In a recent issue of the Press there appeared a letter...

William Brantly, former Committee on Publication for the State of Tennessee,

Johnson City Press

In a recent issue of the Press there appeared a letter entitled "the Constitution," which contained this statement: "Many, in days gone by, have essayed to change the Bible, but for lack of life their spurious ideas and futile efforts failed to become effective." Then he included Mary Baker Eddy in a list of those he mentions as having written "bibles," or sought to change the Bible, and wound up the paragraph by asking, "Why should anyone seek to change it?" Mrs. Eddy did not undertake to rewrite or in any way to change the Bible. She says in her book "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (Pref., p. viii), "The Bible was her sole teacher;" and on page 24 she calls the Bible "the chart of life;" on page 110 she says, "The Bible was my only textbook;" on page 126: "The Bible has been my only authority. I have had no other guide in 'the straight and narrow way' of Truth;" on page 406, "The Bible contains the recipe for all healing." On page 497 she gives as the first tenet of the Christian Science religion the following statement, to which every person joining a Christian Science church must subscribe: "As adherents of Truth, we take the inspired Word of the Bible as our sufficient guide to eternal Life." The Bible referred to, the only one in use in the Christian Science churches, is the King James Version, in common use in all Protestant churches, and familiar to everyone.

Understanding that "all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness," Christian Scientists have no desire to change it in any way.

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

In a recent issue of the Press there appeared a letter...

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access