Editorial June 13, 1925 Issue

"Goodness and severity"

Albert F. Gilmore

In discussing the fate of unbelievers, Paul issued to the Christians in Rome a warning and a promise worthy of careful consideration by all who try to direct their course in accordance with Christian teaching. "Behold therefore," he implored them, "the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness."

Paul, manifestly, saw no incongruity in placing God's goodness and severity in such juxtaposition. He saw nothing contradictory in attributing both goodness and severity to divine Love, "who is the father of us all." It was toward those who fell, that is, toward those who became materially minded, having other gods before the one God, that he conceived God to deal with severity; at the same time he promised goodness to the faithful.

The use of the word "severity" inevitably, it seems, involves the question of God's mercy, the forgiveness which it is commonly believed God, when His mercy is sought, exercises toward those who have fallen into error. What otherwise might be a difficult passage to explain, Christian Science makes perfectly clear by pointing out that God knows no evil, has in fact no consciousness of aught but the good and perfect; hence could by no means designedly punish or deal severely with the sinful. This understanding eliminates the conclusion which otherwise one might hold regarding Paul's use of the word "severity." Severity is usually characterized by harshness, austerity, and sternness, which seem altogether incompatible with divine Love, the infinite and all-inclusive. Since God is infinite good, He has no consciousness of evil, of aught that is sinful, discordant, or unreal; and man, who is God's image, reflects no quality other than the divine. It follows, then, that man expresses no attribute that is unworthy, performs no act that is sinful. No more could God be aware of erroneous and evil ways. This understanding removes the possibility of God's consciously dealing with severity toward any of His children.

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