IN THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE BIBLE LESSON October 12, 2009 Issue

PERMANENT, HEALING RECONCILIATION

MADELON MAUPIN MILES

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WITH SO MUCH ONGOING conflict in the world today, I found that this week's Christian Science Bible Lesson on "Doctrine of Atonement" offers helpful instruction on the underlying nature of permanent, healing reconciliation. It shows how Jesus' teachings, which emphasize our relationship to a God who is Love, prove our unbroken connection to our Creator.

The New Testament uses the Greek word katallásso for reconciliation, with a predominating thought of "change," "to change," "to exchange," and "to reconcile" or "reconcile oneself." To reconcile is to end conflict between people or put them back on friendly terms—to restore to harmony, as in ending factions.