In the Christian Science Bible Lesson April 8, 2013 Issue

Spiritual reasoning

For the Lesson titled "Are Sin, Disease, and Death Real?" from April 8 - 14, 2013

Michael Hamilton

Spiritual reasoning is of prime importance in Christian Science. Mary Baker Eddy wrote, “God is infinite, therefore ever present, and there is no other power nor presence” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 471, citation 1). Dictionary definitions of therefore include “for that reason … ; because of that; on that ground,” showing the relation of cause to effect, and help us answer the question, “Are Sin, Disease, and Death Real?”

The eight sections of this Christian Science Bible Lesson reason with the reader: No sin, sickness, or death is real in God’s presence; therefore, we can prove their unreality in practical, healing ways through an understanding of God. 

Three Bible narratives are offered as case studies: a parable of repentance and redemption (see Luke 15:10–24, cit. 8); a Gospel account of the healing of disease (see John 5:1–9, cit. 13); and a story of restoration to life after an accidental death (see Acts 20:7–12, cit. 17). Each of these extended sections is preceded by a shorter one that includes a statement that can be applied to any case of sin, disease, or death. 