In the Christian Science Bible Lesson September 10, 2012 Issue

Learn to refuse the myth of matter

For the lesson titled "Matter" from September 10-16, 2012

Nancy Fischer—Allen, Texas

Did you ever study mythology?   I learned that, although unquestionably believed by ancient Greeks and Romans, myths are fictitious—fables about imaginary situations, not to be accepted as true, real, or life-affecting. This week’s Bible Lesson exposes its subject, “Matter,” to be as flimsy and false as any other myth. The Lesson also reveals powerful truths with which we can replace matter’s limiting, obscure myths and find wholeness and freedom. 

The Golden Text (I Timothy 4:7, English Standard Version) provides a handy guide to measure every thought and act. We learn what to refuse: “Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths,” and what to do: “Rather train yourself for godliness.” The Lesson helps us apply this guide to our life.

In the Responsive Reading (Isaiah 40 and 42), the prophet Isaiah, writing during the dark times of the Babylonian Exile, brings God’s promise of freedom and light to an imprisoned world. Section I presents the solid foundation of God’s Word as the basis of all creation (see John 1:1, citation 1) in contrast to the “mythical human theories of creation” that sprang from ancient Greek and Roman scholars (Mary Baker Eddy, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 255, cit. 4).