In Science and Health we read, "The destruction of sin is the divine method of pardon; divine Life destroys death, Truth destroys error, and Love destroys hate. Being destroyed, sin needs no other form of forgiveness." "The physical healing of Christian Science results now, as in Jesus' time, from the operation of divine Principle, before which sin and disease lose their reality in human consciousness, and so disappear as naturally and as necessarily as darkness gives place to light, and sin to reformation" (pp. 339, Pref. xi.).
The word miracle is defined in one of our recent standard dictionaries as "An act or effect sensibly deviating from the known laws of nature, wrought or supposed to be wrought by the direct interposition, aid, or permission of a supernatural being; a supernatural event or act." This definition is worded with extreme care. The current theological assertion is less cautious and justifies a definition as follows : A supernatural event or act, sensibly deviating from the laws of nature, wrought by the direct interposition, aid, or permission of God. It is immaterial to our present thought, however, which of these definitions be adopted.
The theologic concept of a miracle is chiefly indebted for its element of supernaturalism to post-apostolic ecclesiasticism. It is this concept which has been most largely impressed on the popular understanding. In fact, the impression has been so deeply made that the great majority of the members of the evangelical churches would regard any questioning of its correctness as heretical. While the traditional authority of this concept would in all likelihood assist its reception among the many, it has operated as a serious obstacle to the progress of the Christian religion. Jesus never indulged in melodrama or spectacular effect, but the pagan religions made free use of them in order to amaze the imagination and master the credulity of the masses.
