Editorial October 5, 1912 Issue

REMISSION

Annie M. Knott

There are some who fail to understand the teaching of Christian Science relative to sin, and who therefore quarrel with their own misconceptions; but all honest seekers after truth soon discover that Christian Science declares sin and all discord to be unreal because God is not their author, and St. John emphatically states that "without him was not any thing made that was made." Nothing could be clearer on this point than the statement found in the tenets to which all who join the Christian Science church must subscribe, and which reads as follows: "We acknowledge God's forgiveness of sin in the destruction of sin and the spiritual understanding that casts out evil as unreal. But the belief in sin is punished so long as the belief lasts" (Science and Health, p. 497). Here it should be understood that the one who in any wise continues in sin, does so because to his belief sin is real, it gives pleasure, and has power to sway the will, even where suffering is seen to be inevitable.

The Christian Science worker is, however, far more concerned for the one who is struggling with the belief that sin can hold him as an unwilling victim in the fetters of past deeds or appetites than he is about the critic or caviller. Long ages ago the command was given through the prophet Isaiah "to loose the bands of wickedness, ... and that ye break every yoke;" obedience to which command is bringing wonderful results in the healing ministry of Christian Science. In the New Testament there are many references to the overcoming or remission of sins as related to the work of Christ Jesus, and it may be remembered that the Pharisees objected to Jesus' words on this subject on the same ground that critics of Christian Science object to its statement that sin is unreal. The Pharisees thought that the Master made light of sin when he said: "Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk?" The proof of the remission of sin is made clear when we read that the paralyzed man rose, took up his bed, "and departed to his own house, glorifying God."

In the epistle to the Hebrews (10th chapter) is a wonderful treatment of the subject of remission of sin which is in entire accord with the teaching of Christian Science. It tells of "a new and living way" from which we must never draw back, from which we never can draw back when the law of God is written upon our hearts and minds, and we delight to do God's will. The entire obliteration of evil is revealed in the statement: "Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more." Does not this establish the truth that in the purified human consciousness God beholds His own reflection, the man of His creating, born of Spirit, who is never sick, sinful, or sorrowful? In this chapter we are further told that "by one offering he [the Christ-man] hath perfected forever them that are sanctified. Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us." In Science and Health (p. 43) we read of the descent of the Holy Ghost as the "influx of divine Science;" and this undoubtedly witnesses ever to the ideal man upon whose consciousness the law of God is indelibly written, who in following Christ has made of his enemies, all mortal beliefs, "his footstool," and who therefore expresses the perfection of his divine Principle, God.

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