Article February 1, 1975 Issue

Solving the Problem of Being

LOWELL N. CANNON

What exactly is the problem of being? Is it solvable? If so, how does one go about solving it? And what is the solution? Christian Science offers a definite answer to each of these profound questions.

Suppose for a moment that one were faced with a challenging mathematical problem. How would one approach it? Although there is no fixed way to solve all mathematical problems, there is a general procedure a student of mathematics normally follows. First, he examines the problem carefully to determine exactly what is being asked. Next, he may refer to his mathematics textbook, or other books, for the definitions, rules, and examples involved. Then he proceeds, step by step, to work out the solution by applying what he has learned from his study. Finally—provided he is obedient to the rules, exact in his computations, and persistent in his efforts— the student arrives at the correct answer.

A student of Christian Science can use a similar approach to his first steps in solving the problem of being. First, he needs to understand what is meant by the problem of being. A problem may be defined as a question raised to be solved, sometimes a perplexing mystery. One meaning of "being" is the substance, nature, or essence of existence. So the problem of being might be defined as the need to find an answer to the perplexing question or mystery of the substance, nature, or essence of existence. Mortal theories, based on physical sense testimony, say that matter and matter-brain and the thoughts it generates are the sum and substance of existence. Christian Science denies matter's existence and affirms that all is Spirit, Mind, and its infinite spiritual manifestation. This apparent conflict between the material and the spiritual sense of being must be resolved before the problem of being can be fully solved.

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