Editorial June 12, 1954 Issue

EXCHANGING BELIEFS FOR IDEAS

Helen Wood Bauman

The material world was defined in new terms, astonishing to humanity, when Mary Baker Eddy published these words in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 478): "From beginning to end, whatever is mortal is composed of material human beliefs and of nothing else." The Christian Scientist learns very early in his study of this textbook that he must exchange the beliefs of the mortal or carnal mind for the spiritual ideas of divine Mind, for God is the only creator, and His universe is spiritual, not material.

Christian Science explains that mortal conceptions have no power to perpetuate themselves. They linger in human experience only as long as mortals believe in their existence. Then the effort of the Christian Scientist is to destroy his belief in their presence and, through spiritual sense, to discern the spiritual ideas they misrepresent. No material condition, no pleasant or unpleasant mortal conception, can even claim to exist unless it is being believed.

One's questions must consequently be: Do I believe this? Do I support the illusion of matter, the appearance of destructible substance, discordant conditions, limited concepts? Or is God, Spirit, All-in-all to me, and is His spiritual creation apparent?

Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.

Send a comment to the editors
NEXT IN THIS ISSUE
Article
Notices
June 12, 1954
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit