Article July 3, 1920 Issue

Understanding the Bible

MAY BARRIS

THE Bible, the most beloved of all books, has taken on a new significance in this age—the age of Christian Science. This new and higher meaning has come to us through the devotion and selflessness of Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science. In speaking of the Bible in "Retrospection and Introspection" (p. 25) she says: "The Bible was my textbook. It answered my questions as to how I was healed; but the Scriptures had to me a new meaning, a new tongue." The spiritual meaning of the Scriptures has come to us all in some measure,—in the degree that we are prepared to receive the message. What it is to have the full spiritual understanding of this marvelous Book, only spiritual living in conformity with what we already know, can reveal.

We are seeking the risen Christ as Mary Magdalene and the other Mary sought him. This determination to seek the Christ came to them "as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week." In Genesis we read: "God divided the light from the darkness, . . . And the evening and the morning were the first day." The two Marys, then, came seeking the spiritual idea, the Christ, on "the first day," the day that God divided the light from the darkness, the good from the evil, in the individual consciousness of each. Mental earthquakes may often seem to accompany our efforts to pass from the human sense of love, with its material accompaniments, to the spiritual sense of being, but like the Marys we can still press on, for the divine message or angel points the way, and dominion over the belief of materiality is proved. "The angel of the Lord . . . rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it."

In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, we find the following (p. 410): "Christian scientific practice begins with Christ's keynote of harmony, 'Be not afraid!'" So, too, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary heard the angel message, "Fear not ye," and listened while the angel told them that life, substance, and intelligence were not in matter,— "Come, see the place where the Lord lay"—the place where human belief alone would like to entomb the divine idea, in matter,—and find that "he is risen." Christian Science, the angel message to this age, shows us that man has never been anything less than the expression of God's being. This wonderful message which comes to each one of us is a sacred trust. We must use it unselfishly in the interest of mankind. With this message comes to us the command to leave all and carry it to others, to those who wait to hear it,—"Go quickly, and tell his disciples." Full and complete directions are given us: "He goeth before you into Galilee." Galilee means a circle, and Mrs. Eddy tells us (Science and Health, p. 282): "The circle represents the infinite without beginning or end; thestraight line represents the finite, which has both beginning and end. The sphere represents good, the self-existent and eternal individuality or Mind; the straight line represents evil, a belief in a self-made and temporary material existence." He goeth before us, therefore, into infinite good, showing us the way.

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

Understanding the Bible

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access