Article October 4, 1947 Issue

"IF THERE REALLY IS A GOD"

[Original article in German]

FRIEDRICH PRELLER

As Paul proclaimed to the men of Athens the unknown God, so Christian Science reveals to mankind the true concept of God, Love, who sends no evil. Many entertain this ideal in thought, but consider it impossible of realization and demonstration because it is so contrary to the troubles they are experiencing and which they often attribute to the will of God. If in their daily lives inharmony in the form of sickness, lack, or some other phase of misfortune presents itself, they are apt to exclaim, "If there really is a God, He cannot and will not permit this to happen."

The same almost reproachful exclamation may be voiced when war, catastrophe, or something similar has shaken whole nations, treading under foot natural human rights, and leaving mortals unable mentally to cope with what they call fate. Then they reason that there is no God, and that man and life are at the mercy of the whims of fate.

The point of view that since God is omniscient He must be cognizant of evil, hence able to perceive, destroy, mitigate, or increase the misery of mortals, seems perfectly logical to human sense. Who would reproach one holding this point of view for his doubt and ignorance? Has not Christendom been so taught for centuries? Does not this doubt indicate a desire for righteousness, and cannot the words, "If there really is a God," be considered rather as a protest against the concept of God promulgated by theologians from time immemorial? Is not this outcry, so frequently wrung from a despairing heart, in direct opposition to the words of the Scriptures, which say of God (Hab. 1:13), "Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity"?

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