Article January 28, 1922 Issue

Christian Science versus Human Will

LOUISE ELIZABETH LITZSINGER

In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," its author, Mary Baker Eddy, gives a chapter entitled, "Glossary," in which she defines some Bible terms, in many or most cases giving the human concept or material sense as well as the divine concept or spiritual sense of these terms. On page 597 we find the word "will" defined thus: "Will. The motive-power of error; mortal belief; animal power. The might and wisdom of God. 'For this is the will of God.' (I Thessalonians iv, 3.) Will, as a quality of so-called mortal mind, is a wrong-doer; hence it should not be confounded with the term as applied to Mind or to one of God's qualities.''

In the light which comes from the study of this illuminating definition, the Christian Science student sees that as human will is "the motive-power of error" nothing short of the complete and ultimate subordination of this will can assure a firm and permanent foundation for his work in Christian Science and bring into his experience "the might and wisdom of God." This warfare between the false sense and the divine idea, Paul describes as the flesh warring against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh. And Mrs. Eddy says (Science and Health, p. 288): "The suppositional warfare between truth and error is only the mental conflict between the evidence of the spiritual senses and the testimony of the material senses, and this warfare between the Spirit and flesh will settle all questions through faith in and the understanding of divine Love."

In studying the life of Christ Jesus, who is the master Metaphysician and example for all mankind, we find that the motive of his life purpose was ever, "Not my will, but thine, be done." And wherefore the necessity for the complete surrender of the human will to the divine? Because the divine is based on Principle, and Principle could never be less than exact and uncompromising. But since Principle is God, and God is Love, this mental conflict between the human and the divine lessens in proportion as the true nature of God as Love is apprehended, and it is learned that nothing is lost but everything gained by this surrender, which is only the forsaking of the false for the true.

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Love Thy Neighbor
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