Article October 27, 1945 Issue

Self-Expression

HENRY J. F. COE

One of the endeavors of modern education is to encourage self-expression. However, from the diversity of methods adopted and the varying results observable, it might seem that there are many differing ways of interpreting this laudable intention. In some instances an onlooker might be pardoned for believing that some young folk are allowed, if not encouraged, to express animal qualities—selfishness, domination, greed, temper, jealousy, noisiness, and other unlovely traits—in the belief that they can thus rid themselves of inhibitions and repressions, and so attain freedom and self-expression.

Possibly it would not be amiss for each of us to ascertain what is the "self" which he really desires to express or to have expressed. Does it appear strange that there should seem to be a choice of "self" to express? We need only turn to the Bible to find Scriptural delineation of the dilemma.

In Genesis 1:26 and 27 we learn that God made man, male and female in His own likeness, and gave this man, God's image, dominion over all. In verse 31 we learn further that "God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good." This is the real or true man, the "self' which Christian Scientists are learning to understand. Then in Genesis 2:7 we read of another "self," this time constructed of dust. What a pitiful travesty of the majesty and grace, the logic and continuity, of the true creation, as depicted in the first chapter of Genesis, is this second account of creation as material and mortal!

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