Editorial September 19, 1931 Issue

Healing a Primary Requirement

Duncan Sinclair

Although the healing of disease occupied a prominent place in the ministry of Christ Jesus, Christians ceased almost entirely to practice it about three centuries after the crucifixion. This is to be wondered at, for the Master had undoubtedly instructed his followers, not only of his own day but of all time, to follow him in the healing of sickness as in the healing of sin and all other inharmonious conditions. Recognizing this, and having discovered the law of spiritual healing, Mrs. Eddy writes on page 31 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," under the marginal heading "Healing primary," "First in the list of Christian duties, he [Jesus] taught his followers the healing power of Truth and Love."

That the healing power of God — Truth and Love — should be as available to-day as when Jesus demonstrated it is altogether reasonable, since, as James writes, in Him there is "no variableness, neither shadow of turning." The Master said, "I can of mine own self do nothing," and, "The Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works," as John records. It was the Nazarene's understanding of God — Truth and Love — which he used in the destruction of all forms of error. How apt are our Leader's words with regard to spiritual healing, whether practiced by Jesus or by his followers to-day (ibid., p. 55): "The time for the reappearing of the divine healing is throughout all time; and whosoever layeth his earthly all on the altar of divine Science, drinketh of Christ's cup now, and is endued with the spirit and power of Christian healing."

But what has Christian Science to tell about disease, so called? That it is unreal, just as every other form of evil is unreal. And why? Because God, the creator, being infinitely good, could not create aught unlike good. This is the teaching of absolute Science. Is there any explanation, then, of so-called disease? All that can be said of it from the Christian Science point of view is that it is the seeming effect of erroneous material thinking; thinking, that is, which is not true to God — Truth and Love. Since this is so, it is possible to destroy disease by true thinking, that is, by thinking based on an understanding of God and supported by the Christ-spirit. "We classify disease as error, which nothing but Truth or Mind can heal, and this Mind must be divine, not human." These words occur on page 483 of Science and Health; and they are followed by a statement of whose truth Christian Scientists are firmly convinced: "Mind transcends all other power, and will ultimately supersede all other means in healing."

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