Editorial April 19, 1975 Issue

Authority—The Scientific Perspective

Geoffrey J. Barratt

Contemporary history indicates a decline of confidence in many authorities and institutions. But Christian Science makes it possible to learn of absolute and unchanging authority, the authority of divine Truth. While we look merely to social, political, academic authorities for clear direction and ultimate truth we must be disappointed. That only is true, Science shows, which is drawn from divine Truth, God, itself. Science also teaches that such authority is neither abstract nor ineffectual.

The Bible tells us that Christ Jesus spoke "as one having authority."^{Matt. 7:29;} His authority was drawn from his conviction of the presence and irresistibility of divine Truth, and it was confirmed in the works he did. Disease and mental illness surrendered to the divine authority he understood and exercised. Jesus spoke and acted as he did because his authority was derived not from concepts arising in the human brain but from God.

We today cannot find absolute authority merely by walking down the channels of reasoning based on material sensory appearances. Then how can we find it? Mrs. Eddy asserts: "Entirely separate from the belief and dream of material living, is the Life divine, revealing spiritual understanding and the consciousness of man's dominion over the whole earth. This understanding casts out error and heals the sick, and with it you can speak 'as one having authority.'"^{Science and Health, p. 14.}

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