Article October 20, 1917 Issue

Christian Science does not undervalue or minimize the...

Henry Van Arsdale

Long Beach (Cal.) Press

Christian Science does not undervalue or minimize the redemptive and healing work of Jesus as exemplified in his sacrifice on the cross, as was stated in an account of a sermon delivered before the Christian church convention a few days ago. On the contrary, Mrs. Eddy's writings contain innumerable references to the crucifixion, and of the six brief tenets of the Christian Science church two are devoted to the experience on the cross and the widespread results to humanity of that "intense human sacrifice" (Science and Health, p. 54).

The clergyman quoted one sentence from a paragraph on page 25 of Mrs. Eddy's book "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," but omitted the opening and closing sentences of the same paragraph, which are as follows: "The spiritual essence of blood is sacrifice. The efficacy of Jesus' spiritual offering is infinitely greater than can be expressed by our sense of human blood. . . . His true flesh and blood were his Life; and they truly eat his flesh and drink his blood, who partake of that divine Life." Christian Science rationally explains the atoning work of Jesus as expressed in his life and in his crucifixion. It teaches that it is man who needs to be reconciled to God, not the loving Father to His children.

In the sermon, reference was made to Hebrews ix. 22, to the effect that there is no remission of sin without the shedding of blood. Throughout the Old Testament blood is used as a symbol of sacrifice, and the writer in Hebrews so used it, as will be observed from the context. It is so used in Christian Science. This is fully explained in "No and Yes," where, beginning on page 33, Mrs. Eddy devotes nearly six pages to the preeminent sacrifice of Jesus. Had the clergyman read this he would not have made the statements credited to him. It may be well to call attention to the fact that the Bible also teaches that "remission of sin" is possible through repentance and through reliance on Christ Jesus.

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