Article August 9, 1924 Issue

When the priests of the first century opposed and denounced...

W. Stuart Booth,—Byers

News

When the priests of the first century opposed and denounced those scientific Christians, Peter and other apostles, the Bible states that Gamaliel, a wise doctor of the law, advised the priests, "Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: but if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God." This advice is respectfully commended to the present-day critics of Christian Science. The Founder of Christianity did not identify his religion by or with creeds, but with deeds. When John the Baptist sent to Jesus asking if he were the Messiah, his reply was a recounting of the works he was accomplishing by means of his spiritual understanding of God's unchanging, ever availing law of life, health, and harmony. Christian Scientists likewise show and substantiate their faith by their works, as the Bible demands. The Christian Science teaching regarding Christ Jesus has Scriptural authority. That Jesus was not God, but was the Son of God, was plainly stated by him; he spoke of God as "my Father, and your Father;" he rebuked the rich young man who addressed him as "good Master," saying, "There is none good but one, that is, God." Christian Science accepts and reasonably explains Jesus' resurrection and ascension. His overcoming of all evil, sickness and death included, made him the Way-shower for all mankind, even as he stated. When Paul wrote to the Philippians, "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure," he set at naught the theory of the vicarious atonement. Christian Scientists rejoice that they are learning from the study of the Bible and of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy how to work out their own salvation from all evil in accordance with the precepts, promises, and practice of Christ Jesus. From the above statements it will be seen by an unbiased observer that Christian Science practice is not neglect, but is intelligent reliance upon the best known method of healing, that spiritual means and methof employed by Christ Jesus and commended by him to all his followers.