Article July 11, 1908 Issue

A reverend critic says that "Christian Science denies...

James D. Sherwood

El Paso (Tex.) Evening News

A reverend critic says that "Christian Science denies the atoning sacrifice of Christ for sin; that it teaches disobedience to Christ's commandments to repent and to preach the gospel of salvation to the lost everywhere." In making these claims it is quite evident that the gentleman has an imperfect knowledge of the teachings of Christian Science regarding sin, for it is known that Christian Scientists as a class have a keener sense of sin than have most people, taught as they are to know that as long as sin is indulged in it brings forth suffering, here and now; and that the suffering occasioned by sin will cease only when sinning ceases, and repentance and reformation cancel the love of sin and the practice of it. Mrs. Eddy, the revered Leader of Christian Science, says on page 107 of her "Miscellaneous Writings," "Without a knowledge of his sins, and repentance so severe that it destroys them, no person is or can be a Christian Scientist."

Christian Science teaches that only through the atonement of Christ is there escape from sin and its dire effects, and this atonement is understood to include a practical repentance and actual abandonment of sin and an implicit obedience in following in the footsteps of our Master, who said, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me." In the Gospels we learn that when our Master sent forth his disciples to preach "the kingdom of heaven is at hand," he added this admonition, "Heal the sick." Christian Scientists understand the gospel of salvation to mean salvation from sickness and all the distressing ills of human existence, as well as salvation from sin, and I am confident that when our brother comes to know of the great number of good men and women in this and in foreign lands who are engaged day and night in preaching "the kingdom of heaven is at hand," ministering to those who are afflicted, healing the sick, reforming the sinner, and raising to lives of usefulness those who are dead in trespasses and sins; when he knows these results are being accomplished and are being witnessed to as accompanying Christian Science practice, he will rejoice with us, and be more inclined to praise than to censure a demonstration of Christianity that is making the world so much better.

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