Editorial August 15, 1925 Issue

Causation Spiritual

Albert F. Gilmore

Christian Scientists find in the religion revealed and established by Mrs. Eddy the answer to every query which may arise pertaining to existence, its source and expression. Not only does Christian Science deal with the subjects which are commonly classed as religious,—the things of Spirit, God, the universe and man,—but it answers precisely and adequately all the questions which are usually included in the categories of philosophy. That is to say, Christian Science answers the riddle of the universe,—what reality is. Because of our great Leader's exposition of Life and its manifestation, Christian Scientists view with complacency the controversy which is waging as to mankind's origin, the nature and character of divine Principle, and the method of its creative activity. Nothing is left unanswered, nothing is avoided; but the subject is set forth in a manner at once comprehensive and withal so plain that it is understood by all who turn to it with humility and the spirit of obedience.

To the Christian metaphysician it seems an anomaly that the plain statements of the Bible can cause such confusion. "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth," we read as the opening sentence; and again, "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him." John represents Jesus as declaring, "God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." Could there be more precise statements? Yet many have insisted and still continue to insist that the counterfeit of the real man, the so-called mortal, is God's image. Moreover, this claim is made in spite of the fact that the Prophet of Nazareth, wisest of men, declared exactly to the contrary. Truly, the perversity of human reasoning is incalculable.

What more concise statements could our Leader make as to the First Cause and its method than are found on pages 502 and 503 of our textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures"? "The creative Principle—Life, Truth, and Love—is God," she declares. "The universe reflects God. There is but one creator and one creation." And she elucidates creation thus: "This creation consists of the unfolding of spiritual ideas and their identities, which are embraced in the infinite Mind and forever reflected." Here is the story of creation set forth in terms comparable in dignity and conciseness with the Biblical story, so clear that none can fail to understand. Creation is spiritual, and there is none other. There is no other reality, nothing outside of nor in addition to this complete and perfect universe. It is God's work, which stands forever, to which nothing can be added and from which nothing can be taken away. Completeness and perfection prevail in the universe of Spirit.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Editorial

"Thou hast put gladness in my heart"