Editorials

The meat of human politics is sometimes defined as working out who gets what (and when) of the finite "pies" of material power and wealth. The teachings of Christian Science—like those of Christ Jesus —are metaphysical, however.

When Mary Baker Eddy gave the Church of Christ, Scientist, its present form as The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts, with membership open to Christian Scientists anywhere in the world, she made clear that it was a universal and not merely a local church. See Manual of The Mother Church 19:1-6, Art.

There is a Why? of desperation: why has this happened to me? why am I frustrated? why doesn't opportunity ever knock at my door? And there is a Why? of intelligent curiosity; it sparks the child's endless questioning, the astronomer's nightlong researches, the explorer's impatience for the trail. Either way these questions and their correct answers provide the successive footholds and handholds by which mankind climbs out of ignorance and limitation.

The thoughts we entertain are far-reaching in their effects on our physical health and well-being—therefore we should control them. Good thoughts appear as healthy, harmonious bodies and conditions, while corrupt thoughts produce discord and disease.

Troubles often jolt our progress. But it's preferable to progress through spiritual understanding from the start rather than through the goading of worries.

Christ Jesus was speaking to a mixed group, including some of the Pharisees and others, when he referred to himself as the good shepherd who knew his sheep and was known of them. "And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold," he said, "them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

Whenever faith and spiritual vision meet, a moment of divine Truth is experienced humanly, and healing occurs. Faith may be small as a mustard seed, vision but a quick glimpse of eternal spiritual facts; but when these two in greater or lesser measure come together, Truth is seen in that moment with irresistible healing effectiveness.

Victims of circumstances. How many people believe they're suffering conditions they can do nothing about: consistently difficult workmates, a discontenting marriage, a weakening disease? Our response to these is more significant than the conditions themselves: we can react mortally and suffer on, or respond metaphysically and get out.

Debtors and creditors figure with other familiar characters in the parables of Christ Jesus—with farmers and fishermen, priests and tax collectors, merchants and housewives. Jesus used these various types to teach compassionate moral and spiritual lessons.

The question "If God is good and is All, why is there so much suffering in the world?" is age-old. The article by a Sunday School teacher on page 386 of this issue of the Journal indicates the possibilities such a problem presents for a group discussion among young people who know something of the teachings of Christian Science.