In the Christian Science Bible Lesson August 13, 2012 Issue

Infinite intelligence–instantaneously

For the lesson titled "Mind" from August 13-19, 2012

Madelon Maupin—Newport Beach, California

In a world where NASA announces that the Hubble Space Telescope recently discovered a new cluster of billions of galaxies, and scientists use nanotechnology to explore the subatomic and molecular level, the natural question arises: Is there an overarching intelligence behind it all? 

Both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible provide the answer, even without today’s sophisticated measuring and viewing devices. The eighth-century BC prophet, Isaiah, caught the divine origin of ideas when he wrote: “The Lord of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass” (Isaiah 14:24, Golden Text).

Building on this passage, which is the heart of this Bible Lesson, titled “Mind,” the Apostle Paul also comprehends the spiritual nature of intelligence, demonstrated through his three-decade career of sharing the gospel by relying on God’s guidance and direction. In his letter to the Roman church, Paul declares: “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!” (Romans 11:33, Responsive Reading). The word wisdom in Paul’s statement is from the Greek, sophos. But unlike the Greek’s man-centered understanding of the term, the biblical meaning is God-centered, showing not only a fear (reverence) of God but an understanding of Him.