Article December 29, 1917 Issue

A recent issue reports a clergyman as condemning Christian Science...

Lloyd B. Coate

Canton (Ohio) News

A recent issue reports a clergyman as condemning Christian Science as heresy. There was a time when heresy was considered a crime in most European countries and was punishable by law. Punishment for heresy was common in medieval times and was practiced by the first colonists in America. To the Roman Catholic any teaching contrary to the teaching of his church would be heresy; to the Protestant any opinion contrary to the accepted interpretation of the Scripture is a heresy. Does not this show the need of exercising charity rather than condemning others? Even the apostle Paul was called a heretic. He says, "But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets."

This critic condemns Christian Science as heresy because its followers believe God to be divine Principle. When Christian Scientists use the term divine Principle for God, they mean identically the same as Jesus taught when he prayed to "our Father which art in heaven." If this critic believes God to be a big, corporeal man, then Christian Science differs from such a concept of God. Christian Scientists adopt Jesus' definition of God as "Spirit," and believe that He can only be worshiped "in spirit and in truth," as the Master taught. They also accept John's definition of God as Love.

Hundreds of thousands of men and women throughout our land, and in other lands, have been healed of disease through Christian Science. Among the number may be included ministers, physicians, judges, attorneys, business men, and many in the common walks of life. While the physical healing or relief from suffering is not a thing to be despised, yet the spiritual awakening that Christian Science brings is that which is most highly valued. Christian Science is reclaiming the infidel and reforming the drunkard; it increases one's faith in God; it arouses an interest in and love for the Bible; it awakens a greater desire to follow in the footsteps of Christ Jesus. The great Master taught that judgment should be rendered according to the fruit the tree yields. A teaching that is leading mankind to Christianity cannot be opposed thereto.

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