Article July 5, 1913 Issue

The critic accuses Christian Scientists of being "determinists,"...

John W. Doorly

Salford (England) Reporter

The critic accuses Christian Scientists of being "determinists," and of believing that the human body is a myth. If to understand that there is no law but God's law, "the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus," which makes "free from the law of sin and death" (but does not bind men with false laws of heredity, etc., as our critic states), is to be a determinist, then Christian Scientists certainly are determinists in this sense, for they have determined not to know or acknowledge any power but the power of Spirit, the power of God, and not to recognize any effect but the effect of that one infinite cause, which effect must be perfect and spiritual. This kind of determinism is hardly to be condemned by a Christian preacher unless he is prepared to condemn his Master's teachings. Of course, Christian Science has nothing at all in common with what is popularly known as determinism, but is as far apart from it as are the two poles.

The teachings of Christian Science show clearly that through a right appreciation of true being, of that which is the will of God, we can in every case correct the discords of material sense; for whatever is true is affirmative, and is based on law and power. Christian Science teaches that the real man has a perfect, indestructible being, and is forever in the image and likeness of Mind; that he is not fallen, and never can be, since he is the expression of infinite perfection; and through this understanding of God's immutable law, Christian Science dispels the false or mortal sense of man, just as light dispels darkness, and it does not matter whether this darkness be sin or disease; in fact, it shows that our Saviour's statement, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect," was a scientific statement, to be demonstrated at that time and forever.

As long, therefore, as the critic continues his erroneous statements about Christian Science, so long will he urge on honest people to investigate what Christian Science really is. Today the Christian Science movement has so many witnesses of its ability to demonstrate Christianity, both in healing the sick and in saving the sinner, that his diatribes against it are rather apt to fall flat. Men and women demand addresses that uplift and strengthen them for their daily lives, and not abuse of another's religion, and our clerical friend would add much to the good he has already accomplished if he would give more time to constructive Christianity and less to destructive criticism.

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The critic accuses Christian Scientists of being "determinists,"...

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