Article April 14, 1923 Issue

"His only begotten Son"

RUTH C. FORTSON

In John's gospel we read, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Many denominational churches, particularly those which believe in vicarious atonement, stress this verse of Scripture, as proof of their contention that salvation, or eternal life, comes through blind belief in the vicarious sacrifice of Jesus. In her early experience in Christian Science, the writer was somewhat perplexed over this verse. If God knows nothing of sin and death, as we are taught in Christian Science, how could He give His only begotten Son to die for the sins of the world? Patiently waiting for unfoldment, through daily study and application of the truth as taught in Christian Science, in so far as she understood it, she finally came to see its true meaning, and the marvelous revelation it contains.

The only begotten Son, the divine image and likeness of God, is the manifestation of infinite Love. Jesus—that is, the apparent flesh and blood of Jesus—was not the only begotten Son, for Spirit could not beget matter or the flesh. We read in the Scriptures that "the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other." It is unthinkable that God, who is infinite wisdom and Love, the God of perfect harmony, would or could create something to be at enmity with Himself, and which He would not permit to enter His kingdom.

In Matthew we read, "And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

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Obedience to Love
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