Editorial April 28, 1923 Issue

The Teachings of Jesus

Albert F. Gilmore

THE revival of interest in the Scriptures and especially in the teachings of Christ Jesus, increasingly to be witnessed on every hand, has more than a momentary significance. It indicates an active yearning for the "things of the Spirit," the results of which can scarcely fail to insure a deeper insight into the true meaning of the New Testament. Were one to examine this tendency during the last half century, without doubt it could be directly traced to the influence of the teachings of Mary Baker Eddy, which have so wonderfully illumined the words and works of the Master; for Christian Science both reveals the spiritual law by which our Lord performed the so-called miracles, and furnishes through demonstration the proof of the invariable nature and divine source of this law. In the light of this revelation, the teachings of Christ Jesus are taking on a deeper significance, and their original purport is made known and established.

The true message of the sacred Scriptures, which became obscured in the darkness of materiality during the middle centuries of the Christian era, is again revealed through spiritual understanding. Of the character and quality of Jesus' teachings, Mrs. Eddy says in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 98), "Mystery does not enshroud Christ's teachings, and they are not theoretical and fragmentary, but practical and complete; and being practical and complete; and they are not deprived of their essential vitality." It is their "essential vitality" which Christian Science has disclosed, proving the rightness of its revelation through the works accomplished.

John the Baptist, foreseeing the meaning of the Nazarene's ministry, as recorded in the fourth gospel, declared, "For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." Is it not manifest from the Baptist's declaration that he was endowed with the prophetic vision of the spiritually-minded, for he plainly foresaw the work Jesus was to do? Furthermore, from the context it is evident that John understood the Christ as revealed centuries later by the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science: "He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me," or, as the Greek literally signifies, "first in regard of me." Obviously, he recognized the Christ as eternal, ever present, without beginning of years or end of days, the ideal Truth healing mankind of its false beliefs.

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