Article November 11, 1985 Issue

Ask the right questions

VICTORIA K. DELL

When Jesus healed, his practice wasn't to question the patient to determine the specific name or cause of the disorder or to ask how he felt. Rather, Jesus saw the perfect man of God's creating. In the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health, Mrs. Eddy describes the Master's method of healing in these words: "Jesus beheld in Science the perfect man, who appeared to him where sinning mortal man appears to mortals. In this perfect man the Saviour saw God's own likeness, and this correct view of man healed the sick."^{Science and Health, pp. 476-477.} Questions based on sense testimony don't promote such a Christlike view.

But asking the right questions can be valuable. In fact, it is only natural to ask questions to learn. In Science and Health, one entire chapter, "Recapitulation," is devoted to questions and answers, which form also the basis of Christian Science class teaching.

Asking hypothetical questions based on what the physical senses are telling us about a bodily condition may lead to deeper confusion. The Bible cautions, "Foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes." ^{II Tim. 2:23.} In The New English Bible this is translated, "Have nothing to do with foolish and ignorant speculations." Such speculation leaves us still servants rather than masters of our bodies.