Article June 16, 1917 Issue

An evangelist is reported as saying, "There is only one...

Lloyd B. Coate

Zanesville (Ohio) Signal

An evangelist is reported as saying, "There is only one class of people that deny sin is here—the Christian Scientists." Christian Science teaches that sin is not of God, and therefore has no right to be classified as real; nor does it express the nature and character of God, and for this reason should be denied and cast out of consciousness. Christian Scientists classify as real all that God creates, and as unreal all that seems to mortal sense to exist, yet is the very opposite of that Mind which was manifest in Christ Jesus. The man who does wrong and indulges in sin is being deceived, for sin is a delusion, being the opposite of infinite good. Faith in the reality of evil and sin will not save us. Jesus came to teach mankind to have faith in God, and that it is through the power of infinite good that he is to be saved.

Christian Scientists do not ignore the claim of sin and sickness, but deal with it in a Christianly scientific manner, as Jesus dealt with it. (See Science and Health, p. 460.) The sinner can receive no encouragement in Christian Science for wrong doing. Christian Science most emphatically teaches that so long as sin continues, suffering will continue. The sinner must repent, and turn away from the belief that sin is a reality and confers a pleasure. He must handle it as Jesus did,—as a lie and a liar,—and no longer be deceived by it, but find refuge in God, infinite good. (Note Science and Health, p. 339.)

This critic also makes the assertion that Mrs. Eddy's teaching does away with the atonement. In her text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mrs. Eddy devotes a chapter of thirty-eight pages to this question. On page 18 she says: "Atonement is the exemplification of man's unity with God, whereby man reflects divine Truth, Life, and Love. Jesus of Nazareth taught and demonstrated man's oneness with the Father, and for this we owe him endless homage. ... The atonement of Christ reconciles man to God, not God to man."

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