It is natural, and indeed necessary, that in times of fear, confusion, and violence, such as now seem to be involving the greater part of mankind, students of Christian Science should be searching the Scriptures for guidance, instruction, and reassurance as never before. Scriptural prophecy offers a great measure of illumination, for it opens up an immense field of human experience in which the influence of the omnipotence of God is made plain to all who have eyes to see.
The tendency to give a literal interpretation of those parts of Scriptural prophecy which deal with the developments of human knowledge has unfortunately made many sincere students believe that they are unintelligible, and inapplicable to modern thought. It is, however, becoming more and more widely recognized that if a due understanding of the metaphorical language of the Bible, as well as a consideration of the different kinds of literature of which the Bible is composed—poetry, drama, history, and narrative—is brought to bear upon it, the study of these remarkable pronouncements proves immensely satisfying.
The revelations of Christian Science as to the true nature of God, found in its textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, illumine and interpret the spiritual meaning of the Scriptures. "Acquaintance with the original texts," as the author says on page 24, "and willingness to give up human beliefs (established by hierarchies, and instigated sometimes by the worst passions of men), open the way for Christian Science to be understood, and make the Bible the chart of life, where the buoys and healing currents of Truth are pointed out."
