Article April 22, 1916 Issue

A Lutheran clergyman delivered an address in which he...

Thorwald Siegfried

Spokane (Wash.) Chronicle

A Lutheran clergyman delivered an address in which he seriously concluded that Christian Science is not entitled to the name "Christian." Your report credits the minister with a liberal use of the word dogma as applied to the teachings of the Bible and of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy. By definition of the word, any opinion, however false, that is firmly maintained, is a dogma; truth is not essential to constitute a dogma. The term is distinctly inapplicable to Christian teaching, for the simple reason that its teaching is, in the words of Jesus the Christ, "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." Reasoning from a dogmatic basis may, therefore, lead to a conclusion different from that to which we come when following the leadings of that infinite truth. The conflict between dogma and truth is a perpetual one.

In making the statement that Christian Science either ignores or denies the teaching of the Bible, the minister merely adopts this way of saying that he believes that the Bible teaches something which Christian Scientists have proved, to their own satisfaction at least, that it does not teach at all. For example, he says: "The Bible teaches that Christ died for our sins." Christian Scientists read in the Bible the glorious record of Jesus' resurrection, his appearance to and conversation with the disciples, and his ascension; and they know from the exalting experience of spiritual healing the truth of his own words, "Lo, I am with you alway." Quoting from Science and Health, we have Mrs. Eddy's statement, "The Sermon on the Mount is the essence of this Science, and the eternal life, not the death of Jesus, is its outcome" (p. 271).

No doubt our friends in other churches sincerely mean to observe and obey the precepts and practice of Christ Jesus, but mere good intentions are not sufficient. The question of fact still remains to be answered, "Are the works being done?" In that most scientifically accurate finale of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus himself sets the standard by which any one may determine whether the name "Christian" is properly applied: "He that doeth the will of my Father." "Whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man." "He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes."

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