Article May 1, 1920 Issue

The topic chosen for a series of sermons by the pastor of...

Warren O. Evans

Newport (R. I.) Herald

The topic chosen for a series of sermons by the pastor of the Second Baptist Church, "Urgent Questions for Thinking People," is a good one. The subject taken for the first sermon, however, "Is Christian Science Christian?" while a most excellent subject and one which is attracting the attention of intelligent and thinking people the world over, has led him into such deep water that it will take him some little time to find his way out. It is absurd for him to say that Christian Science denies the Bible, as is apparent to any one who has given this subject even a superficial investigation; for the first of the tenets of the Christian Science church, as recorded on page 497 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," the Christian Science textbook, by Mary Baker Eddy, reads thus: "As adherents of Truth, we take the inspired Word of the Bible as our sufficient guide to eternal Life." The second tenet likewise refutes the statement of our critic that Christian Science denies the Christ as the Holy Ghost or divine Comforter, as is evidenced by these words: "We acknowledge and adore one supreme and infinite God. We acknowledge His Son, one Christ; the Holy Ghost or divine Comforter; and man in God's image and likeness."

Our friend claims that, according to the teaching of Christian Science, "a person can get rid of sin by merely asking for pardon, which leaves him free to commit the same act again." Such a statement is wholly false, and the third tenet of the Christian Science church is very explicit and clear on this point, as one may perceive from these words: "We acknowledge God's forgiveness of sin in the destruction of sin and the spiritual understanding that casts out evil as unreal. But the belief in sin is punished so long as the belief lasts."

The problem of salvation has indeed been a deep one for many a thinker, but to say that "Christian Science denies the whole divine plan of salvation" is very far from the fact. Along this line, the fourth and fifth tenets will state the position of the Christian Scientist: "We acknowledge Jesus' atonement as the evidence of divine, efficacious Love, unfolding man's unity with God through Christ Jesus the Way-shower; and we acknowledge that man is saved through Christ, through Truth, Life, and Love as demonstrated by the Galilean Prophet in healing the sick and overcoming sin and death. We acknowledge that the crucifixion of Jesus and his resurrection served to uplift faith to understand eternal Life, even the allness of Soul, Spirit, and the nothingness of matter." All this is in strict accord with Jesus' statements: "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." "Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are." "He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also."

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