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The opposition shown to Christian Science by professed...
The opposition shown to Christian Science by professed Christians of other denominations often springs from a belief that the teaching of Christian Science is contrary to that of the Bible. That they are mistaken in this belief is shown by the following tenet, to which all who unite with the Christian Science Church are required to subscribe: "As adherents of Truth, we take the inspired Word of the Bible as our sufficient guide to eternal life" (Science and Health, p. 497). Let us assume, as a starting-point for consideration of this attitude of opposition, that all who profess to be Christians—in which category we must include Christian Scientists—accept Paul's statement that the Bible is able to make them "wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." Then, when professed Christians attack Christian Science and its adherents, who, if the above-quoted passage from the Christian Science text-book means anything, do most certainly thus accept the Bible, the ground of disagreement must be either on account of differing interpretations of the Scriptures or because of misinterpretation of the teachings of Christian Science.
In either case the onus lies with those who attack Christian Science on the ground of its being contrary to the Scriptures—if they desire to prove that their interpretation of Holy Writ is right and that of Christian Science is wrong—first to come to a correct understanding of the Christian Science teaching. This is possible only through an open-minded, entirely unbiased study of the text-book of Christian Science, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy. In order to study this book without the bias of preconceived opinions and beliefs, the student must be willing to put them aside for the time being and examine the book solely from the basisA correction was made in the October 24, 1908 Sentinel: "In the article by Capt. D. D. Baynes, which appeared in the Sentinel of Sept. 19 (page 48), the words 'examine-the book solely from the bias upon which it is written,' should have read, 'from the basis,' etc." upon which it is written. That the book is scientific will appear as it is seen that its basic idea permeates every statement therein, and that, when understood, no statement will be found to be inconsistent with this idea.
If the student can accept the basic idea, then he cannot honestly reject the book as unscientific unless he can prove that it also teaches what is inconsistent with that idea. Assuming that he is unable (as every sincere student has found) to prove any inconsistency, he must then proceed to consider whether its teachings accord with those of Holy Writ. He will probably find at first that previous concepts of the meaning of the Scriptures will assert themselves in conflict with that which Christian Science declares, but if he will again put these preconceptions on the shelf and study the Bible solely from the fresh viewpoint of Christian Science he will assuredly find the Scriptures indeed making him "wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus," to a degree he has not previously deemed possible.
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September 19, 1908 issue
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CRITICS AND CRITICISM
Frederick Dixon
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FACING ONE'S DIFFICULTIES
SAMUEL GREENWOOD.
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IMPERSONAL GIVING
FRANK H. SPRAGUE
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THE LAW OF SUPPLY
WALTER SHAW
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The question presented to every man is really this: To...
Rev. William P. McKenzie
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Christian Science is the practical demonstration of Christianity...
James D. Sherwood
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It is often thought by those who do not understand the...
Margaret Beecher White
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The opposition shown to Christian Science by professed...
Capt. D. D. Baynes in the Boston Times
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By eliminating sin from the individual consciousness and...
Nellie M. Johnson
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No Christian Scientist ever agreed to heal anybody
Bicknell Young in the Melboune (Australia) Herald
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Our critic declares that he hears nothing about the...
Alfred Farlow
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Far from "sweeping the entire universe of all material...
R. Stanhope Easterday
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MRS. EDDY TAKES NO PATIENTS
Editor
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"PERFECT LOVE CASTETH OUT FEAR"
Archibald McLellan
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SEEING
Annie M. Knott
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SEPARATE FROM SIN
John B. Willis
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LETTERS TO OUR LEADER
with contributions from Clifford P. Smith, Frances Prentice, Nancy Crane, Belle W. Stowe, Bert Poole, C. H. Fahnestock, Anna M. Campbell, Matt Russell
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AMONG THE CHURCHES
John L. Wright
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I desire to make acknowledgment through the Sentinel...
Caroline M. Hutchison
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Since my mother was healed of a severe illness some...
Maggie M. Mackenzie
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Christian Science has restored my health, and I consider...
Frau Marie Joeppritz-Troeltsch
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A little more than two years ago I first learned the...
Mabel Carr Warren
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After about ten years spent in bondage to severe headaches,...
H. Y. Sutherland
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In December, 1903, I was taken down with lung trouble...
John J. Payne
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I wish to express my gratitude for all that Christian Science...
Pearl L. Bradshaw
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It is almost six years since I came to Christian Science,...
Mary A. Denham
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My heart is filled with gratitude to God, and to our dear...
Maria C. Hansen
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I wish to express my gratitude for what Christian Science...
Helen Marie Blake
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THE BUILDERS
STELLA E. SAXTON
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FROM OUR EXCHANGES
with contributions from J. H. Jowett, W. C. E. Newbolt