The Human Problem

Lloyd B. Coate

Mechanicsburg. (O.) Item

If "All is infinite Mind and its infinite manifestation" (Science and Health, p. 468), why is it we should feel called upon to speak to "erring mind," "mortal mind," and treat it all through the book as if it had an actual existence? The Bible teaches that God is All-in-all and besides Him there is no God, yet it speaks of many forms of sin that are to be met and mastered in human consciousness before we fully realize the truth of God's allness and omnipresence. We must have the true statement of being presented before we can work out the problems. Jesus taught that we should be as perfect as the Father. Here is the perfection of Christianity set forth, but humanity must start from where it is and work up to that state of consciousness.

To the human sense of things, sin and disease exist as a stern fact, and are to be overcome through the right understanding of God. To a novice, false tones exist, and they prevent him from expressing harmony, but as his thought becomes attuned to the laws of music, these false tones disappear. As mankind better understands God and is governed by His law, sin and sickness will begin to disappear in the Christ way. Sin, sickness, and death have no existence in the divine Mind, God, and the beloved disciple John speaks of the time when there will be no more pain, sorrow, sin, or death.

Christian Scientists are professed Christians endeavoring to obey to the best of their understanding what Jesus taught, and his command to heal the sick applies no more to them than to other professing Christians. Christian Scientists are endeavoring to obey this command as well preach the gospel. Healing the sick through Christian means is a practical application of Gospel-preaching such as Jesus gave to the world.

As to results obtained, Christian Scientists are willing to compare their record with that of any system of healing medicine. The fact that the disciples failed in an instance of healing did not prove Christianity false. Jesus' reproof, if heeded, would inspire them to strive all the more to attain the same understanding he had. A mistake on the part of a beginner to solve a problem does not prove mathematics to be false. Neither does a failure in Christian Science prove its statement of Principle to be erroneous, but such instances inspire Christian Science practitioners to strive more diligently to understand better the promises of the Master.

The application of all Bible promises to mankind is a matter of experiment on the part of each individual until he tests them and proves to his own satisfaction their truthfulness.

Lloyd B. Coate.
In Mechanicsburg. (O.) Item.

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