Editorial October 11, 1958 Issue

"LEAVE THE ANIMAL FOR THE SPIRITUAL"

Helen Wood Bauman

The spiritual development of humanity is the most vital goal of the race. Such development means eventual freedom from bondage to the flesh, from its pains, sins, limitations, its mortality. Christian Science makes the attainment of spiritual freedom possible. In the first place, this Science does not attempt to mix the animal and the spiritual; it follows the precepts of Christ Jesus, who said (John 3:6), "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit."

Instead of considering the human individual as basically sinful, with certain good elements appearing, Christian Science presents him as basically spiritual, with his spirituality only temporarily obscured by the unreal, physical sense of life. This standpoint leaves the human being free to rid himself of what does not belong to man: a carnal mentality expressed as flesh and the aggressions of primitive, sensual instincts. With the spiritual standpoint well established, anyone can resist and overthrow the pernicious desire to behave immorally, because he knows this lawless desire to be foreign to the man he really is, God's image and likeness.

Mary Baker Eddy says in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 37), "In proportion as we oppose the belief in material sense, in sickness, sin, and death, and recognize ourselves under the control of God, spiritual and immortal Mind, shall we go on to leave the animal for the spiritual, and learn the meaning of those words of Jesus, 'Go ye into all the world ... heal the sick."

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Editorial

"MAN IS THE ULTIMATUM OF PERFECTION"