Editorial August 15, 1931 Issue

Man, not God

Clifford P. Smith

Frequent objections to Christian Science are its denial that any form of matter is real and its denial that Jesus was God. Opposition to this religion disappears in the ratio that its teachings on these two points are comprehended with their bases and practical results. Truly understood, the affirmative teachings of Christian Science on these subjects are found to have the utmost value for all who accept them and act upon them. The first of these topics has been explained frequently; the other, not so often. Hence, it will be the subject of this writing.

Considered reasonably, the question whether Jesus is God ought to be determined by what he said. Whatever else he may have been, he was a teacher, and he taught the truth of being. Therefore, even his silence on such a vital point would refute the belief that he was the Deity. But he was not silent. He alluded to himself as a man—"a man that hath told you the truth" (John 8:40). He referred to himself with other men as worshiping God—"We know what we worship" (John 4:22). Frequently he spoke of himself as not God. For instance, he said, "Ye believe in God, believe also in me" (John 14:1).

Jesus, the son of a virgin, also virtually denied that he was God. Once, he asked some opponents why they were threatening to stone him, and they answered, "For blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God." His reply was, "I said, I am the Son of God" (John 10:36). Surely, in these circumstances, if he were God he would have said so. If the Deity were three persons of whom he was one, he would not have spoken as he did.

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