Article May 16, 1970 Issue

"This is my beloved son"

ESTHER K. MARKO

For generations theological teachings depicting man as naturally a sinner gave humanity little expectation of attaining God's free and full approval. Sacrifice and sin-offerings as practiced in Judaic and other early forms of worship were too often based on the concept of a god of retribution. Only with the advent of Christ Jesus were mankind introduced to the new concept of God as unchanging Love and of man as the son of God. As Christianity spread, the new gospel of God's unbroken love for His creation revolutionized people's attitude toward their Maker and each other.

In our own age, another spiritual prophet arose to confirm the Master's teachings and throw light on the manner of his healing. Mrs. Eddy's contribution to the liberation of mankind from ignorance and fear cannot yet be estimated. She writes in Science and Health, "Ignorance of God is no longer the stepping-stone to faith. The only guarantee of obedience is a right apprehension of Him whom to know aright is Life eternal." ^{ Science and Health, Pref., p. vii;}

For ages the attention of thinkers has been directed toward knowing God aright, gaining a correct concept of the creator. Bible history traces the emergence of the Israelites from worship of a tribal God, whom they feared and turned to in supplication, to the more merciful God presented by the later prophets. The Psalmist caught a true glimpse of the divine nature when he wrote, "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit : a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise." ^{ Ps. 51:17;} Material sacrifices were exchanged for self-purification. Mankind moved from self-abasement to a higher sense of man and to the hope that they might seek divine recognition and forgiveness.

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