Article November 20, 1915 Issue

A signed article in The Journal misinterprets the attitude...

W. D. Kilpatrick—Detroit, Mich.

The Journal,

A signed article in The Journal misinterprets the attitude of Christian Science on the subject of atonement. Without going into detail, I would say that the subject of atonement is a broad one, and one concerning which theologians have ever differed. It is also a subject which cannot receive just consideration in a brief newspaper article. Suffice it to say, however, that Mrs. Eddy's explanation of atonement is in strict accord at every point with the Scriptures, and chapters nine and ten of Hebrews probably explain her view as well as any part of the Bible to which I could refer.

The quotation of the critic from page 23 of Science and Health, if taken into consideration with the context, in no wise contradicts the quotation referred to from page 497 of that book. The passage from page 23 reads as follows: "Wisdom and Love may require many sacrifices of self tosave us from sin. One sacrifice, however great, is insufficient to pay the debt of sin. The atonement requires constant selfimmolation on the sacrifice on our part." Would the critic imply that one sacrifice on our part is sufficient to relieve us of all sin? And would he also imply that the sacrifices or atonement of Jesus relieved the world of sin? If so, how does he account for this sin-laden universe?

The Scriptures make it very plain that the mission of Jesus was that of the Wayshower and Exemplar, and his triumphs over sin, sickness, and death were in exemplification of his unity with the Father, and were for the guidance of all mankind. The efficacy of Jesus' mission is not found so much in his bitter experiences as in his complete mastery of every adverse situation and the overcoming of all the conditions of death and the grave in showing mankind the way to salvation through Christ, Truth. He taught that the truth makes men free, and it was in explanation thereof that it became necessary for him to prove the truth of the statement, that mankind might follow his example.

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