INITIALLY, A PERSON INVESTIGATING the practice of Christian Science treatment and healing may get the impression that it's a version of "mind over matter"—a means of harnessing human mind power. With that approach, it's the human mind that is expected to heal the body, resolve injustice, improve relationships, and help buck us up under economic and employment pressures. But a deeper exploration of Christian Science reveals that "mind over matter" is considerably removed from the method that was the basis of Christ Jesus' healing.
"He that believeth on me," said Jesus, "the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father" (John 14:12). His words, "I go unto my Father," indicate that he actually looked to God, not to the human mind, to practice metaphysical healing. And Jesus encouraged his followers, in their own prayers, to take precisely the same line.
I've found that the first thing that turning wholeheartedly to God does is reveal a state of existence that previously may have seemed completely hidden from thought. Sometimes, that which appears threatening, unsolvable, chronic, or deadly, can easily obscure the presence of God's goodness. But then an inspired view brings to light a beautiful, ideal, and completely perfect state of being. It's God's view. "And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good," says the Bible (Gen. 1:31). Included specifically in this goodness is God's idea—His creation. And this creation, which includes every one of us, has a spiritual identity, not a material one. It's logical that His creation is spiritual. Like produces like, so the substance with which divine Spirit creates is spiritual. Never constricted by—or held hostage in—matter.
