Article February 6, 2006 Issue

HOW STRONG ARE YOUR POLITICAL VIEWS?

BY RICHARD BERGENHEIM

"The time for thinkers has come." This arresting statement appears on the first page of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy. A declaration like this knocks sharply on the door of thought, asking, Are we open to new ideas? Are we willing to reexamine our points of view, or are we afraid to accept the challenge of thinking about things from a new perspective?

I have to admit there is a certain self-satisfaction that goes with sticking to the tried and true. We are comfortable with our habits of thought. Our opinions, our points of view, our likes and dislikes—these have developed over years of living. Why do they need to be challenged? Rethought? Reexamined?

Yet, right on the first page, Science and Health admits that it intends to stir thought through the presentation of its revolutionary view of God and man. Not only this, it introduces a new way of living this relationship with God and His/Her creation. Science and Health is a revelation of divine ideas designed to spark a revolution in thought and behavior. It is important, then, to remind ourselves that revelation and revolution are not synonymous terms. Revelation signifies a new, inspired view; revolution signifies a drastic change. Normally, people will eagerly embrace the first, but many may struggle a lot when it demands the second.