Article February 1, 1969 Issue

A College Student Writes

Ideal Models

RICHARD LEE PETERS

During his college experience a student may be introduced to many concepts through the use of ''ideal models," such as ideal gases, ideal political systems, or ideal verbal communication, to name a few. Although these models serve as useful bases for illustration, the student recognizes, however, that they are hypothetical, that the seeming nature of things precludes the possibility of ever attaining the state they describe. Instead limitations and deviations must be imposed before actual conditions are reached.

College students who are also Christian Scientists make use of yet another ideal model, set forth in the Bible statement, "God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him."  Gen. 1:27; These students hold that this ideal—man in God's image—is the true explanation of man. They learn of God in Mrs. Eddy's words, "The great I am; the all-knowing, all-seeing, all-acting, all-wise, all-loving, and eternal; Principle; Mind; Soul; Spirit; Life; Truth; Love; all substance; intelligence."  Science and Health, p. 587; This definition of God, which clearly indicates His allness, is given in the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health.

Now if all is Principle, there can be no inharmony. If all is Spirit, there can be no matter. If all is Truth, there can be no error. So reasoning, the Christian Scientist declares that man in God's image must be harmonious, spiritual, and perfect, that nothing can remove him from this state, and that he is the only man there is. That which appears as a mortal is only a mortal dream, a mistaken sense of the real man. This reasoning brings us to the great difference between ideal material models and the ideal spiritual model in Christian Science.

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