WHEN the Christian Scientist is tempted to parley with the everintruding argument that a material universe, entirely apart from God's perfect spiritual creation, is functioning in disturbed and discordant fashion, it is wise to renew one's inspiration by earnest consideration of basic spiritual facts. There is never a moment when one need give heed to such a suggestion, unless one deliberately chooses to assign it temporary foothold in one's consciousness. When one is faced by plausible arguments defending materiality, a consecrated adherence to the teachings of Christian Science is sufficient protection against such temptation.
A marginal heading on page 525of Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy reads, "No baneful creation." This assertion is based upon the first chapter of Genesis, which states simply and conclusively that God's creation "was very good." Again, on page 263of Science and Health is found the marginal topic, "No new creation." This fact accepted, we see that no second, inferior, material universe has replaced "the heaven and the earth" created of God, as mentioned in the first verse of the Bible. Thus it becomes clear that the kingdom of heaven is actually at hand. This truth has been revealed to the world through Christian Science, not as an abstract theory but as a provable fact which can be applied to every experience of daily living. The opposing lie of the so-called carnal mind, which ever seems to be forcing its claims upon a slumbering world, must be put to silence. This task can be undertaken courageously, for the point of vantage in Christian Science is impregnable.
If we accept the fact that there are not two creations, spiritual and material, we then perceive that the infinite spiritual universe is real and the material sense of creation unreal. There is in reality no temporary state of materiality from which mankind must gradually emerge, for, as Christian Science reveals, there is no matter. What is called matter is shown to be but an inverted concept of the human mind. In order to claim rightful place in God's creation thought must be released from thronging suggestions of imperfect man. Each individual daily faces an inescapable responsibility: he must make his choice as to whether he will believe the lie of a material creation, enfolding the material concept of man, or whether he will reject such an impossible concept, no matter how widely it may be accepted as true, and adopt the divine revelation of Christian Science, which unveils creation as wholly spiritual.
