Article June 1, 1946 Issue

Health under God's Government

PAUL J. LICHTENFELS

One of the most far-reaching revelations of Christian Science is the truth that health is a spiritual quality of man, who is in reality the likeness of Spirit, God. Health is not a quality that man must attain or maintain. Health is God-bestowed on man, and thus is forever inseparable from him. Health is one with man, even as man is one with God, for it is the evidence of the oneness of being, God and man, divine Principle and its harmonious idea.

The world is largely mistaken in its concept of health. The belief that health is a purely physical condition carries with it the equally erroneous belief that health is subject to impairment or loss. This leads to the further error that health can be maintained or regained by human means, such as exercise, diet, or drugs. These human methods invite failure because of their false material basis. The Scriptural account of the woman with the issue of blood is typical of the experience of countless people who have relied upon material means since that time. According to Mark's version of the incident (5:26), she "had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse." This woman appealed to Christ Jesus and was instantly healed.

Immediateness was an outstanding quality of Jesus' healings, and Christian Scientists strive to accomplish this type of healing, which, unlike medical practice, does not emphasize time as a factor or consider convalescence as a necessary element of recovery. It is very significant that in her published writings Mary Baker Eddy does not use the word "convalesce." Materia medica treats matter as the procuring cause of disease, while Christian Science discloses that matter is nonintelligent and disease is a concept of erroneous thought. Christian Science heals disease through the power of divine Mind, God, by lifting thought out of the mistaken notion that being is physical into an apprehension of spiritual existence.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

Lessons from an Airplane