IN THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE BIBLE LESSON September 8, 2008 Issue

TRUE SUBSTANCE: EQUALITY FOR ALL

MICHAEL HAMILTON

THE MOST HELPFUL FEATURES for me in this Lesson titled "Substance" are the five Biblical narratives used to illustrate the main ideas of Sections II to VI. These stories — "profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (II Tim. 3:16, Section 1, Bible citation 1) — not only show that the teachings of Science and Health correlate with the Bible, but also that these teachings are simultaneously spiritual and practical, promoting fairness and equality.

For example, in Section III, a widow appeals to the prophet Elisha for help. Her possessions and children are to be confiscated by creditors for unpaid debts. If you've been touched by the mortgage crisis in the United States, you'll understand this woman's situation. Note that Elisha directs her to begin with what she has — a pot of oil — and then helps her see that it's more than what she's understood it to be. In fact, she has neither too little nor too much; when after she borrows jars at Elisha's request, and the jars reach their capacity to hold the oil he tells her to pour into them, that oil "stays" — stops flowing (see II Kings 4:1-7, cit. 8).

Increased understanding accompanies the appearance of needed supplies again in Section VI (Matt. 17:24-27, cit. 17). Jesus teaches Peter a lesson on the spiritual status of God's creation before sending him to find coins in the mouth of a fish. Would Peter have even known where to look, or what to hook, if he'd gone fishing without first reasoning spiritually with the Master?

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