Editorial February 27, 1932 Issue

All-inclusive Divinity

Clifford P. Smith

In the early history of Christian Science, almost everybody who became interested in this subject had regarded both God and man as like a human person. There were particular reasons. Most Christians regarded the human Jesus as both man and God. Likewise, nearly all Jews had the mixed material and spiritual concepts of God and man which can be found in the earlier parts of the Old Testament. In short, there were then few people except Christian Scientists who had learned to make the absolute distinction between divinity and humanity which Christian Science teaches. This statement applies in a degree to-day; but allowance must be made for human progress, particularly for the change which Christian Science has effected in human thought as a whole.

As defined now, anthropomorphism is the ascribing of human characteristics and conduct "to God, or to other spiritual beings." In particular, it ascribes limitations and materiality to God and to man. Since this error is entertained by millions of people (whether they know it by this name or not), anthropomorphism is apt to impose itself on any person who does not protect his thought. The preventive or remedy is the truth of being learned and maintained where error would enter or remain; that is, in one's individual consciousness.

Formerly, agnostics neither affirmed nor denied the actuality of God or of spiritual existence; they only professed not to know of any being or existence higher or more spiritual than human life. Now, agnosticism is more active and positive. As commonly held, it denies that the final nature of things is known or can be known; it contends that the alleged existence of God and spiritual man is both unknown and unknowable. So agnosticism has become an affirmative and positive error contrary to all forms of Christianity and contradictory of Christian Science, for this Science emphasizes, not only the God-given ability to know the absolute truth of being, but also the utmost value of spiritual understanding. Agnosticism, therefore, can be fairly regarded as apt to breed or suggest doubts and uncertainties, perhaps when certainty is most needed.

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Editorial
God's Good Will
February 27, 1932
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