The word "spirituality" is derived from the Latin spiritus, breath, or from spiro, I breathe. Paul said, "To be spiritually minded is life and peace." Two other words, derived from the same root, indicate two of the highest mental qualities; namely, "aspiration," the yearning for a knowledge of the divine nature, and "inspiration," the conscious reception of that nature. Spirituality is defined by a dictionary as "far from worldliness; the quality of a thing that proceeds from the highest and finest faculties; the faculty that gives a feeling of confidence; belief in divine things." Intellectuality, by the same authority, means "that which distinguishes man from brute; the faculty of perception or thought; the faculty . . . that knows, as distinguished from the sense that feels or the will that chooses; the power to reason or judge; the [human] understanding." Academic training is an aid in the cultivation of intellectuality, while divine Mind is the direct source of spirituality.
The words "intellect" and "intelligence" are often used interchangeably in the world of letters, but in Christian Science they are not considered as synonymous. To verify this statement look closely at the works of Mrs. Eddy. In all her writings the terms "intellect" and "intellectual" occur thirty-six times; while reference to "intelligent" and "intelligence" is made several hundred times. Mrs. Eddy frequently speaks of divine intelligence, but never of the divine intellect. Thus it would appear that in Christian Science the term "intellect" refers to the higher qualities of human thought, by no means to be ignored, yet not to be confounded with intelligence, a quality of divine Mind. Spirituality is an expression of divine intelligence, a manifestation of divine wisdom. Intellectuality, on the other hand, being of human origin and growth, is a more or less systematized knowledge of human experience or physical so-called science.
Let it be clearly understood, however, that Christian Science does not put the stamp of approval upon human ignorance. On the contrary, correct teaching of the human thought is essential and in accord with Christian Science. (See Science and Health, p. 195, lines 19-25.) The training that enables men to broaden and enrich human conditions, making them serve the higher interests of humanity, is of value. The danger arises from satisfaction in the pursuit of human knowledge to the exclusion of that tireless search for the kingdom of righteous thinking, which quest the greatest Teacher of all time made of paramount importance. Mere intellectuality does very little toward the successful termination of this search. Its perception being of human knowledge rather than of divine wisdom, it fails to see those things which must be spiritually discerned; hence Paul's remark, "Whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away."
