Article December 23, 1950 Issue

"RECEIVED THROUGH THE AFFECTIONS"

DOUGLAS ROBERTS

We cannot approach the study of Christian Science with the same mental attitude that we have in studying chemistry, for instance, or music or mathematics. These latter subjects engage the intellect primarily, while the study of Christian Science engages our moral and spiritual nature. One may progress in the study and practice of natural science while his moral character remains unchanged. Not so in the study of divine metaphysics. This study reaches to the depths of our being, causing evil beliefs to be uncovered and destroyed, while the moral and spiritual qualities come to light, reforming and elevating character. Contrasting the acquisition of a knowledge of natural science on the one hand and the affectional approach to the law of God, or Christian Science, on the other, Mary Baker Eddy says (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 172): "Science is divine: it is neither of human origin nor of human direction. That which is termed 'natural science,' the evidences whereof are taken in by the five personal senses, presents but a finite, feeble sense of the infinite law of God; which law is written on the heart, received through the affections, spiritually understood, and demonstrated in our lives."

The childlike heart alone responds to Christian Science. It is receptive, humble, loving, and obedient. It hears God's voice, feels the tender persuasion of His will, and rejoices to be about His business. Jesus said (Luke 10:21), "I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight." The Word of God, expressed in the new tongue of divine Science, must be received and understood intuitively through the affections and spiritual sense. The heart, and not the head, must be the prime factor in this spiritual research. Observance of Judaic law was symbolized by the wearing of phylacteries, containing portions of the Mosaic law, upon the forehead and arm, that the faithful might remember and do the commandments of God. Progress in the understanding and demonstration of Christian Science, however, is symbolized by the cross and the crown. These are "written on the heart" and received only by the meek and lowly. The "wise and prudent" reject the cross of spiritual overcoming as meaningless and unnecessary and thereby lose the crown.

Paul avers (I Cor. 2:14), "The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." Man, the son of God, needs no process of regeneration through human affection up to spiritual understanding. He receives "the things of the Spirit of God" because his discernment is purely spiritual. To the "natural" or mortal man, the counterfeit of the real, God seems nonexistent, and therefore spirituality is "foolishness unto him." When a mortal's sense dream is sufficiently disturbed, however, to cause him to desire something better than mortality, he begins with some sense of humility to search for God. Pride of intellect is lessened, and the affectional consciousness leads on to the spiritual sphere, where the human intellect cannot follow. Then man's true identity, or spiritual selfhood, begins to emerge.

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"RECEIVED THROUGH THE AFFECTIONS"

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