Article July 15, 1922 Issue

Your remarks about Christian Science, called forth evidently...

W. Stuart Booth, Committee on Publication for the State of Colorado,

Springfield Democrat-Herald

Your remarks about Christian Science, called forth evidently by a local preacher's sermon, indicate a desire to be fair, and in so far as they are correct should help your readers. Because of your evident fairness you will undoubtedly welcome an authoritative statement whereby your readers may be correctly informed.

Contrary to the belief of many, the teaching and practice of Christian Science are not based upon the power of mind over matter. Christian Science is scientific in its method of operation, in that it deals, in the healing of sickness as well as of sin, with cause instead of effect, that is, with the thought and not with the body. In short, Christian Science healing is wrought, not by the action or influence of the human mind over its body or embodiment, but by reversing and eliminating from the human mind the fear, the hate, the uncertainty, and other evil, material beliefs by the bringing into the human consciousness of such harmonizing and vitalizing spiritual ideas as peace, love, confidence in the omnipotence of God, good. Thus it is seen that the practice of Christian Science is based upon the understood power of right, true spiritual thinking over evil, material, discordant beliefs. Such, obviously, was Christ Jesus' way of healing, for he advised against taking thought for the body; but said he, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

The theory that "there are three great combined forces in nature,—intelligence, energy, matter,—and that this combined force is God" is pantheism, and is totally unlike Christian Science, which is based upon the Scriptural teaching that God, Spirit, is the only creator and that His creation is spiritual. On page 335 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mrs. Eddy writes: "Spirit, God, has created all in and of Himself. Spirit never created matter. There in nothing in Spirit out of which matter could be made, for, as the Bible declares, without the Logos, the Æon or Word of God, 'was not anything made that was made.' Spirit is the only substance, the invisible and indivisible infinite God. Things spiritual and eternal are substantial. Things material and temporal are insubstantial." Paul wrote to the Romans, "They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God."

Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.

Send a comment to the editors
NEXT IN THIS ISSUE
Article
In reply to the letter of a correspondent, appearing in a...
July 15, 1922
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit