Article June 2, 1928 Issue

A recent issue of your esteemed paper publishes a report...

Paul Gassner, Committee on Publication for Germany,

Tegel-Hermsdorjer Zeitung

A recent issue of your esteemed paper publishes a report of a lecture by a pastor, entitled "Christianity and Christian Science." From his description one gains the impression that the lecturer has a somewhat erroneous concept of the Christian Science religion. Permit me to submit the following by way of explanation. The teachings of Christian Science are embodied in the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science. It is very easy for anyone to have a false estimate of this religion if he is not acquainted with the textbook as a whole, but only with sentences detached from their context. One cannot simply assert that Christian Science knows no sin, no sickness, no death. Christian Science makes a clear distinction between the first account of creation, Genesis 1, in which all is created by Spirit, through the Word of God, and which concludes with the assertion that the whole of the finished creation which very good, and the material account of creation which begins in Genesis 2:6 and is contrary to the first account. In the second account it is allegorically described how sin is the outcome of the carnal appetites of "fallen man," resulting in disease and death. Sin, disease, and death seem very real to mortals. But Christian Science declares, in accordance with the Bible, that that which is spiritual and eternal is real, and that which is temporal and transitory is unreal.

In Christian Science the greatest significance is attributed to Jesus' mission of redemption. It recognizes in Jesus the highest revelation of God's love to man, for Jesus shows mankind how to overcome the fetters of the flesh. Through his resurrection he proved to mankind the omnipotence of Spirit. He healed every form of sickness by virtue of divine Truth, and he admonished his followers to do the same and to demonstrate their faith through works. The healing of the sick, however, is not the main object of Christian Science, which is the suppression of sin; but it teaches that Christians should strive earnestly to follow the teachings and example of Jesus not only in a few ways, but in every way. No one could possibly call such an endeavor unchristian.

The assertion that Christian Scientists know nothing of prayer is incorrect. The first chapter of Science and Health is devoted to prayer, and sets forth clearly what an earnest and holy concept of prayer Christian Science has. The Lord's Prayer is repeated at every service by the entire congregation in Christian Science churches.

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