Article January 20, 1923 Issue

Christian Science, following the teaching of Jesus, declares,...

Longley Taylor, Committee on Publication for the State of Illinois—Chicago

Unity

Christian Science, following the teaching of Jesus, declares, "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing." In his statement, "Before Abraham was, I am," Jesus could not have been reffering to his fleshly body as the "I am." Was he not speaking about the spiritual truth which he knew to antedate Abraham and to be hid with Christ in God? Jesus himself, the prophets of old, the disciples of the first century, and those of later days, are pointing to God's creation as explained in the first chapter of Genesis, where God, Elohim, says, "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him." In the second chapter the Lord God, Jehovah, or the tribal God of the Jews, says, "And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground." Which of these versions is the truth about creation? Both cannot be. Jesus said, "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

The "suppression" of disease referred to by the critic is simply the operation of mental suggestion, or the carnal mind which Paul scathes so unmercifully, whereas a healing in Christian Science is an overcoming of the mortal assumption of authority by an understanding of spiritual Truth, which corrects the condition of disease engendered by false erroneous habits of thinking. The overcoming of all forms of sickness and suffering follows, as a natural sequence, the understanding of man's spiritual relationship with God. On page 197 of "Miscellaneous Writings" Mrs. Eddy, explaining the following quotation, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved," says:—

"In order to comprehend the meaning of the text, let us see what it is to believe. It means more than an opinion entertained concerning Jesus as a man, as the Son of God, or as God; such an action of mind would be of no more help to save from sin, than would a belief in any historical event or person. But it does mean so to understand the beauty of holiness, the character and divinity which Jesus presented in his power to heal and to save, that it will compel us to pattern after both; in other words, to 'let this Mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.' (Phil. ii. 5.)"

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
Even a casual study of the teachings of Christ Jesus cannot...
January 20, 1923
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit