Article September 26, 1908 Issue

Our reverend critic has a very mistaken sense of the...

James D. Sherwood

Beaumont (Texas) Enterprise

Our reverend critic has a very mistaken sense of the Christian Scientist's views concerning sin. The Christian Scientist goes farther, perhaps, than does our critic in defining sin, but he believes that sin can be overcome and its powerlessness be proved. The possibility of overcoming all sin is indicated by the Scriptural promise, "He that over-cometh shall inherit all things," and when a man has overcome "the world, the flesh, and the devil" (evil), he has proved the unreality of evil by destroying its claims.

Christian Science does not ignore sin, but it declares that sin is no part of God's creation, and He made all things, and all that God made was pronounced by Him "very good." Sin is temporal. It is unreal, a factor of the dream of life in matter. Sin exists in erring mortal experience, and must be grappled with and overcome through the power of God. Christian Science teaches that there is no abiding pleasure in the practice of sin, and this enables the sinner to cease sinning and to get the victory over sin; thus he comes to know that he has been serving an unreal master, and is encouraged to resist sin, and in persisting against it he foresees its end.

Christ Jesus said of Satan, "He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it." Here the Master declares the unreality of the works of the devil, and we know that God is not the author of sin. By understanding sin to be no part of God's perfect creation, and by accepting God as the only creator, the Christian Scientist understands the unreality of sin. He does not ignore sin; but, knowing its unreality, he becomes able to overcome sin in the way our Master pointed out. Said Paul, "Overcome evil with good."

Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.

Send a comment to the editors
NEXT IN THIS ISSUE
Article
The headline, "Church's Duty not Healing of Body," in...
September 26, 1908
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit