Article March 11, 1939 Issue

Spiritual Vision

F. MILDRED RICKMAN

IN the first chapter of the Gospel of John we read, "No man hath seen God at any time." This is in agreement with what Moses understood when, in the divine message on Mount Sinai, he was told, "Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live." Yet, in reply to Philip's request, "Shew us the Father," Christ Jesus said to his disciples, "He that hath seen me hath seen the Father." Viewed from a materialistic standpoint, these two statements appear incompatible; but can the Bible ever be practically understood if studied from this mistaken standpoint?

When Mary Baker Eddy gave to the world her elucidation of her great discovery Christian Science, which was to prove an ever-present guide, healer, and Comforter to all mankind, she named her textbook "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." Countless individuals have learned with the aid of this "key" to the Scriptures to read understandingly a volume which before they had frequently set aside as incomprehensible, because on the surface many of its statements appeared to blind human sense to be contradictory. In the Glossary in the textbook, Mrs. Eddy explains the meaning of many words used in the Bible. In considering the verses quoted above in the light of this valuable "key" we find the following explanation (p. 586): "Eyes. Spiritual discernment,—not material but mental. Jesus said, thinking of the outward vision, 'Having eyes, see ye not?' (Mark viii. 18.)" The statements then no longer seem to be contradictory: for in the negation the sight referred to is mortal, material vision. At no time can the material senses cognize Spirit and that which is spiritual. Jesus' affirmative words mean that he mentally discerns good in some measure sees God, through the Christ, the manifestation of divine Love. He has seen God because he has consciously experienced in some degree his own relation with the Father.

In Christian Science we acknowledge God, Spirit, as All; therefore spiritual sense is the only real sense. The belief that matter can ever see, hear, feel, touch, taste, is an illusion which a further study of scientific Christianity irrefutably proves to be unreal. Logically, since Spirit is all, matter is nothing, nonexistent. But humanity is often reluctant to accept without question so comprehensive a statement, and each must prove its truth for himself in practical application and individual demonstration. God is perfect, infinite Spirit. Therefore His creation is spiritual, the only creation; and man, the spiritual idea of God, is the perfect likeness of the Father. Thus, in spiritual man we see the Father reflected.

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