The question is often asked by persons ignorant of the fundamental principle of Christian Science, whether it is based upon the Bible.
An answer may be fittingly given in the words of the Teacher, and recognized Founder of the Science: "The Scriptures are very sacred to me. I aim only to have them understood spiritually, for thus only can Truth be gained.".... "It is this perception of Scripture that lifted me out of disease and death, and inspires my writings. At the threshold of the grave I saw the falsity of a belief in intelligent matter, I heard the Spirit and the Bride say, 'Come; whosoever will, let him drink of the water of Life freely.' Humbly and fervently I threw in my lot with Divine Science; for it separates error from Truth, and breathes through the sacred pages the spiritual sense of Life, substance, and intelligence." "In following the leadings of this revelation, the Bible was my only text book. The inspired volume seemed illumined, reconciling right reason with revelation and establishing the truths of Christian Science." Again, she says: "I began to write down, and gave to my friends, the results of my Scriptural study, for the Bible was my sole teacher—and, to-day, though able to teach others, I find myself still a willing disciple at the Heavenly Gate, (of Truth) waiting for the Mind of Christ to fully possess me." Again; "Christian Science draws its support from the Bible."
Many similar extracts might be taken from this author's works, which are full of Biblical language and quotations. Indeed the favorite symbol which she uses in the advertisement of her works, represents a large and beautiful copy of the Bible, on which rests a neat but diminutive copy of her own great work Science and Health and surmounting the whole is this Scripture: "For other foundation can no man lay than is laid, which is Jesus Christ"! thus showing in an object lesson, which he who runs may read, the broad platform of the Science.
THE ONLY TEXT-BOOKS
Used In The Teachings And Practice Of Christian Science.
"For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.—1st Cor., iii. 11."
Few persons in any age have studied the Bible so closely and understandingly (and for so many consecutive years) as the author of Science And Health. The writer of this article has even found fault with her, for what seemed to him the almost unnecessary stress and importance she gives to so many parts of the Old Testament. She maintains that almost every verse in the Bible has a spiritual meaning and was designed to convey some valuable spiritual truth. And she, moreover, takes the advanced ground that those passages which seem the most obnoxious to the ears of modern civilization, often embody the deepest lessons of Spirituality.
Her position is this: As those who would worship God must worship Him in Spirit and in Truth—so those who study the Bible—the Word of God—must see and read with spiritual eyes and minds. It was for lack of this essential spiritual insight, that so many of Christ's immediate disciples could not comprehend their Master even though He employed parables and the very plainest illustrations.
But the most stress is always laid by her, in the light of Christian Science, on the New Testament and especially the sayings and teachings of Christ Jesus. For, to Christ she looks, with steady, undeviating gaze, for the fundamental truths of her system, and hence she feels justified in denominating her system "Christian Science," a phrase which is equivalent to Christian understanding, or, a knowledge of the hidden spiritual meanings of the words and teachings of Christ.
Now as the word "Science" signifies knowledge systematically arranged, so as to be easily learned, conveniently taught, and readily applied, and as this system, or Science, can be so learned, taught, and applied—the Christian knowledge which she has thus gathered, classified, and published— after many years of study and practical test by demonstration may be as justly denominated a Science as Astronomy, Mathematics, or any other Science. The name was doubtless chosen, in part, to distinguish it from the so-called Natural Sciences, which deal almost wholly with matter, material laws, and phenomena, while this Science has to do with real, not apparent, causes and effects, discernible through an understanding of the forces beyond the seeming physical or material realm. The name "Christian" becomes especially appropriate, when we consider the elevating character and tendency of the Science, the good it does and is calculated to do, and, above all, its identity with the teachings of Christ. All these pure streams point to a pure fountain. "A good tree bringeth forth good fruit. By their fruits shall ye know them."
It must not be forgotten, however, that the Founder of Christian Science in this age does not claim to be the first to use this knowledge or power, which, she says, was understood, though imperfectly, by some of the prophets and holy leaders mentioned in the Old Testament. All we ask for this author is that due credit be given her for rediscovering what was dimly discerned by the good men of old (then lost or forgotten, then revived and developed to completeness by Christ, to be again almost lost but for the Divine Record) and also for reducing by her spiritual interpretation and study to a practical system, those infinite truths, so grandly proclaimed by Christ and his immediate followers.
What is claimed for Christian Science is that it is in the direct line and after the tenor of Christ's teachings. If the doing of good be a Christian act, then is the Science which teaches so effectually and well the knowledge of how to do good, "Christian" Science.
There is no element of exaggeration in the assertion that it would be difficult to find any Science, or any system of religion, which pays higher tribute to the entire Bible, without exception, or which draws more therefrom than Christian Science. Hardly a line can be found in any text book from the Founder of Christian Science that does not enumerate the attributes of Deity, or emphasize, with glowing devotion, the goodness of God; and Christ's teachings are almost constantly in the thoughts of the student of Christian Science.
If, as the poet says, the "undevout astronomer is mad" so is it impossible for a true Christian Scientist not to be a lover of the Bible and of God.
No one but a Scientist can be aware of the extent to which the understanding and practice of the Science requires that God and Christ should be "in all their thoughts." In fact, no one can learn this Science, as it should be learned, who does not approach this Spiritual elevation of thought,—and, certainly, no one can successfully practice, who has not learned how to carry these high spiritual ideas of God to his patient.
Hence, every honest treatment is a sermon, conveying by iteration and reiteration the highest spiritual truths.
The constant endeavor of the practitioner is to realize and emphasize in the spiritual hearing of his patient, the might and goodness of God. It is the attainment of this high purpose which constitutes the crowning excellence of Christian Science, and makes it so elevating and ennobling in its character and results.
Christian Science has no narrow or perishable foundation; but appeals for its truth and verity to the Immutable Word of God.
Truth should, and does, drive error out of all selfhood. It is a two-edged sword to guard and guide. Truth places the cherub Wisdom at the gate of Understanding, to mark the proper guests. Radiant with mercy and justice, the sword of Truth gleams afar, and indicates the infinite distance between Truth and error, between the material unreal and the scientific real.—Science And Health.
