Article October 14, 1967 Issue

Why Have a Diagnosis?

WILLIAM R. NEEDLES

The belief that man is a corporeal person made up of organic matter has resulted in the generally accepted theory that his health and activity depend upon a material body. This leads to the opinion accepted by some that one needs to have a physical checkup, and even to repeat this checkup periodically, to find out if there is anything wrong that needs attention. Today many corporations and business firms require an applicant to submit to a physical examination before he is employed or his application is finally considered.

Christian Science approaches man's well-being in an entirely different manner. It reveals through its teachings that instead of being a corporeal person made up of organic matter, man is, in his real being, spiritual, made in the image and likeness of God as the Scriptures declare. Thus, as the image and likeness of God, Spirit, man is inorganic, of the substance of Spirit.

Mrs. Eddy makes this illuminating statement about man: "In Science, man is the manifest reflection of God, perfect and immortal Mind. He is the likeness of God; and His likeness would be lost if inverted or perverted."^{Rudimental Divine Science, p. 7;} And again, "Man is the expression of God's being."^{Science and Health, p. 470;} As such, man directly shows forth qualities of Life, Truth, and Love in health, freedom, and perfect being. Thus his intactness and well-being are forever established because he is always the expression of God, of perfect, divine Being.