Article June 28, 1913 Issue

Christian Science is essentially a religion

Royal D. Stearns

Cozad (Neb.) Local

Christian Science is essentially a religion. It is founded solely upon the Bible and the works and teachings of Christ Jesus. It is the restoration of primitive Christianity. Christian Scientists are obeying the commands of Jesus, to go into all the world, and not only preach the gospel, but heal the sick, and thereby are reestablishing the healing work of the primitive church. History assures us that the healing of the sick was a part of the regular church ministry for three hundred years after the ascension of Christ, and that the dead were raised during the first and second centuries. What does it mean to have a science? It is well understood that a science implies classified understanding; it requires a law, which must be presented in its unity, order, and system. This is precisely what Christian Science does. It presents this divine law in its unity, order, and system with such precision and certainty that Christian healing prevalis by way of proof. It is therefore eminently scientific; moreover it is Christian, because this law is not physical, but divine, compassionate, and helpful.

Every one who concerns himself with religious affairs would enjoy having the power of good that Jesus had; every one would be glad to understand the divine law well enough to heal and reform men as did primitive Christians. That Christian Science does conform strictly with the gospel is shown from the great success that comes to its adherents in healing the sick and in reforming the sinner. Indeed its scientific value rests upon fact, for there is no doubt that Jesus taught the truth, since all scientists and philosophers have agreed that his gospel is of the highest ethical value, that it is indeed eternally true. Being true, it must be scientific, since nothing could be more scientific than that which is forever true.

Your critic claims that Christian Science teaches that "God is not a person." Your critic has not stated what kind of person he thinks God is. Does he think God is a corporeal being? Mrs. Eddy says in her 1901 Message to The Mother Church: "We understand that God is personal in a scientific sense, but is not corporeal." "We believe, according to the Scriptures, that God is infinite Spirit or Person, and man is His image and likeness" (pp. 4, 5). As the spiritual sense is gained, it is learned that Christian Science gives out the idea of God which is demonstrable and at the same time in harmony with the grandest and purest conception of being. It is the human limited sense of personality which is denied in Christian Science.

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