Article July 31, 1915 Issue

It is well known that a considerable number of Jews have...

Judge Clifford P. Smith

Portland (Ore.) Jewish Tribune

It is well known that a considerable number of Jews have become Christian Scientists. Quite naturally, therefore, the relation of Christian Science to Judaism has been discussed by other Jews; and there is no reason why the editors of Jewish periodicals who believe that a Jew cannot consistently adopt Christian Science, should not express this belief and give their reasons for it. Such an opinion, of course, would be weighty or otherwise, according to the nature of the reasons offered for its support. To be of any value at all, it would need to come from some one who had read the Jewish Scriptures and the authorized literature of Christian Science with a certain degree of fairness, appreciation, and insight. It is a very significant fact, therefore, that the editors of Jewish periodicals who have stepped in between their readers and Christian Science, have seldom shown any considerable apprehension of this subject. As a whole, their editorials have not been accompanied by veritable reasons. In most cases they have not dealt with actual Christian Science at all.

An instance within the scope of these observations is furnished by a recent editorial in The Jewish Tribune. It was based on the very opposite of what Christian Science teaches. Christian Scientists have not "changed the God of Israel with Jesus." Many Christians regard Jesus as God, but Scientists do not, although they accept his teachings in full. When a scribe asked, "Which is the first commandment of all?" the answer which Jesus gave included the words, "Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord," and the scribe's reply, which Jesus expressly approved, included the words, "There is one God; and there is none other but he." Again the Master said, "Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God." And Jesus plainly said to them that he was "a man that hath told you the truth." Conversing with a Samaritan woman who said, "I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ," Jesus replied, "I that speak unto thee am he." The office of the Christ is, of course, to liberate or deliver, to heal and to save. Beyond all questions respecting ways and means, this is the teaching of both the Jewish and the Christian Scriptures. So Jesus was rightly entitled the Christ, because of what he did for the welfare of mankind.

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