Editorial October 19, 1918 Issue

Believing the Bible Messages

William P. McKenzie

One who was a churchgoing Christian, on meeting a Christian Scientist, began to discuss the prevalent epidemic concerning which there was much fear, and said, I suppose you Christian Scientists will stand steadfast in these troublous times. The Christian Scientist did not make an immediate reply, so the question was put, You are a Christian Scientist, are you not? What do you do? The Christian Scientist said, The Bible tells us not to be afraid of sudden fear. But how do you do that? asked the questioner. What is the difference between your way and our way? Well, said the Christian Scientist, it seems to be this, that you read the Bible and do not believe it, while we do believe it. Taken aback for a moment, the Christian woman, as if moralizing, finally said, How true that is! Mrs. Eddy has described exactly the standpoint and activity of the Christian Scientist when she says (Miscellany, p. 116), "At a time of contagious disease, Christian Scientists endeavor to rise in consciousness to the true sense of the omnipotence of Life, Truth, and Love, and this great fact in Christian Science realized will stop a contagion."

Writing a commentary upon the ninety-first psalm, an honored principal of a theological college discussed the verse which says, "There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling," somewhat as follows. He argued that a disease or a plague was no respecter of persons, that the Christian had no assurance of protection from either, that infection and pestilence were unavoidable; hence that the statement cannot be taken as having literal or practical application. Nevertheless, as it must be true in a way, the only way to understand its truth was to regard it as having application to the Messianic messenger.

Curiously enough, as if assuming the psalm to be Messianic, it was a verse from this particular psalm which was presented to Christ Jesus in the form of a temptation when he was urged to cast himself down from the temple pinnacle. Jesus refused to consider making this spectacular exhibition wherewith to impress the multitudes in the temple courts, and made answer to the temptation, "It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God." Now, the chapter heading of the psalm is against the commentary of the theologian, for the brief statement of its contents is: "The state of the godly, their safety, their habitation, their servants, their friend; with the effects of them all." Furthermore, the emphasis is laid on making God refuge and fortress and habitation, and it clearly follows, "Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; there shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling."

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