Editorial August 8, 1936 Issue

Not "the wisdom of men," but "the power of God"

George Shaw Cook

A contributor to a well-known secular magazine of recent date argues that asserted lack of interest in orthodox Christianity is due to the fact that Christian ministers are failing practically to help members of their congregations to solve their problems—social, economic, domestic, and so forth. He claims that some church members are failing to find practical help in the churches and are turning in the direction of modern psychology. He concludes that if these persons are being carried "away from the fold, then it is the business of the clergyman to become a psychologist," if he would hold their interest.

If the writer were referring to psychology as defined by Mary Baker Eddy in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," then Christian Scientists might be quite willing to agree with him. On page 369 of that book Mrs. Eddy writes, "The prophylactic and therapeutic (that is, the preventive and curative) arts belong emphaticallly to Christian Science, as would be readily seen, if psychology, or the Science of Spirit, God, was understood."

It seems evident, however, that the writer in question does not refer to psychology as the Science of Spirit, Christian Science, which is being proved practical in the solution of the manifold problems that enter into the daily experience of mortals. He refers, rather, to the kind of material psychology that has to do only with phenomena of the so-called human mind. It may be said that this type of psychology is not the need of churches or individuals, but that their need is for a better understanding of the healing Christ, the spiritual idea of God. Writing to the Christians at Corinth, Paul said, "And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God."

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