Article November 30, 1912 Issue

"ARROGANCE OF LEARNING"

H. E. MC MEEL.

IN speaking to a student of Christian Science about the reluctance of a mutual friend to take up a study of the text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," these words were used: "He retards his own progress through the arrogance of learning." Thinking over this form of opposition to the teachings of Christian Science, the writer is compelled to return thanks that this wonderful truth was first presented to him in such a manner that a study of the text-book was taken up without any prejudice. The lack of scholarly gifts which had previously been deplored has since been a matter for gratitude, for it enabled him to accept Christian Science in all its glorious simplicity.

Later more light was obtained on this point, upon looking at an engraving in a Christian Science reading-room which portrays the incident of Jesus disputing with the rabbis in the temple. The artist has delineated the features of these old savants in varying states of astonishment, unbelief, and no doubt disgust that a mere boy should attempt in his simple manner to question their learned interpretations of Holy Writ. Their lives had been devoted to educating the people by theological methods, and here was a boy attempting to throw their interpretations to the winds! They had not allowed for revealed truth being stronger than doctrine.

Today the same scene is frequently before us. The Scriptures, illumined by our Leader's writings, give to us some idea of what Jesus taught, and help us to understand the Master's sayings, but Christian Science is sometimes denounced by pulpit and by press, for the reason that creeds, dogmas, and years of superstition and fear have dimmed the vision of our teachers of today, and mere theories lead into darkness instead of out into the light.

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