Article October 11, 1919 Issue

It is becoming more and more apparent to thinking people...

C. W. Hale

The Elkhart (Ind.) Truth

It is becoming more and more apparent to thinking people that a material viewpoint of the Bible brings to the reader uncertainty, confusion, and, frequently, contradictory statements. Spiritually interpreted, the Bible proves to be wholly consistent, and enables the student to apply its teachings and prove the law of God given therein in the way Christ Jesus did and commanded his followers to do.

The statement that "no Christian ever becomes a Christian Scientist," is pretty arbitrary, and would give the inference that students of Christian Science are not Christians. Webster defines a Christian as "one who believes, or professes ... to believe, in Jesus Christ, and the truth as taught by Him; ... especially, one whose inward and outward life is conformed to the doctrines of Christ." This indicates clearly enough what a Christian is, and Christian Science is teaching its adherents that to be Christians they must conform strictly and fully to the standard established by Christ Jesus. That standard, which is clear and cannot be misunderstood, is given in Mark: "These signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover;" and in John we read, "He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father." There is no mistaking this standard, and Christian Science accepts it without reservation, and is willing to be judged by its "fruits."

In answer to the assertion that "any true Christian Scientist will admit he does not believe in the actual deity of Jesus; he will tell you that he believes in the divinity of Jesus, but not in him as Deity, making him essentially and absolutely equal with God," let me say that Christian Science teaches that Christ Jesus himself made it perfectly plain that he was not God, and no one needs any clearer statement than he made when he rebuked the young ruler, and said, "Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God." Then again he said, "I can of mine own self do nothing ... I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me," and, "There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true."

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