Editorial May 16, 1970 Issue

Man's Potential

Helen Wood Bauman

An article in a recent issue of Saturday Review discussed the human potential. It mentioned several well-known behavioral scientists who believe that human beings are functioning at a small fraction of their capacities, even, one writer estimates," as little as 5 percent. The author, Dr. Herbert A. Otto, says, "Man essentially remains a mystery. From the depths of this mystery there are numerous indicators of the human potential." Saturday Review, December 20, 1969, p. 14 ; And he likens our knowledge of this potential to the small part of the iceberg that is seen above the water.

These scientists were referring to the human self and not to spiritual, individual man, who, according to Scriptural revelation, is made in God's likeness. If only 5 or possibly 10 percent of the human individual's potential is being utilized, one wonders what percent of the real man's potential is being expressed. The question is how to tap the latent abilities of God's man.

By lifting efforts to increase the capabilities of mankind by means of human research and exploration to basing them firmly on the understanding of man as God's image, or reflection, Christian Scientists make definite headway in overcoming the limitations of material belief. Of course, this takes work. It calls for persistent recognition of God as the only Mind of man and for abandonment of the belief that the mind of man is mortal and terribly restricted.

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