The journey of transformation

“Probation After Death” is one of the theological topics Mary Baker Eddy anticipated would be at the forefront of thought through the centuries. And so it is. Just look at the book sales for Proof of Heaven: A Neurosurgeon’s Journey into the Afterlife by Eben Alexander (discussed in the Sentinel, December 3, 2012, “Heaven is here” by Madora Kibbe).

This week’s Bible Lesson answers that epic question: Is there life after death? It explains the seeming irony that we can experience the “heaven” that people seek (peace, joy, freedom, life) here and now by walking with Spirit, God. The Apostle Paul captures the mental nature of this transition in his letter to the Romans, used in the Golden Text: “To set
the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace” (8:6, English Standard Version).

A dramatic scriptural example of this present walk with Spirit is related in the Responsive Reading, when Christ Jesus is transfigured before his disciples (see Matthew 17:1–9 ). Time and matter recede as Peter, James, and John witness the Master speaking with the two titans of the Israelites: Moses, representing the law, and Elijah, the prophets.

Section 1 provides a fourth biblical example of one who “walked with God.” Genesis 5:21–24 explains that Enoch fathered his son Methuselah at age 65 and went on to live an extremely long life. The New Testament author of Hebrews attributes Enoch’s remarkable experience to faith: “By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death” (Hebrews 11:5 , citation 4).

Section 2 dispels the notion that death is some magical pass to eternal life. “Mortals need not fancy that belief in the experience of death will awaken them to glorified being” (Mary Baker Eddy, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 291 , cit. 6). Instead, Paul speaks of the spiritual transformation required in the present. He explains to the Corinthians the profound difference between Adam and Christ—the former representing the mortal and dying, and the latter, the immortal and living (see I Corinthians 15:48–54 , cit. 8).

Section 3 takes us further down the path of understanding that spiritual growth occurs not with a silver bullet or quick solution, but through moment-by-moment endeavor. In First Samuel, the character portrait of Saul, Israel’s first king, reveals the king’s anger and jealousy over David’s popularity (see 18:5–12 , cit. 10). “Man’s enslavement to the most relentless masters—passion, selfishness, envy, hatred, and revenge—is conquered only by a mighty struggle” (Science and Health, p. 407 , cit. 13).

Section 4 provides a map for this transformative journey: “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2 , cit. 13). Eddy identifies the developing moral traits, such as humanity, meekness, and honesty, as transitional qualities or “Second Degree: Evil beliefs disappearing” (Science and Health, p. 115 , cit. 16). 

This road map for spiritual growth moves on to the qualities of wisdom, purity, and love—the “Third Degree: Understanding” (p. 116 , cit. 20), illustrated by Christ Jesus’ raising of Jairus’ daughter from the dead (see Mark 5, cit. 16). “Proof of heaven” indeed!