Article May 18, 1929 Issue

"Does a Jew cease to be a Jew, religiously speaking, when...

Ralph G. Lindstrom, Committee on Publication for the State of Colorado,—Denver

Intermountain Jewish News

"Does a Jew cease to be a Jew, religiously speaking, when he joins the Christian Science church?" is a question asked in your columns, to which I made very brief answer in your issue of November 15, in which issue was also printed another writer's rather extensive reply, containing certain statements and inferences which require correction.

First, it should be clearly understood that Christian Scientists indulge in no revivals or campaigns to enlist proselytes from any other church, race, or class. Those Jewish men and women who have become students of Christian Science have come of their own free accord, and because they have found it incomparably effective in meeting human needs and in satisfying religious longing. But no one can become a member of the Church of Christ, Scientist, until membership in other denominations has been terminated.

It may first be observed that Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, has said in the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 271), "Christ's Christianity is the chain of scientific being reappearing in all ages, maintaining its obvious correspondence with the Scriptures and uniting all periods in the design of God." Now Christian Science accepts, indeed is squarely founded upon, the life and works of Jesus the Christ; yet it does not regard Jesus as God, but as the Son of God. Certainly the Jew who becomes a Christian Scientist does not cease to be a genuine monotheist, but he does see in the life and works of Jesus the Christ a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy and promise; and he comes to see the wondrous truth and beauty of the Old Testament in the light of New Testament revelation.

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