Article January 4, 1913 Issue

The supposition of our critic that Christian Scientists do...

James D. Sherwood

San Antonio (Texas) Express

The supposition of our critic that Christian Scientists do not believe in the Bible is proved erroneous when it is known that no body of Christian people makes a closer daily study of the Bible than do the Christian Scientists. Other denominations have their commentaries as aids in the study of the Bible; and the Christian Scientist has his, namely, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy; and if the Christian Scientist is able to make proof of the correctness of the spiritual interpretation of the Bible, as given in the Christian Science text-book, if he is able to heal the sick and to reform the sinner by following faithfully the rules laid down in that book, rules based upon the teachings and practise of Christ Jesus, he has the witness that the Master required as the test of discipleship. St. James said: "Faith, if it hath not works, is dead;" and he followed up that statement by adding: "Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works." The healing that accompanies Christian Science practise is the very best argument for its rightful claims.

The Bible is an oriental book; its teaching is illustrated by means of metaphor and parable. This was the common method in the East. When Christ Jesus said: "Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life," he certainly did not mean his material flesh and blood, else that plan of salvation would be impossible of attainment after his resurrection, for where on earth can there be found today a drop of his blood? It is quite evident that he meant his life must be spiritually assimilated by his followers, and that salvation was dependent upon one's ability to do the work that he did while he sojourned with men. Every individual must, some day, so comprehend the teaching and the works of the Master as to be able to reform the sinner and heal the sick by spiritual means only. Thus doing he will find the path which leads out of sense and into Soul. He will be able to demonstrate the plan of salvation marked out by Christ Jesus.

Christian Science teaching does not disregard the belief in sin. It declares that sin is not the work of God, since God is the only creator, and His works were pronounced by Him to be "very good." It teaches that sin, being evil, has no legitimate demands upon man, and that sin can be resisted, overcome, demolished, and thus proved to be unreal. On well-nigh every page of Science and Health it is shown that the practise of sin is accompanied by certain punishment, and that this suffering will continue until the practise of sin is abandoned. "While there's sin there's doom." "Does not Science show that sin brings suffering as much today as yesterday? They who sin must suffer" (pp. 40, 37). The belief in a power apart from God breaks the first commandment, and that is sin. Who, then, among the children of men is free from sin?

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