Article March 4, 1916 Issue

It is true that healing through the reading of Christian Science...

Peter B. Biggins—Calgary, Alberta, Canada

The Western Standard

It is true that healing through the reading of Christian Science literature is of frequent occurrence. This healing results not from blind faith, but, as your article states, from "getting true understanding." The Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, teaches and explains clearly the power of God to heal every ill. It makes clear the Scriptural teaching that God is Spirit, Love, Truth, and Life; that He is ever present and all powerful; that all things are possible to Him; that the real, spiritual man is made in the image and likeness of God, and is therefore perfect and harmonious. The clear understanding of these facts raises the human consciousness from the contemplation of man as material, born to sin, to be sick, and to die, and as the result of this uplifted spiritual understanding healing is natural and spontaneous. This healing takes place not only in the case of nervous and functional disorders, but also in the case of diseases termed organic, including those which are commonly considered incurable.

Thus healing resulting from spiritual understanding, as in Christian Science, is vastly different from a cure based on blind faith. The operation of blind faith is practically the same, whether this faith relies on a visit to a shrine or to a mineral bath, on contact with a relic, the knife of a surgeon, or swallowing a potion. In all of these instances the result is due to a "strong impression" made on the human mind by an expectation of health. If, however, the human mind can be influenced by an impression or belief of health, it can also be affected as readily by an opposite belief. Thus so long as health depends upon mere belief or blind faith, health is very uncertain. In Christian Science healing the human mind yields to the Mind of Christ, and thus health and harmony are based upon a firm spiritual foundation.

Healing in Christian Science is not miraculous, as this word is generally used. The term miracle is commonly employed to denote a departure from the uniform operation of God's law. In Christian Science it is clearly seen that God is unchanging Love, which is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Similarly God's law is unchanging and constant in its operation for the welfare of His children. Healing as Christ Jesus practised it, and as it is practised in Christian Science, is the result of the utilization of the unchanging law of God, not a deviation from it. A deviation from a law which is unchanging is obviously impossible, although theologians have long been blind to this self-evident truth. The works of the Master commonly called "miracles" were simply "signs"—signs which he himself said "shall follow them that believe," that is, spiritually understand, his teaching and practice of God's law.

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

It is true that healing through the reading of Christian Science...

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access