Article June 20, 1908 Issue

Aside from our critic's strictures of Christian Science, his...

J. V. Dittemore

Utica (N. Y.) Herald-Dispatch

Aside from our critic's strictures of Christian Science, his sermon is reported to have been almost entirely devoted to an effort to impress on his hearers that "salvation pertains to the present." This teaching, in its broadest meaning and according to the undivided commands of Jesus to heal and to save, is the very basis of Christian Science practice. Evidently our reverend critic considers that this teaching is beautiful, inspiring, and true when given to the world through one of his own Lenten services, but when taught through Christian Science these same truths become "hollow and shallow." In spite of our critic's views of a "present salvation" he evidently considers that deliverance from sickness and suffering is either unnecessary or impossible, for he says we cannot hope to escape them. To be consistent with this doctrine, our critic should not attempt to get well when he is sick. If sickness is sent by God and is a part of His infinitely wise plan, it would be presumptuous for mortals even to attempt to thwart God's will by trying to overcome what He has sent.

Christian Science shows that sin, sickness, suffering, and discord are not of God, but are the result of the failure of mortals "to know God aright." It says in the words of Jesus that "Satan hath bound" mortals through ignorance or sin. It also confirms Jesus' definition of this Satan as a "liar," a "deceiver," and proves that in proportion as mortals "know the truth" they are "made free" from all deceptions of human experience, and through increased spiritual understanding they gradually put on more of that Mind "which was also in Christ Jesus." Jesus promised his followers that they should do the works that he did in proportion to their understanding of his teachings. He told them that certain sings of healing and regeneration should "follow them that believe" (understand). Christian Scientists believe that he meant what he said, and they are willing to trust their lives to the demonstration of the verity of his teaching. They know that their understanding of this teaching is as yet very limited, and that they have but "touched the hem of his garment;" but they also know, as Mrs. Eddy has said, that "the ability to demonstrate to the extent that Jesus did, will come when the student possesses as much of the divine Spirit as he shared, and utilizes its power to overcome sin" (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 55).

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

Aside from our critic's strictures of Christian Science, his...

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access