Article February 13, 1915 Issue

Blind Faith versus Understanding

CORA F. COLLISON

Apart from the teachings of Christian Science, any instance of healing without the use of material means is ordinarily looked upon as a "miracle." It is believed that something strange and marvelous has occurred, that God has heard and answered prayer. It is thought that He has for once set aside His own law. No one understands why this is so, for to the unenlightened the prayer of faith is a mystery. Blind faith is not unlike a lottery, where one takes a chance and may win a prize.

We learn in Christian Science that the healing of the sick is not a strange or mysterious happening, but simply the fulfilment of divine law. Jesus understood the law of God so well that it was as natural and easy for him to heal the sick as it is for us to turn on an electric light, though to one who did not understand the latter process it would seem a miracle. Mrs. Eddy was once healed in what seemed a miraculous manner; then she devoted several years to prayer and to study of the Bible, finally discovering that it was through the ever-operative law of divine Mind that she had been healed. This law has always existed, but because it was not understood it was not believed to be available. Electricity existed thousands of years ago, but ignorance prevented it from being used. So ignorance, fear, and superstition have blinded mortals and kept them in darkness and bondage to the so-called laws of sin, sickness, and death. God's law is a law of health and holiness (wholeness); when understood, it annuls the asserted laws which mortals have made for themselves. Through the study of the Bible in connection with our text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, faith ripens into understanding, and in time we shall be entirely freed from the wrong thoughts and habits that for so many ages have bound mankind.

The Bible says that in God "we live, and move, and have our being," and in Science and Health we read that "man, being immortal, has a perfect indestructible life." Also, that "whatever is governed by God, is never for an instant deprived of the light and might of intelligence and Life" (pp. 209, 215). In the first chapter of Genesis we learn that God made man in His image and likeness, and since God is Spirit, it must follow that man in His image and likeness must be spiritual and immortal. This is one of the fundamental teachings of Christian Science. Jesus knew this so well that no material evidence to the contrary could deceive him. His knowledge of the truth concerning God and the law of Life brought man's real identity to light. Jesus never submitted to mortal decress; he rose above all mortal laws and man-made doctrines, because his faith was enlightened by spiritual understanding. A clear, spiritual realization of the truth must always bring an answer to prayer.

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