Article November 6, 1937 Issue

Correcting False Concepts

ELIZABETH ADLAM

Children attending the Christian Science Sunday School from their earliest years have the unique privilege of gaining the correct understanding of God and of man, and of learning the spiritual meaning of the Scriptures. But often the adult beginner in the study of Christian Science may find that numerous misinterpretations of the Bible must be corrected, and that many of his preconceived beliefs and notions concerning the nature of God must be discarded and eradicated from thought.

Many familiar texts, thundered from old-time pulpits, have struck fear and consternation into sensitive childish hearts, leaving deep impressions of a God of wrath and vengeance watching from a great white throne to punish every youthful misdeed. And oftentimes these impressions have remained firmly embedded in thought throughout the years. However, when the light of Christian Science is thrown upon the Bible, through the inspired words of our revered Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, in her textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," and her other writings, it is with relief and joy that we begin to discern the true nature of God as Love, Truth, Life, Principle, unchanging and unchangeable, and not as a sort of potentate administering both good and evil.

The well-known text from Galatians, "Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap," has, from childhood on, conveyed to many the thought of punishment for wrongdoing, and nothing more. With the fuller interpretation gained through the unfoldment of Truth in our understanding, does it not also mean to us the sure reaping or reward for right sowing or thinking expressed in better health, more harmony, peace, and supply? For if a man sows thoughts of love, peace, gratitude, joy, shall he not gather the harvest of so doing? Indeed St. Paul, immediately after the words already quoted, said, "Let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."

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