The resurrection symbolizes to Christian Scientists the...

Baltimore (Md.) American

The resurrection symbolizes to Christian Scientists the overcoming of the belief in materiality through the understanding that the spiritual is the only real. As the individual thought becomes clearer and more purified through righteous living, this understanding develops until daily proofs strengthen the reliance upon the spiritual and show the instability and powerlessness of the material. Jesus proved beyond all question that he triumphed over the body through this understanding, and although the body appeared to be dead, he showed it afterward unchanged; yet he said to his disciples, "He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also," showing that this command over materiality was an example for us to follow, just as much as were his other works.

Mrs. Eddy says, "The efficacy of the crucifixion lay in the practical affection and goodness it demonstrated for mankind. The truth had been lived among men; but until they saw that it enabled their Master to triumph over the grave, his own disciples could not admit such an event to be possible. After the resurrection, even the unbelieving Thomas was forced to acknowledge how complete was the great proof of Truth and Love" (Science and Health, p. 24).

Orthodox religion teaches that after man dies his immortal soul is resurrected from his dead body; Christian Science teaches that our resurrection, the recognition of the image and likeness of God, should commence now. The putting off of "the old man" of error, sin, and disease will bring to light the real man, the immortal man. This regeneration is not accomplished in a day, and until we gain the Mind that was in Christ Jesus, it will be necessary to work out of the accumulation of centuries of false beliefs and fears before the true child of God is revealed in each of us.

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