Article June 25, 1932 Issue

From the Field

Charles M. Shaw

[Extracts from an Address by Charles M. Shaw, Committee on Publication for Lancashire, England, to the Men's Bible Class, St. Thomas' Church (Church of England), Manchester]

I think it will be of advantage if, first of all, I explain what is the significance of the title "Christian Science." The word "Science" strictly means "certain knowledge." What are the things that can be known? Mrs. Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science maintains that only that which is absolutely real and true can be known; and so the only real Science is the knowledge of God and all that relates to Him. So that "Science," as used in Christian Science, means the knowledge of God and of His manifestations. I grant that this claim to possess knowledge of God is unusual, for the language of religion generally has much more to do with belief than with knowledge, though it must be conceded that very much is said in the New Testament concerning the knowledge of God, of Christ, and of the truth. It must be recognized that the words "belief" and "faith," occuring in our English translation of the New Testament and in the original, for the most part mean understanding, spiritual discernment, a firm hold of. And in the Old Testament there is one very striking statement: "The people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits." So that the word "Science" in this connection relates only to God and to the things of God, the only realities.

I might refer to what Christian Science has to say about Christ Jesus. Much of the work which Jesus did on earth is summarized in these words from the first epistle of John: "For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil." So the Master went about healing the sick, regenerating the sinner, and raising the dead. Obviously these evils could not have been according to the will or purpose of God or Christ Jesus would not have sought to destroy them; for he came "not ... to destroy, but to fulfil." Christian Science teaches that what he destroyed was not anything real, but the false beliefs of the carnal or mortal mind with its baneful effects.

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Editorial
Overcoming Idolatry
June 25, 1932
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