Editorial July 1, 1933 Issue

Righteous Rebuke of Error

W. Stuart Booth

MANY students of Christian Science had read and loved the Bible and had honestly endeavored to accept, understand, and obey its precepts even before they learned of Mrs. Eddy's discovery and of her textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." The study of this textbook, however, has spiritually illumined the Bible for them so that its practical import and application to present-day problems have been discerned and demonstrated by these students. This spiritual clarification of the Scriptures is particularly noted in connection with the records of Christ Jesus' words and works, because they form the basis for Christian Science precept and practice.

Christian Science clearly reveals the truth about Christ Jesus so that he is seen as mankind's Exemplar and Wayshower in fact as well as in name. In their earnest endeavors to be consistent Christian waygoers, students of Christian Science find it especially helpful to study and emulate the Christian manner and scientific methods employed by Christ Jesus in his healing and reformatory work. Undeniably the basis of the Master's thought and teaching was the understood truth about God; and the impelling motive of his self-sacrificing work was to exemplify the truth about God so that thereby his Father might be glorified and mankind might be blessed. He ever directed the thought of men away from himself to God as the divine power in his mighty and impressive healing and liberating works.

Christ Jesus knew that God, good, is omnipotent Truth—the only power—for he said, "With God all things are possible." And he spoke of evil—Satan—as a liar and the father of lies. It was natural, therefore, that he who came, as he said, to "bear witness unto the truth" should renounce, reject, and rebuke error—whatever was presented to him which was unlike God, good, divine Truth, Life, and Love. According to the Bible accounts it appears that the Master found righteous rebuke of error an effective aid in his healing work. When he saw Peter's mother-in-law laid low "with a great fever" he "rebuked the fever; and it left her: and immediately she arose and ministered unto them." It is helpful to note that Jesus' rebuke was directed against the erroneous beliefs that matter is both cause and effect and that sickness is real and powerful. In this instance he rebuked the belief, not the believer. At another time, when Peter remonstrated with the Master as he foretold his crucifixion, the rebuke was directed likewise at the error, although it was voiced to the disciple, perhaps because the error which had handled him was sinful in nature and intent.

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