Article January 24, 1931 Issue

The contribution of a clergyman on the subject of Christian Science...

Charles M. Shaw, Committee on Publication for Lancashire, England,—Nelson

Leader

The contribution of a clergyman on the subject of Christian Science, in your issue of October 17, is a welcome change from the criticisms published from time to time, in that it is fair, free from bitterness, and tolerant towards those from whom he conscientiously differs. At the same time I must join issue with his sweeping assertions that "Christian Science is not Christianity at all," and that its healing is not Christian healing, statements which are obviously mere personal opinions, as there is no serious evidence offered to support them. It would have been illuminating if he had told us what Christianity is, for there are over a hundred different brands in existence, differing from each other in kind or degree. It would have been equally illuminating had he explained what Christian healing is in view of the conflicting opinions about it the various sections of the Christian church. As to Christian Science healing your contributor is totally ignorant of it, as I will presently show.

Your correspondent seeks to refute the claim of Christian Science to be Christianity by quoting from Scripture the passage, "Canst thou by searching find out God?" (though I confess I do not see the application) yet, strangely enough, when dealing with the assertion that we go to the Scriptures primarily for knowledge of God, he remarks, "Christianity does not regard Scripture as of itself giving us knowledge of God. The Scripture itself refers us for this knowledge to Jesus Christ." But where do we derive our knowledge of Jesus Christ except from the Scriptures? The founder of Christianity was Christ Jesus, and its character is described in the four Gospels. His teachings are unmixed with medieval theology or with rites and ceremonies derived from pagan sources. Moreover, the only test he imposed was ability to demonstrate his teachings and do the works he did.

The clergyman says Jesus always put his healing work in a secondary place. He has evidently overlooked the incident of John's disciples coming to Jesus and asking, "Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?" to which the reply was, "Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached." As a matter of fact, the works of Christ Jesus cannot be divided into compartments. His supreme task was to reveal the truth, which, he declared, would make free those who received it. And some were set free from sin, many freed from disease, and others delivered from the bonds of death. Hence his great command to his followers in every age was to preach the gospel, heal the sick, raise the dead. That was Christian Science, the exact and orderly knowledge of God and of His truth revealed by Christ Jesus, capable of being demonstrated by all willing to receive it.

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

The contribution of a clergyman on the subject of Christian Science...

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access