Editorial October 9, 1954 Issue

A PROVABLE THEOLOGY

Helen Wood Bauman

Christ Jesus' words, "The tree is known by his fruit" (Matt. 12: 33), state the test of true theology. In any line of activity what is true is effective; it brings results. This is especially true of one's conception of God. There is but one truth concerning Deity, and he who understands that truth and comes to logical conclusions regarding man and the universe because of that fundamental understanding, brings forth the fruits of righteousness and health. He is confident that the theology he has accepted is true because it is provable.

The fact that great numbers are healed by reading "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," in which Mary Baker Eddy sets forth in full the theology of Christian Science, should inspire confidence in the truth of its teachings. Soon in one's study of this Science one finds that its theology, which includes the healing of all phases of error, is based upon the Scriptures, especially the precepts of Christ Jesus. The Master taught and proved that God, the only creator of man, is the loving Father, whose will for man is health, abundance, purity, immortality—all that is good. He also taught the powerlessness and unreality of error, describing the devil, or evil, as having "no truth in him" (John 8:44). Jesus once said (John 7:16, 17): "My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself."

Christian Science makes the same request. It asks that individuals apply its doctrines in the spirit of humility and teachableness and reverence and thus see for themselves what scientific theology can accomplish. A friend of mine, who had read Science and Health without particular spiritual interest in it, once found herself in violent pain. This happened in the middle of the night and, being reluctant to disturb her household, she turned to prayer for help. Suddenly she began wondering what a student of Christian Science would do if he found himself in a similar situation. She recalled some of its basic theological points and began reasoning that the Scientist would know that because God is infinite good and All-in-all there can be no pain; that pain is an illusion, an impossibility—something unknown to man in God's image. Instantly her suffering ceased. She went to sleep and awoke in the morning well and happy.

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