Article July 16, 1927 Issue

A rabbi writing in a recent issue of Emanu-El describes...

Edgar McLeod, Committee on Publication for Northern California,—San Francisco

Emanu-El

A rabbi writing in a recent issue of Emanu-El describes Christian Scientists as "fanatic zealots," because they elect to depend upon God without the aid of material means to recover and preserve health. Thus defined, the term "fanatic zealots" might be applied to many lofty characters in the Old as well as the New Testament, including Elijah and Elisha, both of whom depended wholly upon God to heal the desperate cases that were brought to them. That this spiritual healing must have been genuine and convincing is evidenced by the word of no less a person than Naaman, the haughty military leader, who had delivered Syria from invading armies — one not likely to be swayed by fanatical emotion. When his leprosy, which had baffled the skill of the court physicians, was instantaneously healed through the power of Spirit, the great soldier declared, "Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel." That the healing of Naaman was not regarded as exceptional or extraordinary among the Hebrews is revealed in the matter-of-fact assuredness of the little captive maid's utterance, "Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy." Also, the chronicler's explanation that King Asa's demise was the result of his having depended upon the physicians instead of having relied upon God, implies that spiritual means were regarded as more efficacious and dependable than material means in the healing of disease, at least during certain periods in Jewish history.

The rabbi seems willing to repose a certain trust in God, but states, "If there be a stone in gall or kidney which has to be removed, no supplications will bring it out—not even those of a Christian Science practitioner—nothing except the skillfully handled surgeon's knife." The foregoing statement apparently overlooks the marvelous healings through spiritual power alone which are recorded throughout the Bible from Genesis to the Apocalypse. In fact, the Bible is replete with praise and thanksgiving to God for deliverance from famine, pestilence, bondage, and sword. That there has been no abatement of God's power and willingness to heal is shown by testimonies of healing given in Wednesday evening meetings in Christian Science churches throughout the world and appearing in the Christian Science periodicals. The rabbi states that "no person who is truly a Jew need go to Christian Science for any answer to his needs. Whoever does go is simply ignorant of the gems of his own faith." Undoubtedly many Christians as well as Jews overlook and fail to utilize God's promises as contained in the Bible.

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

A rabbi writing in a recent issue of Emanu-El describes...

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access