation of the various passages of the Bible, and only a few verses from Genesis and Revelation are thus specifically interpreted; yet faithful students of the Bible, in the light shed upon it by Science and Health, which unfolds the true basis of interpretation, agree with marked unanimity in their understanding of the Scriptures. Even those who have conducted their studies alone and without mingling or corresponding with other Scientists, gradually arrive at the same conclusions. As the student gains the spiritual import of the Bible, he begins to put into practice what he learns by overcoming in some degree sin and disease and all manner of human discords. and when he finds that the spiritual insight thus gained works, his delight is unbounded and he presses onward toward the high mark. Day by day the honest and faithful student is able to prove that God's Word has been given him, for he finds that it heals in the degree of his understanding as it did in Jesus' time, and therefore human arguments do not move him.

To the Christian Scientist the whole Bible must be interpreted from the basis and in the light of the teaching and works of our great and loving Master. Christ Jesus. This immaculate Teacher taught that God is Spirit, and also that God is the only good, therefore that Spirit is the only good. He also declared that like produces like, for he said, "Every good tree bringeth forth good fruit;... A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit;" "that which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit;" "it is the spirit that quickeneth: the flesh profiteth nothing;" that figs cannot be gathered from thistles, etc. Therefore the conclusion must inevitably be that the law of Spirit. God, must be spiritual and good. Christian Scientists adhere to this fundamental proposition of Jesus, notwithstanding to the physical senses the contrary often seems true.

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

In your issue of Oct. 21 is a brief synopsis of a paper...

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access