Article October 24, 1970 Issue

How to Be a David

BRYAN G. POPE

To destroy darkness, one does not threaten it with light but brings light to it. To destroy an error in mathematics, one does not inveigh against it but brings to it the relevant mathematical facts. In like manner, the Christian Scientist doesn't threaten error with the truth; he advances upon it in the name, or the nature, of God, knowing his true Christly nature as the son or spiritual image and likeness of the one creator, God. To Bible students, these thoughts readily bring to mind the story of David and Goliath. The shepherd lad's challenge to his opponent comes ringing down the centuries: "Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel."I Sam. 17:45;

David's trust in God must have been complete in the face of what appeared to be very great danger. Goliath's supposed invincibility depended solely on the Israelites' fearful conviction that he was unbeatable. For forty days not a soldier, not excepting King Saul, among their many–thousand–strong army did anything but quail before Goliath. Then arrived the one individual who refused to be mesmerized, and to whom the problem, however gigantic, presented an opportunity to prove his God–given ability to overcome it.

It is equally clear that David gave himself what today we would call a Christian Science treatment. He placed his real trust not in his slingstone but in the certainty of the invincibility of his God. The wording of his defiance of Goliath makes this clear. Inspired in this way, he went forward confidently. Had he seen himself as someone who might or might not succeed, whose slingstone might or might not fly straight to its mark, and had he used fallible human will in his efforts to direct it, he might well have failed in his mission.

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No Fear of Fear
October 24, 1970
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