Editorial August 5, 1991 Issue

Christian healing, no passing fad

Michael D. Rissler

Certain words become popular, like a fad. They don't even need to be words in one's own language. For example, I doubt that anyone reading this magazine isn't familiar with the Russian word glasnost. Phrases can become universally recognized as well. Take, for example, "It's the real thing" or "Do your own thing." These words become woven into daily conversation.

Even more significant is how the word healing is becoming a catch phrase in popular discussion today. We hear about the need for healing almost everywhere. Societies are said to be in need of healing; institutions are spoken of in terms of healing need; and, human relationships are frequently discussed in terms of the need or potential for healing. Look in almost any newspaper over several days and you'll find healing used to describe many human needs. Healing has become modern jargon.

There's something hopeful in healing's becoming so commonly thought and talked about. Christian Scientists welcome this kind of perspective. Healing is central to Christian Science; healing was certainly central to Christ Jesus and his early followers. Healing is what awakened a world to Mary Baker Eddy's discovery that Christian healing is not something relegated to the past.

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