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"Man in God's image and likeness"
In the first chapter of Genesis we read, "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him." On page 497 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, we find the tenets of Christian Science, to which each one uniting with The First Church of Christ, Scientist, is required to subscribe. The second tenet contains this remarkable statement: "We acknowledge His Son, one Christ; the Holy Ghost or divine Comforter; and man in God's image and likeness." This sentence ever presents a solemn question to earnest Christian Scientists. Are we constantly striving to replace false material sense with the spiritual and true concept of man? Are we faithfully endeavoring to avoid bearing false witness against our neighbor? Or are we accepting the material and false view of life, which is constantly clamoring for recognition, claiming that sin, sickness, and death are present realities, and that salvation from them is to be found only at some distant period, when the portals of death shall have been passed?
Our Master's power over material conditions was based on his instant recognition of man as God's image and likeness; and Mrs. Eddy revealed again that glorious fact to this age. Jesus said, "The kingdom of God is within you." Mrs. Eddy says (Science and Health, p. 476): "Jesus beheld in Science the perfect man, who appeared to him where sinning mortal man appears to mortals. In this perfect man the Saviour saw God's own likeness, and this correct view of man healed the sick." Thus Jesus was enabled to cast devils from Mary Magdalene, heal Peter's mother-in-law, and raise Lazarus from the dead, as well as to perform other mighty works.
The constant endeavor to recognize man "in God's image and likeness" presents infinite possibilities of growth to the Christian Scientist. In each branch of church activity this tenet, when obeyed, is an unfailing guide to greater usefulness. If the Readers, ushers, and members of a church are faithfully subscribing to this tenet, our church services are attracting the wanderer and the wayfaring one, the Word of Truth spoken there is "rousing the dormant understanding from material beliefs to the apprehension of spiritual ideas" (Science and Health, p. 583), our silent prayers are healing the sick, and our testimonies are recording them. With this standard constantly before us, we are proving in our Sunday schools that "they shall be all taught of God." Jesus said of little children, "Of such is the kingdom of heaven." When we recognize man as reflecting the divine substance, our church treasuries overflow, and all our rightful activities are abundantly provided for. The truth found in Mrs. Eddy's works and in the Christian Science periodicals is attracting to our Reading Rooms the weary and heavy-laden, and there they are finding rest and comfort in the knowledge of man's true existence. Our literature is going forth proclaiming the truth of being,—thereby giving food and drink to those hungering and thirsting after righteousness.
Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.
April 7, 1923 issue
View Issue-
Vision and Work
LOUISE SATTERTHWAITE
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God's Protecting Care
JOSEPH LOWES THOMPSON
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Gentleness
ERNEST C. MOSES
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The Yoke of Gratitude
FRANCES H. PARKER
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The Beloved Son
BESSIE L. BIGNALL
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"Casting away his garment"
ZOE H. CLARKE
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"Man in God's image and likeness"
ELEANOR HOPPOCK LEONARD
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The Pioneer
ELIZABETH EARL JONES
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Christian Science acknowledges God as infinite Mind
Charles W. J. Tennant, Committee on Publication for London, England,
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Christian Science is a religion of Love; and its purpose is...
Joseph Coffer, Committee on Publication for the State of Oklahoma,
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The question propounded by a critic in a recent issue...
Aaron E. Brandt, Committee on Publication for the State of Pennsylvania,
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The pantheistic teaching that all is God ostensibly means...
Louis E. Scholl, Committee on Publication for the State of Washington,
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Healing in Christian Science means enlightenment,—ignorance...
Brigman C. Odom, Committee on Publication for the State of Texas,
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That the teachings of Mrs. Eddy, as set forth in the...
Elmer McBurney, Committee on Publication for Northern California,
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Christian Science does not teach that Jesus was God,...
Mrs. Alice T. Caruthers, Committee on Publication for the State of West Virginia,
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The term "Truth" evidently refers to the Principle of...
Richard E. Prince, Committee on Publication for the State of Virginia,
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Remember the Good
LILLIAN BARKER DURKEE
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"Of good report"
Albert F. Gilmore
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Testimony Meetings
Ella W. Hoag
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Alertness
Duncan Sinclair
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It is now ten years since I first came to Christian Science...
Laura A. Fitz Patrick
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The study of Christian Science has brought so many...
Anita St. John Kelly
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Christian Science was offered to me in the spring of...
Alice H. Page
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Till I began the study of Christian Science about fifteen...
Henriette W. von Stürler
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Ten years ago I was led to Christian Science by a sister-in-law...
George Burton with contributions from Amanda F. Burton
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I had exhausted the skill of some of our best physicians
Tessa Haguewood
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For more than twenty-five years, Christian Science has...
Jacob F. Walz with contributions from Frances L. W. Luneburg
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I desire to bear grateful testimony to the healing efficacy...
Benjamin Cosgrove
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Christian Science came into our home about four years...
Nina M. House
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Signs of the Times
with contributions from Maude Royden