Article March 30, 1918 Issue

It is true that the teachings of Christian Science in relation...

Henry Van Arsdale

Santa Ana (Cal.) Register

It is true that the teachings of Christian Science in relation to Jesus the Christ differ from the views entertained by dogmatic theology, but it is not true that these teachings are "diametrically opposed to Bible truths," as was alleged in a reported sermon. Christian Scientists worship one God. Mrs. Eddy in her book "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" gives as one of the important points, or religious truths of Christian Science, the following (p. 497): "We acknowledge and adore one supreme and infinite God. We acknowledge His Son, one Christ."

Christian Science accepts the Old Testament prophecies relating to the Messiah, and the gospel accounts of his birth, life, crucifixion, and resurrection. Its teaching with respect to Jesus coincides with his words and deeds and with what he taught about himself. In no instance did Jesus claim to be God. He distinctly averred that his words and his works were because of "the Father that dwelleth in me" and he further assured his followers, "He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also." Mrs. Eddy writes (Science and Health, p. 333): "The advent of Jesus of Nazareth marked the first century of the Christian era, but the Christ is without beginning of years or end of days. Throughout all generations both before and after the Christian era, the Christ, as the spiritual idea,—the reflection of God,—has come with some measure of power and grace to all prepared to receive Christ, Truth." Those who are thus prepared are receiving some measure of the power of God to-day. No person has taken, or can take, the place of Jesus in the divine plan; the perception and understanding of his life and work enables Christian Scientists to bring to the world that which the Master brought in the first century.

As part of his argument that Jesus was God, the clergyman says: "Jesus died like God." The theology that teaches that God, Spirit, the infinite, can die, or has within Himself any of the elements of destruction, is far from being Christian Science. Such doctrine cannot be found in the Bible. Jesus said that no one who believed in him and relied on his teaching would ever die, and he proved his saying for himself and for others. He knew absolutely that God is Life, and this is the emphatic doctrine of Christian Science.

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