Article March 19, 1966 Issue

Interpretations, Not Interpolations

ALICE WIRTH CALKINS

The arresting statement, "The truths of Christian Science are not interpolations of the Scriptures, but the spiritual interpretations thereof," is made by Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, in "Retrospection and Introspection" (p. 35). She adds, "Science is the prism of Truth, which divides its rays and brings out the hues of Deity." When the great truths of the Bible are understood through the teachings of Christian Science we shall have no desire to make "interpolations." Rather, through "the prism of Truth," we shall begin to see and understand the infinitely varied facets of God's goodness.

Mrs. Eddy tells us plainly in her writings that this Science is an inspired discovery, not an invention. Through diligent search of the Scriptures she was finally led to discover and interpret the true meaning of the teachings and works of Christ Jesus. She discovered for all mankind and for all time that the healing works of Jesus are not merely unrelated and isolated incidents but rather the result of a divine healing Principle, the thread of which runs through the Bible, as exemplified even before the Christian era by the great prophets.

Our study of Science constantly turns us to the Bible. For instance, the first tenet of our religion, found in our textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by our Leader, Mrs. Eddy, reads (p. 497), "As adherents of Truth, we take the inspired Word of the Bible as our sufficient guide to eternal Life." In accord with this tenet we continue to explore the Bible, making the inspired Word our own as we study earnestly and understand the true, spiritually scientific interpretations pointed out for us in our Leader's writings. A wonderful opportunity is afforded us for daily study of the Bible in our Lesson-Sermons, found in the Christian Science Quarterly, in which the Bible references are listed with correlative citations from our textbook.

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