Editorial June 3, 1933 Issue

Logical and Consistent Christianity

W. Stuart Booth

To the materially-minded, the brief public experience of Christ Jesus, including his words and works, presents a puzzling paradox. His demonstrations over sin and sorrow, over disease, distress, and death, indicated unprecedented power; but withal he was honestly humble, for he accorded all power to God, saying that he of himself could do nothing. Although Christ Jesus "taught them as one having authority," a certain young man who had addressed him as "Good Master" was turned from person to Principle by his response: "Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God." He was classed with the poor and lowly; nevertheless, he wore goodly garments, a seamless robe, and not only were he and his disciples supplied with human necessities, but he was able to feed multitudes who had followed him into desert places. In spite of his enemies' seeming success when they crucified him, Christ Jesus transformed that experience into a mighty victory over death and over the fear, hate, human will, and animality which had actuated his adversaries.

Now Christian Science dispels the mysticism and doubt which material theories and beliefs attach to the Master's words and works. That which may have appeared paradoxical and inexplicable is made perfectly plain, understandable, and reasonable by the Science of Christianity. And with the dispelling of mystery the teachings of Christ Jesus are recognized as clear, consistent, and capable of present-day application and proof, even as he promised. Writing of this in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 145), Mrs. Eddy says, "If there is any mystery in Christian healing, it is the mystery which godliness always presents to the ungodly,—the mystery always arising from ignorance of the laws of eternal and unerring Mind."

Christian Science shows that material belief, based on physical sense testimony, and its twin, ignorance of God, Spirit, are mankind's devastating foes. From them spring all phases of evil, including limitation and lack, sickness and sorrow, fear and hate, discord and death. These twin enemies to mankind are routed—dissolved into their native nothingness—by the light of spiritual understanding made available to all mankind by Christian Science. This spiritual illumination simultaneously reveals the simplicity and consistency of Christian precept and practice, so that many are now devout followers of Christ Jesus who, before learning of Christian Science, classed themselves as agnostics or atheists.

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