Article April 24, 1915 Issue

In contradistinction to a blind belief in an absentee God,...

F. Elmo Robinson—Portland, Ore.

The Telegram

In contradistinction to a blind belief in an absentee God, a belief which has been tried for ages and found wanting, Mrs. Eddy has taught that "God is understandable, knowable, and applicable to every human need" (The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 238). Our Saviour said, "This is life eternal that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." Thus we see that Mrs. Eddy has taught, in conformity with the words of Christ Jesus, that God and His Christ may be known, understood. In order to distinguish this teaching from scholastic theology, which has made God and the Christ objects of a blind faith, she has designated it as Christian Science, Christian knowledge, or knowledge of the Christ.

Our critic reminds us that Christian Science is one of those "false systems" against which "the Bible warns us in at least fifty places." Our great Master gives us the rule by which we may test all religious teachers and their teachings. He said, "By their fruits ye shall know them," and "a good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit." Although Christian Science may not accord with the doctrinal beliefs of our critic, its fruits prove that it stands the Master's test. Christian Science does not offer, as an evidence of its Christlikeness, a doctrinal platform supported merely by "proof texts," but furnishes a multitude of living witnesses to its healing and regenerative power.

While its enemies are hurling at it their violent invectives, Christian Science moves among the suffering and sin-sick multitudes,—here breaking the shackles of vice and evil habit for one, and there lifting the burden of hopeless invalidism from another, and to all proclaiming, "The Lord God omnipotent reigneth." Today, of the Christ in Christian Science, it may well be said, as of old, "Many good works have I showed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?"

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