Editorial January 6, 1917 Issue

The Divine Idea

Annie M. Knott

Those unacquainted with Christian Science are sometimes at a loss to grasp the meaning of such phrases as "the divine idea" and "the Christ-idea." They have been accustomed to a large extent to think of the humanity of Jesus as confined to a certain epoch in human history, whereas students of Christian Science are taught to think of the Christ-idea that has been more or less clearly perceived by the spiritually minded in all ages. When the Christian Scientist speaks of the divine idea, his thought instinctively turns to the manifestation of this idea through Christ Jesus, who was, as Mrs. Eddy tells us on page 589 of Science and Health, "the highest human corporeal concept of the divine idea, rebuking and destroying error and bringing to light man's immortality." He would also know that this idea must be actually demonstrated by himself, for in this way alone could he furnish proof that he had grasped the intent of the apostle's inspired words, "Christ in you, the hope of glory."

It goes without saying that all Christian sects express belief in the human personality of Christ Jesus, but if their views respecting the nature and mission of the Christian are to be judged by their literature, these differ very widely; which would not be possible if all understood God and what St. John calls "his Christ." When Jesus came to the world the Hebrew people had long been looking for the promised Messiah, but their views were to a large extent material and they consequently expected one who would drive out the Roman power and establish a new and earthly kingdom after their own hearts. Their concept of a Messiah or Christ was therefore very far from being the divine idea, although Isaiah had in marvelous terms presented this idea to those of his day—only to be misunderstood by them, however.

Jesus' idea of the Christ was not a human concept. It was the reflection of the divine nature which was continually manifested by him. So far as we can judge by reading the gospels, the Master's disciples came very slowly to the understanding of the divine idea expressed by the great Teacher, and although Peter was quick to see and acknowledge the Christ as expressed through Jesus, even he more than once lost sight of this idea, until after the crucifixion, when there was no longer any wavering or uncertainty, but that sublime loyalty to Principle which knows no fear because it knows so well the inseparability of God and His idea.

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