Editorial June 1, 1918 Issue

The Household of God

William P. McKenzie

Paul defines the household of God in a letter to Timothy as "the church of the living God, the pillar and ground [that is, basis, foundation, bulwark] of the truth." This house, or household, of God is spoken of in the epistle to the Hebrews, and the faithfulness of Moses therein is recognized as the faithfulness of a servant, or a prophetic witness, whereas the faithfulness of Christ Jesus is described as that of "a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end." The writer says that "every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God." So it is God's house wherein the Son rules, and the church of Christ is the manifested household of God.

In a wisely governed household there is unity of purpose, community of interest, and the coherence of mutual affection. Not the house as a building, but house as a unifying idea, brings about the conjoining of interests and the welding of affections. Christian Scientists are very well aware that their manifestation of membership in "the house of God" is not primarily in edifices and organizations, but in that spiritual cohesion, evidenced in the union of the Son with the Father, which unites them with divine Principle. This purified and exalted condition is well described by Mrs. Eddy (Miscellany, p. 127): "Happy are the people whose God is All-in-all, who ask only to be judged according to their works, who live to love. We thank the Giver of all good for the marvellous speed of the chariot-wheels of Truth and for the steadfast, calm coherence in the ranks of Christian Science. On comparison, it will be found that Christian Science possesses more of Christ's teachings and example than all other religions since the first century."

Healed as they have been, inspired as they are, grateful as they must be, Christian Scientists feel the irrepressible activities of good will. The knowledge of God so gladdens them they wish that all may know God and rejoice in His salvation. The medieval imagery of saints sitting in heavenly places with the view of the suffering of sinners in hell for a contrast is to them incomprehensible. Their work is done that all men everywhere may "turn from sin's dishonest snare," and in this reformatory and healing effort they have engaged devotedly, and employ wise methods.

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