Editorial March 27, 1909 Issue

WHAT GOD CREATES

Annie M. Knott

Those who are beginning to look into Christian Science sometimes ask, Who created all the manifestations of disease, the ravenous beasts, reptiles, and sinful mortals, if God did not ? These inquirers are usually directed to the 1st chapter of Genesis, which gives a full account of God's creation and repeatedly declares it all to be good and "very good." They are also shown many kindred statements throughout the entire Bible—some from the Psalms, where we read: "The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. His work is honorable and glorious: ... He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered." As these and similar passages are pondered in the light thrown upon them by the study of the Christian Science text-book, it is clearly seen that God never could create anything unlike Himself in nature, and an understanding of this fact leads to the disappearance of evil from our experience,—sin and disease vanish as the great Teacher declared they would when he said, "Hear, and understand: ... Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up."

Not so long ago, it was very generally believed by religious people that for some mysterious reason God sent many evils to afflict the human race, and it was by no means uncommon to hear some Christian Scientist, who refused to entertain such a belief, charged with irreverence and skepticism. A great many are now coming to see, however, that it is both skeptical and irreverent to believe or to say that God either creates or maintains any form of evil, while the Christian Scientist accepts unquestioningly the prophet's declaration, "Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity."

The inquiry as to what God creates is fully answered in Christian Science. On page 70 of Science and Health Mrs. Eddy says. "The divine Mind maintains all identities, from a blade of grass to a star, as distinct and eternal." She then asks, "What are God's identities?" and goes on to say, "Evil has no reality. It is neither person, place, nor thing, but is simply a belief, an illusion of material sense."

Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.

Send a comment to the editors
NEXT IN THIS ISSUE
Editorial
A DIVIDING LINE
March 27, 1909
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit