Article December 31, 1927 Issue

In expressing his idea of the physician of the future, a...

Lester B. McCoun, Committee on Publication for the State of Nebraska,—Omaha

Bee-News

In expressing his idea of the physician of the future, a contributor to your paper suggests that the broad-minded way is to work with both material and mental methods, and goes on to speak of "mental healers who now practice within the narrow confines of religion." In behalf of Christian Science, well known to be a religion of healing, the following is offered. While Christian Science healing is mental, yet it is so only as it is spiritual, and is not to be confused with psychotherapy or other mental healing. Christian Science looks to Christ Jesus for authority, and regards the method used by the Master as the only healing agency ever revealed by God to man. The Master knew something about healing that is not known to those relying on material means; and it is particularly noticeable that Jesus never attributed the suffering of mortals to their lack of knowledge of material means of healing, but to their ignorance of God and spiritual things. To Christian Scientists, it is illogical to suppose that Christ Jesus needed to know even present or future material theories of healing, since he was our most successful physician and healed all of his cases. While not claiming at this time to be able to demonstrate all the possibilities of divine power, yet Christian Scientists have gone far enough to know that the Principle involved is infinite, and that complete success requires more spiritual understanding and obedience to God, instead of delving more deeply into material methods of healing.

Recognizing but one God or Principle of existence, and realizing that this God is the one infinite intelligence and universal good, is not narrow. Christian Scientists do not believe that broad-mindedness means the attempt to reconcile Christ Jesus' religion and healing with the beliefs of the human mind. They believe, as the Bible declares, that Spirit and the flesh, or matter, are antagonistic, and that Christ Jesus' works definitely proved the absolute supremacy and reality of Spirit and the consequent unreality of matter. Consequently, Christian Scientists know that true spiritual healing and material methods do not unite in action, and that neither they nor materialists can change this fact. With reference to food, exercise, and air, it is well to add that the normal, peaceful state of mind established by genuine Christian Science is outwardly expressed in clean, normal habits and righteous activity. The followers of this religion regard this visible evidence of normality as the effect of righteousness rather than an effect of worshiping material elements.

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