Editorial May 24, 1982 Issue

Consider the context

NATHAN A. TALBOT

Suppose you were asked what happened to Christ Jesus after his crucifixion—what took place during the ensuing days and weeks. The way you answer will depend, to some extent, on how the question comes to you.

For instance, if the query comes from a six-year-old, the flavor of your reply may be quite a bit different from the way you would respond to an adult skeptic who has deep personal doubts about the resurrection and ascension. And your approach would probably be still different if the question were included in an exam you were taking for a New Testament course. The context does make a difference. This is true with so many things in life. The setting of a given event or question or situation can be the deciding factor in how we interpret what it means to us, or how we should respond.

Study of the Bible and Mrs. Eddy's writings can be another example of how this element of context is often significant. Of course, plenty of instances will arise when a particular statement (or maybe a phrase, or even a word all by itself) will provide the exact thought we need for the full solution to a problem. But other times the word or phrase gains special meaning from its context just as a particular jewel is uniquely enhanced by its setting among other precious stones.

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