Article April 3, 1909 Issue

CHRISTIANITY VS. THEOLOGY

JOHN E. FELLERS.

In one of the popular dictionaries we find this definition: "Christianity is the spirit manifested by Jesus in his life, and which he commanded his followers to imitate." The same authority gives this curious but interesting definition of theology: "A speaking concerning God," and following this definition, as an illustration of the meaning of the word, we find the statement: "Theology, properly and directly, deals with notional apprehension." The essence of these definitions is that Christianity is the truth about God and the universe as "manifested by Jesus," while theology is some one's notion or apprehension of that truth. One is the certainty, while the other is the guess. Following out this line of thought, we may say that Christianity shows how; theology tells how. Christianity is practice; theology is theory. Christianity is subject; theology is thesis. Christianity is science; theology is philosophy.

When Christianity speaks the oppressed take courage, and the face of the oppressor blanches with fear. To the established medical and theological creeds the healing Christianity as "manifested by Jesus" seems mockery, but to the suffering and sin-sick it is a balm. Before its benign influence sorrow gives place to joy and weakness gives place to strength. It alone serves for the removal of the world's woe. It insists that humanity cannot be absolutely well and happy so long as there lives on this earth one sick man or woman, and that sin will not be fully destroyed so long as it can find one person to advocate its claims. Christianity is the divine wonder to human sense, announced by the wise men of old; manifested by the star; taught by Christ Jesus, and demonstrated to this age by the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science.

It is recorded that in the hour of the Master's greatest trial, when condemned and betrayed by theology and creed, he calmly and resolutely stood for the truth which he had declared and demonstrated. Mary Baker Eddy has met the world's ingratitude with a smile. There is a serene and certain poise about her work that turns criticism into apology, inspires confidence, and makes sad hearts happy and calm. She is more than a physician in her ministry to the needs of a suffering race. She is its wise counselor and guide, patiently waiting for the frail present to yield its false standards to God's eternal forever. Christian Science has led humanity beyond the mystic midnight hour, far toward Truth's unending day.

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