Editorial October 29, 1927 Issue

Man's Real Selfhood

Albert F. Gilmore

Between the real man, made in God's likeness, and the counterfeit, the so-called mortal or material sense of man, Mrs. Eddy draws so clear a distinction that none need be confused as to man's true selfhood. On page 294 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" she writes: "Man's genuine selfhood is recognizable only in what is good and true. Man is neither self-made nor made by mortals. God created man." In these brief sentences our Leader has settled the question of man's origin and identity forever. Man is not the offspring of material sense, for so-called material sense is an erroneous belief, having no foundation in reality. God knows nothing of it. God is man's creator; and the man of God's creating is possessed only of the qualities of God; for man is God's likeness and reflection. Therefore we are perfectly assured that man possesses no qualities underived from God, no attributes or characteristics unlike spiritual perfection.

These fundamental truths established, we are prepared to combat all erroneous claims and beliefs which may arise to becloud man's true nature and his relationship to God. In the light of this understanding of man's nature and origin, what becomes of the false material sense of man comprising the countless mortals who people the earth? In what category do they belong? Christian Scientists are not in doubt as to the situation. For one learns in Christian Science that belief in a mortal as man, a counterfeit of the true man, is without the slightest basis of reality; is a nothingness, a negation to be dismissed as altogether false. To be rid of this belief is the necessity, for belief in a mortal as man persists to harass and plague mankind.

Belief in a human personality to which error undertakes to attach itself is the source of all the difficulties to which mankind is heir. To transform this false sense of personality is the problem to which every Christian Scientist applies himself. For only as this false belief is laid aside will the real man appear. The two concepts are directly opposed, for the true and the false concept of man cannot occupy thought at the same time. In order to grasp the true, the false must be relinquished.

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