Article August 10, 1946 Issue

There Is But One Man

GEORGINA G. STEVENSON

When we turn to Christian Science for a solution of our human problems, we may as new students, sometimes have difficulty in differentiating between man in God's likeness and a mortal. We may often be confused by a sense of duality. We declare, as taught in Christian Science, that man is spiritual and affirm that he is God's child, loved and cared for. At the same time, as if from a counterpart, we hear a voice whispering: "But here am I. a mortal, afflicted, poor, sinful, and in trouble. What about me?"

In the account of creation found in the first chapter of Genesis we are told that man is created in the image of God. Therefore, according to this record, man reflects in substance and quality what God is—Spirit. Mind, Soul. In the second chapter a diverse account of the creation of man is given. Here the record states that man is formed "of the dust of the ground." a mortal. According to a dictionary, a mortal is "a being subject to death."

These opposite records of creation, the spiritual and the material, have been a source of confusion to the Christian world. In an attempt to reconcile them, it has been believed that man is born a mortal and comes into his spiritual identity, including eternal life and spiritual bliss after death, if haply he escapes eternal punishment for the sins or mistakes he has committed in this world. This doctrine has instilled in many either despair or disbelief in an all-wise creator.

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