THE omnipresence of God is acknowledged in an academic or doctrinal sense by the various Christian religions, but in Christian Science alone this teaching is given its full meaning and application. Other religions object to the literal interpretation of omni, derived from the Latin adjective meaning all, when used with reference to Deity, because it contradicts the evidence of matter and evil; whereas Christian Science denies the validity of this evidence, since it contradicts the spiritual facts of divinity. Popular theology attempts to evade its inconsistency by reconciling the presence of both good and evil as being in accord with the divine plan; while Christian Science says, in the words of Mrs. Eddy (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 339), "Since God is All, there is no room for His unlikeness."
But, argues the materialist, that is only intellectual reasoning from an assumed premise, and the world of sin and sensualism goes on just the same. And what has kept the world of evil going on, if it is not that the world of religion, generally, has not recognized or adhered to the absolute infinitude of God, but has believed and taught that another intelligence and power, named evil, is present throughout the universe, and is a positive and controlling influence in the lives of men?
Mrs. Eddy, however, did not reach the conclusion before stated through intellectual reasoning, but through the logic of spiritual understanding and the certainty which comes of demonstration. The teaching of the omnipresence of God, showing that good therefore fills all space, is not a dead letter in the Christian Scientist's life, but a divine rule for the correction and guidance of thought and conduct. It means everything to the student in his daily affairs, giving him confidence to resist the suggestion that another power is present which can torment and enslave him. The satisfying results of his fidelity to God as All, so far as his understanding now makes possible, convince him beyond question that Mrs. Eddy's deduction is Christianly sound and practical.
