IN THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE BIBLE LESSON June 16, 2008 Issue

Because next week's Kids' issue won't include this column, we're providing two here.

A REVELATION ROOTED IN THE SCRIPTURES

MICHAEL HAMILTON

AS I STUDIED this week's Bible Lesson, I saw and appreciated how relevant Christian Science is to understanding the Bible, and how important the Scriptures are to Christian Science—as a resource for spiritual growth, guide for moral living, and pathway to the promised Comforter.

The writers of the New Testament epistles (or letters) II Timothy and Romans, excerpted in the first two sections of the Lesson (Section I, citation 5, Sect. II, cit. 6), show how important Scripture is in building a Christian life. It's interesting to note that they are probably referring primarily to the Hebrew Scriptures, or Old Testament; the New Testament canon hadn't been fully developed at that time. The religious education of children was an important parental and community duty in Judaism. Synagogues also served as schools for children. The writer may be urging Timothy (II Tim. 3:14, 15, cit. 5) to remember his early training in the Hebrew Scriptures, and those who have invested in his spiritual growth.

Moving into Section II, these same Scriptures, "written aforetime" were also foundational to Paul's development as an apostle and evangelist—just as they are today to individual study and spiritual growth in Christian Science. The "hope" he refers to (Rom. 15:4, cit. 6) is the prophets' promise of a messiah, realized in the advent of Christ Jesus.