Article May 28, 1938 Issue

Why Do I Attend Church?

[Original article in German]

ELFRIEDE LINDE-EBBINGHAUS

A student of Christian Science found himself confronted with the question, "Why do I attend church?" Again and again it knocked at the door of his thought. To his own amazement he could not at once give himself a clear and concise answer. He saw, however, that the question had not arisen to be merely laid aside, and that he must carefully consider it.

Whoever sincerely endeavors to progress in Christian Science will try to answer this question through spiritual understanding. Very soon after Christian Science came into his life he found his concept of church undergoing a change. Indeed, it could not be otherwise. Formerly when conversation turned to church, he doubtless thought of church as a visible structure, a human institution and organization. Now, however, he had learned in Christian Science that all that is real rests on a spiritual foundation, for Spirit, God, is the one creator. He alone creates all that really exists. Then the real Church is wholly spiritual. Part of the definition of "Church" given by Mary Baker Eddy in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 583) is, "The structure of Truth and Love; whatever rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle." Christian Science teaches that God is Life, Truth, and Love, divine Principle. Accordingly, the true Church is spiritual, established and maintained by God, divine Principle.

God is Mind, and is expressed through His ideas. These ideas reflect creative Mind. Thus the true Church stands sublime, above the material structure. As "the structure of Truth and Love" it remains untouched by any mortal discord, earthly conflict, worldly discussion, or foolish greed for power. It stands eternal and unshakable above all changes in the visible world. Yet it is not imperceptible, since, through spiritual sense, we can behold the true Church.

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