Editorial October 22, 1966 Issue

The Relevance of Christian Science

Helen Wood Bauman

Christian Science is Christian. It never leaves the foundational teachings of Christ Jesus: God the one Father of all, man the beloved son of God, Christ the divine ideal, Spirit the only substance, law the divine will. Jesus consistently showed the relevance of these truths to human life. His absolute statements were far from mere abstractions; they had a powerful effect upon people. He implemented his statements of spiritual facts by radically eliminating whatever claimed to reverse them. He proved the power of Truth. He revealed reality. He showed up the falsity, the unreality, of materialism.

Jesus educated the people who would listen to him. He made clear what was good for them, and some of them didn't like it. They left the ranks of his followers. Perhaps they helped to crucify him later on. Those who were faithful found that all the Master taught could be applied in practical ways. Many could heal. Some could raise the dead. They possessed a spiritual joy that made life worth living even in the face of scorn and persecution.

Jesus' educational method included preaching and healing as well as teaching. He spoke of himself as "a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God."^{ John 8:40;} Mary Baker Eddy says, "Lives there a man who can better define ethics, better elucidate the Principle of being, than he who 'spake as never man spake,' and whose precepts and example have a perpetual freshness in relation to human events?"^{ Miscellaneous Writings, p. 269;}