Article July 13, 1957 Issue

THE SCIENTIFIC DENIAL OF ERROR

RONALD GRAY WALKER

Christian Science teaches the importance of dealing with every claim of so-called mortal mind as well as affirming the truth of perfect God and perfect man. In the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mary Baker Eddy says (p. 339), "You conquer error by denying its verity." When, in spite of our most prayerful and constant affirmations of the truth, our problems refuse to yield, it may be well for us to ask ourselves, "Am I denying the error specifically and scientifically?"

Christian Scientists learn to recognize that although in an absolute sense error is nonexistent, it does appear to be real to mortal sense. Consequently it is necessary to deny the evidence of the material senses and thus to deprive error of its claim to reality. Our Leader clearly understood the nothingness of error and the importance of rebuking error's spurious beliefs. She writes (ibid., p. 184), "Belief produces the results of belief, and the penalties it affixes last so long as the belief and are inseparable from it." She adds, "The remedy consists in probing the trouble to the bottom, in finding and casting out by denial the error of belief which produces a mortal disorder, never honoring erroneous belief with the title of law nor yielding obedience to it."

Perhaps fear, timidity, or a sense of inadequacy is saying that we cannot deny error effectively because we lack the necessary authority or ability. We must not allow such suggestions to deter us. Christ Jesus never failed to rebuke error in order to uncover and destroy it. Indeed his denial of error was so vigorous and instantaneously effective that the people "were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word is this! for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out" (Luke 4:36).

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