Public Opinion

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 63, 17 March 1943, Page 3

Public Opinion

CHRISTIAN FUNDAMENTALS Sir, —I regret that your correspondent, D. Sutherland, has formed an entirely false opinion of the teachings of Christian Science. As you quite rightly point out in your note, the report of an hour-long address condensed into a few 7 sentences, cannot possibly be made the basis of an attack or an eulogy of the subject of the lecture. Christian Science makes no division between Jesus and the Christ, both words being names or titles of one individual. On page 333 of the Christian Science textbook, “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” the author, Mary Baker Eddy, sets this out very clearly, as follows: “The word Christ is not properly a synonym for Jesus, though it is commonly so used. Jesus was a human name, which belonged to Him in common with other Hebrew boys and men, for it is identical with the name of Joshua, the renowed Hebrew leader. On lhe other hand. Christ is not a name so much as the divine title of Jesus. Christ expresses God’s spiritual, eternal nature. The name is synonymous with Messiah, and alludes to the spirituality which is taught, illustrated, and demonstrated in the life of which Christ Jesus was the embodiment. The proper name of our 1 Master in the Greek was Jesus the Christ, but Christ Jesus better signifies .he Godlike.” With regard to your correspondent’s other remarks, I would state definitely that Christian Scientists do sincerely believe that Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary, that His death upon the Cross and resurrection were for the salvation of mankind. One other quotation from the same book: “Our Master fully and finally demonstrated Divine Science in his victory over death and the grave. Jesus’ deea was for the enlightenment of men and for the salvation of the whole word from sin, sickness, and death. Paul writes: ‘For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the (seeming) death of His Son, much more, being reconciled we shall be saved by His Life.’ ” (Pa<?e 45). Christ Jesus Himself told his students: “He that believeth in me (that is, he who follows my scientific demonstration of living), the work that I do shall he do also.” (John 14: 12). Is is not clear that the life or Jesus, as recorded in the Bible, with its continuous manifestations of His control over sin, sickness, death, storms, lack, etc., was in the highest degree scientific. The mere repetition of texts without the understanding and ability to demonstrate their actuality and power, is the main reason for the condemnation, atheism, and strife in the world to-day. Christian Science is bringing to thousands of enquiries that scientific or provable understanding of the Bible, its commands and promised rewards, as does enable its students to demonstrate in some measure the fruits of those promises, whereby they are freed from much fear, anxiety, pain and wrong beliefs, and are enabled in ever-increasing degree to ex- | nerience the joyous happiness which i such understanding and freedom ! bring.—l am, etc., S. E. F. COURT. Christian Science Committee on Publication for the North Island of New Zealand.