Editorial June 13, 1983 Issue

Diets, exercises, and "health-laws" versus spiritual causation

DeWITT JOHN

In contrast to dreaming our way through life without questioning popular assumptions, Christian Science invites us to become fearless thinkers in the Science that challenges all matter-based conclusions. It prompts us to explore the comforting, healing truths of almighty Spirit, which, when lived and practiced, are found to be demonstrable in terms of inner spirituality and outward well-being.

At every point this Science runs counter to the depressing complacencies of mortal sense. An outstanding example has to do with what we think about our bodies. Today there is much stress on physical structure and processes. People are surfeited with thoughts of the body as a sort of physiological machine, an intricate organic mechanism governed by certain stimuli and dependent on matter for action and control.

Christian Science, however, takes a radically different view of man, body, identity, and causation. It follows unreservedly the root teachings of Christianity as set forth and proved by the Master, Christ Jesus. Its textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, offers this startling observation: "Physical causation was put aside from first to last by this original man, Jesus."^{Science and Health, p. 286.}