Article January 13, 1923 Issue

Sincere Christians have honest differences of opinion in...

William Capell, Committee on Publication for the State of Connecticut,—Norwich

Bulletin

Sincere Christians have honest differences of opinion in regard to the Bible and its teachings. The reasons for this are not difficult to find. The Bible was written by Easterners. In it are found poems, drama, history, and allegory: it abounds in metaphor. It contains passages which have both a spiritual and a literal meaning. One would be wise, therefore, to refrain from declaring that Christian Science conflicts with the Bible simply on the ground that Christian Science does not agree with what he may sincerely believe the Bible teaches. The critic speaks of Adam as having been created perfect. We read in Genesis 1:27, "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them." In Genesis 2:7 we read, "And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." And farther on in the same chapter, we are told that after first causing "a deep sleep to fall upon Adam," God took one of Adam's ribs, and made of it a woman. It is quite evident that Biblical scholars are right in declaring that the first part of Genesis includes two distinct documents. And it is much more in accord with reason and revelation to regard the story of Adam and Eve and the talking serpent as allegory rather than as spiritual history. Could a loving God create a perfect man, and then allow a situation to develop which would result in man's downfall and death? The answer is, No!

Science and Health in no way takes the place of the Scriptures; and the attitude of Christian Scientists towards the Bible is clearly indicated by the first tenet of Christian Science, to be found on page 497 of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures": "As adherents of Truth, we take the inspired Word of the Bible as our sufficient guide to eternal Life."

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