Find inspiration in the latest issue

Anyone who has experienced a healing in Christian Science has learned and proven that matter is not what it appears to be. They’ve learned, to a degree, that reality is spiritual and that man’s true identity is not as a material being but as a spiritual idea. As I read through the July Journal, I was so pleased to see how thoroughly it brought out this essential point in Christian Science of matter’s illusory, unreal nature, and of Spirit’s all-power.

In her writings, Mary Baker Eddy explains that the serpent in the third chapter of Genesis in the Bible is representative of a false material sense, claiming matter as intelligent and sentient, as a governing power over man. She also explains how Christian Science “handles” this false sense on the basis of the true record of creation in Genesis 1. She writes, “The wisdom of God, as revealed in Christian Science, brings the serpent out of its hole, handles it, and takes away its sting” (Miscellaneous Writings 1883–1896, p. 210).

You won’t get far in this month’s issue before you realize it’s doing just that—handling the serpent, material sense, through its inspired content. The title of the lead article alone, “What Jesus knew about matter,” prompts the thinker to read on and entertain a new view of substance that excludes matter. The author writes: “[Jesus’] sense of substance and law as proceeding from Spirit, God, and therefore spiritual and mental, not material, was in accord with the First Commandment: ‘Thou shalt have no other gods before me’” (Exodus 20:3). Throughout the rest of the issue, each article and testimony in its own unique way offers empowering ideas and clear proof of the reality and allness of Spirit.

When Mary Baker Eddy established the Journal in 1883, she chose this verse from the Bible as its motto: “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds” (II Corinthians 10:4). The periodicals play a part in pulling down the strongholds of error. Our hope is for every reader of the Journal to feel the spiritual might and strength of the Science of Christianity that frees from the limitations and discords of materiality.

William Pappas
Staff Editor