Editorial June 29, 1929 Issue

Faith and Works

Duncan Sinclair

"Our Master's first article of faith propounded to his students was healing, and he proved his faith by his works," writers Mrs. Eddy on pages 145 and 146 of the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." And she adds, "The ancient Christians were healers." No unbiased student of the New Testament can fail to acknowledge the fact that Jesus' works substantiated his faith. Had these works—the healing of sickness and sin—not been accomplished, the doctrine which he taught would not have carried the conviction it did to his hearers; neither would it have inspired the faith and understanding in his disciples which made them the bravest of men and the pioneers of spiritual healing.

Christ Jesus valued faith as perhaps no other has done, emphasizing the part it played in connection with some of the notable healings he brought about. And the Christian Scientist is keenly aware of its value to-day in the work of healing. He knows that if one who approaches him for help has faith, that one is in possession of a great spiritual asset which renders thought receptive, thought in which the truth understood and declared wil find a lodgment, dispelling erroneous beliefs and bringing about healing. But the Christian Scientist will not fail to impress upon the one healed the need for spiritual understanding on the latter's part.

Now, it is possible to have a faith which is little else than blind belief. One can imagine, for instance, a child who is ignorant of the rules of arithmetic having faith in these rules because someone he knows and esteems makes satisfactory use of them. But the child's faith unaided will never enable him to work out a single arithmetical problem correctly. It should, however, act as an incentive to him to obtain an understanding of the rules of arithmetic; for then he be in a position to work out the problems which may be set him. Thus, faith should ultimate in understanding, understanding which is capable of bringing forth fruit.

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