Editorial March 9, 1912 Issue

THE DENIAL OF CHRIST

Annie M. Knott

In three of the gospels, as well as in the first epistle of John, are to be found solemn warnings against denying Christ. In the twelfth chapter of Luke we read that the Master said: "He that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God." This is followed by the remarkable statement: "And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man [the human Jesus], it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven." It was by the Holy Ghost, the Comforter, that Jesus and his followers healed the sick, and a denial of this divine influence robs humanity of vital truth. In the second chapter of I John we read: "Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father," to which the apostle adds, "Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning."

There are few who would not admit that the present age is characterized to a large extent by doubt and uncertainty respecting much that at one time was unquestioningly believed. Men do not shrink as they once did from the appellation "agnostic"—even the word "atheist" is less offensive than it was at one time, for it is well known that a large majority of the doubters would be glad to know God could they but find Him through the bewildering maze of mortal belief. A story is told of a little girl who shocked her relatives by announcing herself an atheist, and on being asked the reason for this, said she did not believe in the devil. It was then explained to her that such a denial did not make one an atheist, but that a denial of God would, and the child was glad to believe in God.

Some years ago, students of Christian Science were quite often classed among unbelievers because their views respecting God and man differed from those of their critics. It was also charged that they did not believe in Christ, but this was far indeed from the truth, for while some of them had found it impossible to believe much that had been taught them in the past about Christ Jesus, they had in Christian Science gained a whole-hearted loyalty to him, and an unreserving acceptance of all his teachings. Many of those who are now Christian Scientists had grown up with a simple faith in Christ, but in an hour of dire need this faith was rudely shattered by some denial on the part of a religious teacher of their own denomination that they could be healed by the Christ-power. Much is said about the danger of reading the works of avowed atheists, but this can never have the slightest effect upon the one who has proved that Christ as "the power of God, and the wisdom of God" (I Cor. i, 24) is ever present to heal and to save. The one who has thus proved the divine power never doubts or denies any of the Scriptural statements concerning Christ Jesus, but declares boldly "before men" what Christ, as revealed anew in Christian Science, has done and is doing for him.

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THE DENIAL OF CHRIST

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