Article September 30, 1939 Issue

With regret we learn that a minister of the gospel, speaking...

Corrective remarks made over Station WATL, Atlanta, on behalf of J. Palmer Snelling, Committee on Publication for Georgia

With regret we learn that a minister of the gospel, speaking over this radio station a few days ago, took occasion to condemn the teachings of another Christian denomination. Among other derogatory references to Christian Science, he is reported to have said: "Christian Scientists do not teach the Bible as it is. They teach false doctrine."

Now, it is well known that there are many differing interpretations of the Bible, as is evidenced by the many Christian denominations, all using the Bible as the basis of their teachings and yet each interpreting it more or less differently from all the others. Because the Christian Science interpretation of the Scriptures differs from that of our friend, this could hardly be reason for labeling it as "false doctrine."

Christian Science interprets the Bible spiritually, on the basis of the allness and omnipotence of God, divine Spirit. Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, was a deep student of the Bible from her early youth, and in its pages she found the Science she so successfully practiced and taught. In her book "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" she writes (p. 547): "The Scriptures are very sacred. Our aim must be to have them understood spiritually, for only by this understanding can truth be gained." Also, on the same page she says, "You can prove for yourself, dear reader, the Science of healing, and so ascertain if the author has given you the correct interpretation of Scripture."

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