Article June 8, 1918 Issue

The lengthy discourse on Christian Science in a recent...

Albert F. Gilmore—New York, N. Y.

Hebrew Standard

The lengthy discourse on Christian Science in a recent issue presents at least one novel phase; for rarely does a critic of this religion complain because it is founded upon the teachings of the Bible. The charge that Mrs. Eddy has committed plagiarism in arranging for Lesson-Sermons comprising readings from the Old Testament, and in incorporating many of its teachings in the religion she gave to the world, without properly recognizing their Jewish source, would be humorous if it were not said so seriously. As monotheism is the very foundation upon which all Christendom has reared its structures, it is quite inconceivable why the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science alone should be selected for this belaboring. All Christians the world over, Christian Scientists in particular, recognize and gratefully acknowledge the source of their religious heritage as reaching far back to the kings, prophets, and wise men of Israel.

Christian Science definitely teaches that the Old Testament is the history of the unfoldment in national consciousness of the true idea of God. It recognizes that from the early concept of a God of love and hate, a God of passion and war, there came gradually to Israel the light of spiritual understanding, a revelation of truth, which reached its culmination in the life and teachings of Christ Jesus. Mrs. Eddy could, with as much justice, be charged with plagiarism in teaching the doctrine of Jesus as in accepting and promulgating the Jewish concept of the unity of God, as revealed through the prophets and lawgivers of Israel. It should be noted that the statement that God is Love is quite different from the assertion that God is a God of love. Notwithstanding the claim of the critical rabbi, the Old Testament, while teaching love as an attribute of God, does not teach that God is in essence Love. That was left to Jesus and the author of the fourth gospel, to be further amplified and expanded by Mrs. Eddy. Christian Science teaches that God is infinite Love, divine Mind, having no consciousness of hate; while all the world knows that the concept of the Jehovah of the Jews was of a God of love and hate. Mrs. Eddy states this very clearly on page 140 of Science and Health, "The Jewish tribal Jehovah was a man-projected God, liable to wrath, repentance, and human changeableness. The Christian Science God is universal, eternal, divine Love, which changeth not and causeth no evil, disease, nor death." The one is the early concept of God as a despotic monarch, the other the fullness of revelation in consciousness of God as infinite Principle, perfect Love.

The best proof that the teachings of the Jewish religion are practical in the healing of disease is to employ them to that end. Christian Science ... proves its faith by its works. Is it not fair to presume that when the "signs following," manifest in healing the sick, regenerating the sinner, and pointing a present day salvation from all discordant living, shall characterize the practice of the Jewish religion, there will be no occasion for this kind of controversy? It is because just such signs are following those that believe in Christian Science, that its ranks have so rapidly filled. Is not the most practical, in fact the only, method of controverting this religion found in proving to the world that there is a better way, not through mere assertino but by demonstration?

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June 8, 1918
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