Editorial October 20, 1917 Issue

Spiritual Interpretation

Annie M. Knott

Christian Scientists are very earnest students of the Bible, — none more so, — and if they ever become puzzled over the meaning of passages which appear in the Lesson-Sermons or which are found in their regular study of the Bible, it is only because they have accepted to a certain extent the views of those who are accustomed to interpret Scripture largely from the standpoint of material sense. The spiritual interpretation which is of real value is that which comes naturally in the ratio of one's growth in the understanding of God and His law, and through the application of the truth to all human conditions, whether individual or collective.

At the present hour, in the midst of the great world struggle, as it would seem, Paul's words to the Thessalonians are deeply significant: "The mystery of iniquity doth already work." In connection with this we find a statement regarding the "man of sin," "the son of perdition." Many have been the attempts of religious people, past and present, to interpret the statements in this epistle, and also in the book of Revelation, from a personal and local standpoint, and the result of such interpretation must necessarily be a growing tendency to make error real, to give it power; and this of course is the very thing that error would have us do.

The tendency of the human mind in all ages has been the same. The human intellect has sought and many times found channels for the exaltation of its mortal concept of selfhood, and so there has been personal domination disguised as an angel of light. Respecting this personification of belief in a mind separate from God, appearing in the book of Genesis under the name of Adam, our revered Leader says, "He begins his reign over man somewhat mildly, but he increases in falsehood and his days become shorter" (Science and Health, p. 529). From the human viewpoint this aggressive phase of error intensifies its claims and extends its demands; and this fact was recognized by Paul when he said in the chapter already quoted that the mortal personification "opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped;" but we are assured that whatever be the manifestation of error, it will be destroyed by Truth, and the intensely metaphysical statement of the apostle is that the error will be "revealed," or uncovered, and then follows this verdict of Truth respecting personified evil: "whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming." The power of the Word is here presented, as it is again in Revelation, and the student of Christian Science will readily grasp the fact that the "brightness" of the divine appearing will dispel all darkness and annihilate the shadows which hide therein.

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

Spiritual Interpretation

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access