Article October 3, 1908 Issue

WHAT IS TRUTH?

REV. W. H. DODD.

Jesus' declaration, "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free," is very frequently quoted by Christian Scientists. Lord Bacon begins his essay on Truth with the remark that when Pilate jestingly asked, "What is truth," he did not stay for an answer; but while this great philosopher discusses the comparative merits of truth and falsehood, he brings us no nearer the solution of Pilate's query. This question has been indeed the question of the ages. It is answered, however, by Jesus in a way that is at once convincing and satisfying, and it would be well for all who are seeking the truth to look for it in the light of his teaching, for the words quoted above will answer the question satisfactorily for all who believe on him to-day.

That which Christ Jesus named "my word," defined the realm, scope, or kingdom of Truth. He declared that the truth is included in the word which is distinctively characteristic of his teachings. His word expressed God, and God is the fulness of truth. If we would know the truth, we shall find it in harmony with Jesus' word, for it is nowhere else to be found. And what was the word which was characteristic of Jesus' teachings? What peculiarity separated that word from the teaching of the rabbis of his time? The word is the expression of thought, and in his thought Jesus practically recognized God as man's helper, his creator, omnipotent, omniscient. God, good, was to him All-in-all. Mrs. Eddy says in Science and Health (p. 52), "The 'man of sorrows' best understood the nothingness of material life and intelligence and the mighty actuality of all-inclusive God, good." His word was the consistent expression of this thought, and in this it was characteristic of all his work; but the world, asleep in the belief of matter, did not know or obey his word—it could not see things from his standpoint. Mrs. Eddy adds, "His master was Spirit; their master was matter. He served God; they served mammon. His affections were pure; theirs were carnal" (Ibid., p. 52). The Master offended their material belief,—his word, being the expression of Spirit, is contrary to many of the world's most cherished ideals. From Jesus' standpoint the most noble are those who see God, and the condition of seeing God is purity of heart. Entrance into the kingdom of Truth is to the loving, the meek. Material thought does not accept this teaching, and is therefore barred from the kingdom, for Jesus' words imply the direct conclusion that whatever is not in harmony with this word is of error or untrue.

The boundaries of Truth's realm are defined by Jesus' word. Further, the practical expression of his thought was, "Preach the gospel;" "Heal the sick." When he sent forth the twelve and again the seventy, his commission was to preach and to heal. His word in respect to healing does not include a single appeal to drugs, hygiene, or medicine. His dependence was wholly upon God, Mind, Spirit. He healed through the power of Spirit, not matter. Had he depended upon material remedies he would have instructed his students as to their use. This word of the great Teacher, "Heal the sick," has never been abrogated, withdrawn, nor disannulled, and surely none of his disciples are justified in denying or disregarding such an important and imperative portion of his word.

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