Article April 14, 1917 Issue

The local pastor who is delivering a series of sermons on...

Robert S. Ross

Auburn (N. Y.) Citizen

The local pastor who is delivering a series of sermons on healing by mental means is entitled to encouragement for his progressive stand. His references to Christian Science, however, call for a few corrections. Evidently he does not understand that the Christianity taught by Jesus of Nazareth and the Christianity taught in the Christian Science text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, are identical. This is a fact that can be demonstrated by any sincere student, however; and it must be understood before one can arrive at a correct conclusion regarding Christian Science. Believing that Christian Science has a bad side is like believing that Christianity has its bad side; but it is as impossible for good to have an evil side as for light to have a dark side. If one could suffer from relying too implicitly on Christian Science, one could suffer also from relying too implicitly on God, Truth, for Christianity is the Science of God.

The pastor would have his hearers believe that God is omnipotent on some occasions but helpless on others; that it is safe to rely on Him when an ailment is not serious, but dangerous to rely on Him when an ailment is serious. Such reasoning leads to the conclusion that a doctor's prescription or a surgeon's knife is sometimes more to be trusted than God. Christian Science declares that unless God, divine Love, is omnipotent and omnipresent all the time, He is not omnipotent and omnipresent any of the time. If God is omnipotent and omnipresent, it makes no difference whether the illness be in a child or an adult, chronic or acute, it must disappear before the realization that evil can have no place, since all space is filled with goodness.

A student may believe in mathematics, but in order to demonstrate the mathematical rule he must understand it. Likewise, a student may believe in God, but in order to demonstrate the divine law he must understand it. Science and Health gives this understanding, and explains why its students are more willing to rely upon Christian Science under all circumstances than upon material methods.

Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.

Send a comment to the editors
NEXT IN THIS ISSUE
Editorial
Duty and Privilege
April 14, 1917
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit