Article May 26, 1923 Issue

The seeming existence of both evil and good is the most...

Judge Clifford P. Smith, Committee on Publication for The Mother Church.—Springfield, Mass.

Union

The seeming existence of both evil and good is the most fundamental problem that ever has presented itself for explanation. In one way or another it arises continually in the experience of every thoughtful person. The Christian Science explanation begins with the first chapter of Genesis, which presents God as the only creator and His creation as good. The form of that account, its past tense, need not deprive it of present application. Existence or being for any person must necessarily be that which exists now. Therefore, present causation or creation is the practical question.

Now it is to be observed that Christ Jesus neither ascribed evil to good nor attributed matter to Spirit; nor did he teach his followers to acknowledge any other cause or creator than the heavenly Father. On the contrary, he said, "Call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven." He also said, "Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up."

Consistently with these sayings, and with the entire teaching and practice of Christ Jesus, Christian Science maintains that any seeming causation or creation which cannot be ascribed to the heavenly Father does not possess the nature of reality, and can be overcome. Accordingly, Christian Science describes the real man,—to quote words used by Mrs. Eddy,—as "that which has not a single quality underived from Deity; that which possesses no life, intelligence, nor creative power of his own, but reflects spiritually all that belongs to his Maker" (Science and Health, p. 475). The truth of this teaching is being proved in the experience of many people.

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