Article August 7, 1920 Issue

An Episcopal layman recently declared in the World-Herald...

Louis A. Gregory

Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald

An Episcopal layman recently declared in the World-Herald that the Nicene creed is practically the constitution of orthodox Christianity, and finding that Christian Science does not accept the theory that Christ is God, stated in that creed, he jumped to the conclusion that Christian Science has no Christian basis. If both his premises were admitted, Christian Science would still have for its foundation, as actually it does have, the whole of the sacred Scriptures, the Holy Bible, for the Nicene creed is not a part of the Bible, and discussion of the relationship of that creed to Bible teaching has continued without conclusion for fifteen centuries with a vigor and persistence that no other subject has exceeded.

It may well be that the statement is correct that the Nicene creed is the constitution of various religious doctrines, but creed or belief cannot be the basis of scientific teaching, for that must rest upon absolute law. Christian Science is truly scientific and is based upon the spiritual law stated in the Bible and fully demonstrated by Christ Jesus. This law declares the infinitude and goodness of God, and the Savior showed that this law must be understood and applied, thus destroying all manner of evil, including sickness. The science of Christianity operates according to that law, overcoming sin, disease, and all evil in proof of God's allness.

When Christian Science emphasizes the desirability of going beyond mere faith to a demonstrable understanding of Christianity, it does not ignore faith, as the layman critic assumed. It does not conflict with the Pauline teaching of the importance of faith or of justification by faith, but it does show the superiority of faith in works over faith in words. The New Testament makes very clear that works without faith are just as vain as is faith without works, but that gives no ground for anxiety lest undue emphasis be placed upon works that result from an understanding of the unceasing and unlimited activity of God's power. Certainly no one has done so much as Jesus did, for most of the gospel record is occupied with the account of his good works, and probably the healing of disease is the most frequent event.

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

An Episcopal layman recently declared in the World-Herald...

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access