Article January 1, 1916 Issue

The question of private interpretation of the Scriptures...

S. T. Downs

La Porte (Ind.) Herald

The question of private interpretation of the Scriptures calls forth much human opinion which is not debatable, but in Mrs. Eddy's explanation of the Bible she in no way violates the command given each of us: "Work out your own salvation." Her book "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" simply sets forth the spiritual import of the Word. Our critic says, among other things, that Christian Science is pantheism, but pantheism teaches there is life in matter, that matter expresses God, and God and matter coexist. Christian Science, on the other hand, teaches that "God is incorporeal, divine, supreme, infinite Mind, Spirit, Soul, Principle, Life, Truth, Love," and further, that"there is no life, truth, intelligence, nor substance in matter. All is infinite Mind and its infinite manifestation" (Science and Health, pp. 465, 468).

Our brother said very positively that in Christian Science "the divinity of the Christ is absolutely denied." Christian Science, on the contrary, declares the Christ to be eternal, divine,— "the divine manifestation of God, which comes tothe flesh to destroy incarnate error" (Science and Health, p. 583). But Christian Science uses the term Jesus to designate the physical, and to distinguish it from the Christ, "the divine manifestation." In declaring that Jesus was not God, Christian Science is but following the Master's example, since he specifically taught this great fact. For instance: "Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God." At another time he said, "The Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works." The Scriptural record of his ministry shows how he reiterated this teaching in many ways.

Mrs. Eddy never said, in referring to the text-book, that "we may not hope to fathom its meaning," as the critic stated, although one cannot hope to learn Christian Science by merely reading Science and Health. In answer to the question, "How can I progress most rapidly in the understanding of Christian Science?" Mrs. Eddy says on page 495 of this book: "Study thoroughly the letter and imbibe the spirit. Adhere to the divine Principle of Christian Science and follow the behests of God, abiding steadfastly in wisdom, Truth, and Love." In her Message for 1900 (p. 2) she tells plainly how to gain this understanding in these very significant words: "The song of Christian Science is, 'Work—work—work—watch and pray.' "

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