Article March 8, 1913 Issue

UNDERSTANDING VERSUS BELIEF

WALTER SHAW.

The entire trend of the teaching in Christian Science is toward the acquirement of definite understanding in contradistinction to mere belief upon any given topic. Every moderately educated individual desires to further his knowledge, and should welcome a system of thoughtful reasoning which will accomplish this end. Especially should this be the case in regard to the most important subject, namely, the truth relating to God and man. Christ Jesus, the greatest teacher and demonstrator of Truth that the world has ever seen, said, "This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." A knowledge of God implies knowledge relating to the source, cause, and origin of all that truly exists. A knowledge of man, in the light of Christian Science, means acquaintance with man as created in the likeness of God, as related in the first chapter of Genesis, in contrast to the dust man or Adam race generally accepted as of divine creation.

Our work as students of Christian Science consists in the acquirement of a clear and definite understanding upon the essential basis of Christian Science teaching, in order that dominant beliefs—religious, philosophic, or general—may in no wise affect us, because our grasp of the truth of being is clearly assured. It is obvious that an understanding of Truth being greater than any mere belief, must eventually govern such belief, and ultimately annihilate it. Proofs rather than assertion should be our constant aim; and if we are loyally striving to overcome all that seems to contradict this view in the varied problems of life, "we shall reap, if we faint not."

Human will-power is no part of Christian Science; but this does not mean that we should be satisfied with a merely acquiescent acceptance of its teaching, and not make a firm, determined effort to prove what our highest reason tells us is essentially real and true. When Christ Jesus said, "Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able," it seems to imply that he knew a mighty human struggle was requisite in order to acquire a clear, positive sense of the reality of the truth he taught. If seeking had been sufficient, so many of his disciples would not have dropped off; therefore in our study of Truth we should rest content with nothing short of progressive demonstration.

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"THAT HE MAY RUN."
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