Editorial September 22, 1923 Issue

Inspiration

Duncan Sinclair

Sometimes people speak as if the days of inspiration had passed, just as they refer to the age of miracles as long gone by, when neither statement is true. The miracle, or wonder to human sense, is being performed to-day, times without number, in Christian Science practice; and inspiration is that which in every case is behind the so-called miracle, enabling it to be done. Why, then, should it be thought that inspiration is no longer available? Why should men believe that, although God inspired many in the centuries long since gone, now His divine influence is no longer exercised? There is no rational basis whatsoever for believing that God has in any degree ceased to inspire those who are worthy, those who desire to carry out His purposes,—the purposes of good; for is not God unchangeable, the same yesterday, to-day, and forever?

In the great epic poem of Job, Elihu tells Job that "the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding." Luke records that in his prophecy Zacharias said that "the Lord God of Israel ... spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began,"—obviously through inspiration. And the words of the Apostle Paul to Timothy may also be cited to bear testimony to the fact that inspiration has not been confined to any particular period of history, but is the gift of God to all who, in purity of heart, listen for and can spiritually hear His word. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God," are the apostle's words.

Now in Christian Science there is no mystery about inspiration. Indeed, the student of Christian Science looks upon inspiration as that which he is constantly expecting and should be constantly experiencing. But to understand his position one must first of all gain some knowledge of what Christian Science teaches about God and man. Like all other questions of a spiritual nature, it can only be answered in that way. The reason why so much doubt clings to spiritual affairs is due to the simple fact that mankind will not become reasonable and begin to think out all spiritual questions from the basis of a correct understanding of God and God's man. This true knowledge of God and man is precisely what Christian Science gives. And anyone who grasps it—and the little child can—will not fail to comprehend what inspiration is, and how it is imparted to God's children.

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