Article May 9, 1914 Issue

The author of a sermon quoted in a recent issue declares...

Frank Bell—Scranton, Pa.

The Truth

The author of a sermon quoted in a recent issue declares that he disapproves of Christian Science, and he then proceeds to describe the object of his disapproval in terms which show that it is not Christian Science to which he objects, but his own mistaken impression of it. If Christian Science taught that matter is unreal or non-existent to the physical senses, or that mortals are immune from sin and sickness, as our friend professes to believe, he might add considerably to his array of deprecatory adjectives and still be fairly conservative in his denunciation; but, as every one knows who understands the subject, there is no such teaching in Christian Science.

Nowhere in the literature of Christian Science are there statements more radical with regard to matter than those of the Founder of Christianity, who said, "Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink," and, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect;" and who yet found sickness to be healed, sin to be overcome, and material food to be provided. The assertions in the Christian Science text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," concerning the essential unreality of matter and its conditions, relate to spiritual life and not to the phenomena of so-called physical existence. Mountains are as high, oceans as broad, and skies as blue to the consistent Christian Scientist as to any one else. But the Christian Scientist is better instructed than some others in the knowledge that his real life is not in materiality, and that he is not required to wait until he is dead to acquire some apprehension of his true spiritual selfhood.

Our friend is no less mistaken as to other phases of the subject. He seems to think Christian Science denies that "Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God;" yet the tenets of the Christian Science church, to which all members subscribe, include such statements as these: "We acknowledge and adore one supreme and infinite God. We acknowledge His Son, one Christ ... We acknowledge Jesus' atonement as the evidence of divine, efficacious Love, unfolding man's unity with God through Christ Jesus, the Wayshower. ... And we solemnly promise to watch, and pray for that Mind to be in us which was also in Christ Jesus" (Science and Health, p. 497). Any one who says Christian Science teaches that prayer is idle, proclaims his inability to speak of Christian Science at all.

Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.

Send a comment to the editors
NEXT IN THIS ISSUE
Article
The Rev. Mr. — is quoted in a recent issue as stating...
May 9, 1914
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit