Article January 22, 1938 Issue

Miracles

THOMAS A. CUMMING

How often do we hear it said with regard to some unusual happening, "It is a miracle!" The word is perhaps used without any clear or correct understanding of its meaning. A dictionary defines a "miracle" as "a marvelous act due to supernatural agency." In Christian Science, however, Mary Baker Eddy gives, on page 591 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," the true meaning of the word when she describes a "miracle" as "that which is divinely natural, but must be learned humanly." This definition is extraordinarily arresting, when considered in connection with the wonderful works of Christ Jesus, which have been characterized as miracles. Christian Science thus ascribes the correct meaning to miracle, revealing only one law, the law of divine Principle, Love, the law which is controlling the spiritual universe and man.

From between two and three centuries after the time of Christ Jesus until the advent of Christian Science, many thousands of professing Christians had yearned to do the works which he did, but could not, because of a lack of understanding that "these mighty works are not supernatural, but supremely natural" (ibid., Pref., p. xi).

We learn in Christian Science that since man, the real man, is sustained entirely by God, who is Love, one may rightfully expect to experience nothing but good. Sometimes the abundance of good which comes to one as the result of truly understanding and reflecting God may be looked upon humanly as wonderful or miraculous. Nevertheless, it is only what he is led to expect, and, moreover, what he may actually claim, as his reward for following in the Master's footsteps since the light of Christian Science shone on his pathway. Jesus said, "He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also." We are given "power to become the sons of God;" and thus we look for the manifestation of His power and love. This is the wonderful teaching of Christian Science. It shows us how to express and experience the dominion which belongs to man, as related in the first chapter of Genesis.

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The Open Door
January 22, 1938
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