Article May 24, 1975 Issue

Words of Current Interest

Related to the Lesson-Sermon for June 1, 1975, in the CHRISTIAN SCIENCE QUARTERLY Subject: Ancient and Modern Necromancy, alias Mesmerism and Hypnotism, Denounced

The church in Thyatira (Rev. 2:18)

Many of the citizens of Thyatira, in western Asia Minor, belonged to trade guilds and other social groups whose customs sometimes ran counter to the ideals of Christianity. Those who belonged to its Church were faced with the choice of strict fidelity to Christian standards or of accommodation to pagan ways in the interest of conviviality. The choice was made particularly acute by the preaching of a prophetess (see v. 20 and following), a member of the Christian community, who argued compellingly for accommodation. F. V. Filson observes, "It was hard for a small minority movement such as the Thyatira church to be cut off from the friendships and social life that assumed the legitimacy of polytheism.... But the Christian faith was at stake in this decision...."

That they may keep thee from the strange woman (Prov. 7:5)

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