Article October 7, 1950 Issue

GIVING UP THE BELIEF IN DEATH

[Original article in German]

MARIA SCHLOZ

Christian Science brings us glad tidings of freedom and of the redemption of men from sin, disease, and death. Those who have learned to understand this Science by earnestly studying and applying its teachings recognize clearly that it is the Comforter promised us by Christ Jesus. As Mary Baker Eddy herself tells us, God dictated to her all that the textbook contains, and she herself studied the divine message daily. She says in her textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 426), "The relinquishment of all faith in death and also of the fear of its sting would raise the standard of health and morals far beyond its present elevation, and would enable us to hold the banner of Christianity aloft with unflinching faith in God, in Life eternal."

Until belief in the so-called last enemy is overcome, a shadow seems to be cast which prevents a true sense of happiness. For generations all mankind, even the Christian world, has believed that death is a natural, inevitable, and insurmountable fact. And yet Jesus, the great proclaimer of eternal truths, the one who overcame death, said (John 8:51), "If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death," meaning that he who clings unreservedly to what I have taught can be conscious of uninterrupted life.

Even when the physical form of Jesus was lying in the sepulcher, never for a moment was the true Jesus, the individual spiritual idea, conscious of death, but only of uninterrupted life. It was for our sake that the Master suffered the crucifixion, that through his mighty and moving demonstration over death we might forever be healed of the fear of death and cease to be bondsmen. In the wonderful prayer he left us Jesus said (John 17:3), "This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." He revealed the way to complete freedom from sin and death.

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