Article March 6, 1978 Issue

"Salvation . . . is more than an overnight happening"

Is Christian Science evangelical?

CAROL CHAPIN LINDSEY

Many would answer no to this question. People tend to think of evangelicals as belonging to some of the larger Protestant denominations.

Evangelism, we might say, is most commonly viewed as religion that puts personal salvation and a subjective experience of being converted—that is, "born again" or "saved"—in a central position. Regarding Jesus as a personal Saviour and accepting the Bible literally are often part of evangelical tenets. And public profession may be a dramatic event for the convert.

In significant ways Christian Science brings fresh insights into the nature of evangelism. This Science—too vast ever to be correctly considered a sect or a cult—asks of its adherents a continuing deep searching of thought and a high discipline of it in order to bring consciousness and action progressively into line with spiritual facts. These include one God, Spirit, and one perfect spiritual creation, as well as perfect spiritual man. Only by thinking and living in accord with this starting point, says this Science, can the human being be scientifically regenerated—"born again."

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