In the Christian Science Bible Lesson April 25, 2011 Issue

God does not punish, but redeems

For the lesson titled "Everlasting Punishment" from April 25-May 1, 2011

Genelle Austin-Lett

What wonderful promises of eternal forgiveness fill this week’s Bible Lesson, titled “Everlasting Punishment.” Through the centuries religion and the arts have portrayed a judgment day with a deific figure unrolling a scroll filled with good or bad actions that lead to heavenly bliss or endless punishment. Yet, transformation, not punishment, is the result of God’s unconditional love .

The Lesson exposes varying degrees of imprisoned thought that God rescues and redeems, where mortals might condemn or punish. 

In Section I, God forgives Manasseh, the most evil king in the Bible. You can replace his name with any historically known tyrant past or present, but the results will be the same: “The design of Love is to reform the sinner” (Science and Health, p. 35, citation 5), not punish. 