Article September 6, 1913 Issue

Man and His Dominion

ALBERT L. MC BRIDE

The first Bible statement about man is not qualified or uncertain, but definite. Man is created in the image and likeness of God. The purpose of his being is also stated as definitely. He shall have dominion over all animality and over all the earth. This is an eternal truth about God's man and his estate. The New Testament names him heir, describes him in unmistakable terms, and leaves no doubt as to his heritage. "Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world," said Jesus, whose words and works were of practical application to immediate needs. Saith the Scriptures, "Beloved, now are we the sons of God." Paul tells us that we are "heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ." Isaiah refers to man's dominion over animality and to the terms of its accomplishment, when he writes, "The wolf ... shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them." He perceived that this would be established when the earth shall be filled with "the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea." The knowing of this as true here and now, of man and for individual, because it is an eternal, unchanging truth of universal application, is the Christian Scientist's view. When it is so accepted, in the innocency and purity of the child-thought, man's possession of his divine heritage is no longer a mythical promise of uncertain fulfilment; it becomes to him an actual possession.

The study of the Christian Science text-book is leading men up to the knowledge of God, and through that right knowing, to conscious possession of man's divine heritage. Mrs. Eddy perceived mankind's need of the knowledge of God which brings to men this consciousness of possession. It is the truth about Truth that characterizes her work as Science, and which, understood, brings the consciousness of dominion to man. The unfolding of Scripture as the study proceeds, gives the student the key to its treasures. The health, the harmonious sense of dominion over animality of thought, within and without, adds aptness to the title of her great work, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures."

Increasing knowledge of God gives a clearer perception of the unity of God. We read that "the Lord our God is one Lord;" also, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me." The image of God must bear likeness to God in its oneness. There is no duplicity in the nature of this image and likeness of God. Man is not in bondage to animality, the slave of sensuousness, over which he shall sometime gain dominion. He is now what God creates him, and in possession of his kingdom of dominion. Centuries of ignorant belief that the earth was flat and stationary did not make it that shape or interfere with its regularity of rotation and revolution, nor did the change of belief change its shape or alter its motions. Principle is not altered by any change of belief. So the mortal belief that man is less than God makes him to be, in nature and in the scope of his heritage, can never change the immutable, scientific truth. Man is the likeness of God, created to exercise dominion over all the earth. There are no other gods after whom another man could have been likened, hence confusion upon this subject is not possible. "Fear not, little flock; for it is the Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom," said Jesus. The prayer he gave affirms God's kingdom come; His will done. Human will is powerless to obstruct or pervert the divine will. A little child shall lead to the peaceful perception that there shall nothing hurt or destroy.

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

Man and His Dominion

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access