Article January 1, 1927 ISSUE

As a contributor to a recent issue of your paper stated...

Ralph W. Still, Committee on Publication for the State of Texas,—Tyler

Daily Courier-Times

As a contributor to a recent issue of your paper stated that the teachings of Christian Science are "false, dangerous, and misleading," and that Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science and author of its textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," is a false prophet, I ask that you kindly allow space for refutation and correction of such erroneous assertions. Let it be understood, at the outset, that Christian Scientists agree with their critic that the Bible should be studied "with the utmost care and diligence," even as their teachings inculcate such study; and they daily and literally observe the Master's injunction to "search the scriptures," endeavoring to gain from their sacred pages more of that inspiration and understanding which will enable them the more effectually not only to comfort the sorrowing and reclaim the sinning, but to heal the sick as well through divine power. The tenets of the Christian Science church may be found on page 497 of its textbook, the first of which reads, "As adherents of Truth, we take the inspired Word of the Bible as our sufficient guide to eternal Life."

Much or most of the criticism of the teachings of Christian Science with respect to Christ Jesus comes from an inability or unwillingness on the part of the critics to understand these teachings, which differentiate clearly between the corporeal, human Jesus and the incorporeal, eternal Christ, a distinction the Master himself made plain. For example, in such statements as, "Before Abraham was, I am," and, "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world," the Saviour was manifestly referring to the Christ, and not to himself as a person. In Hebrews, the "Son of God" (Christ) is referred to as "having neither beginning of days, nor end of life." That the Master disclaimed any personal goodness is seen in his rebuke of the salutation, "Good Master." His reply was, "Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God." Furthermore, Jesus disclaimed any underived power, saying on one occasion, "The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do."

No other religious teachings exalt the mission, life, and works of Christ Jesus as does Christian Science. Christian Science, however, does not accord deity to the human Jesus; but neither did Jesus make such claim, as witness the above quotations. Christian Scientists do not claim that Jesus was "as full of errors as other mortals," as our critics assert. On page 26 of Science and Health Mrs. Eddy refers to the Master's "sinless career;" and on page 332 of that work Jesus is referred to as "the good and pure Christ Jesus."

Moreover, as Christian Scientists accept, literally, the Scriptural record of the virgin birth, life, words, works, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension of the Master, definitely erroneous and indefensible is the assertion that the "supreme aim" of Christian Science is to "take away Jesus Christ as the alone Saviour of men." No teaching can do that! Contrary to our critic's declaration, Christian Science does teach that there is a God, an all-loving, eternal, ever present, and omnipotent God, a God who is able and willing to destroy the evils that so sorely afflict mankind; and while Christian Science teaches there is "no evil, no sin, no sickness" (as our critic rightly avers) in God, the seeming reality of these errors in human experience is not denied. However, these errors or evils, having no basis in Truth, and not being either God-created or God-sustained, are unreal and destructible; and the proof that Christian Science furnishes in support of its teaching is seen in the healing of all manner of sickness and disease, in the destruction of false and sinful appetites, and in the breaking of the bondage of sensualism and wickedness through the divine power alone. What greater and more wonderful tribute to God's loving-kindness, ever-presence, grace, and power could a religious teaching furnish? Christ Jesus furnished the same evidence in support of the correctness of his teachings. From the foregoing explanation of its teaching and recital of its accomplishments it may be seen that Christian Science is the reinstatement of Christ's primitive healing Christianity; and its position is secure, as is the position of Mary Baker Eddy, whose character and life-work entitle her to freedom from aspersive attacks of mistaken and misguided detractors.

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