In the fourth chapter of Paul's epistle to the Philippians, as published in the Schofield Reference Bible, we find these two significant captions: "The secret of the peace of God" and "The presence of the God of peace." In the five verses under these captions the requirements of a lasting peace are stated, and the ninth verse ends with this comforting assurance: "And the God of peace shall be with you." Throughout his writings the Apostle to the Gentiles makes frequent use of such phrases as "the God of peace" and "the peace of God." These and other similar expressions seem to indicate Paul's longing for surcease from the constant conflict to which his public ministry had subjected him. As a young divinity student at the school of the rabbi Gamaliel at Jerusalem, Saul of Tarsus, who was known as Paul after his conversion to Christianity, must have been well grounded in Hebrew history and in the law and the prophets. He was most certainly familiar with that famous prophecy of Isaiah concerning "The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace," of whom he said (Isa. 9:6, 7), "Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end."
In our troubled times it would seem to be especially necessary to understand why it is that the Scriptural promises concerning the peace of God have not been more generally fulfilled in human experience. The answer to this question has always been implicit in the Bible, and Christian Science, as discovered and given to the world by Mary Baker Eddy, makes this fact unmistakably plain.
What is known as "the scientific statement of being," on page 468 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, cuts right to the heart of the unseen error that makes mortals fight for material things. It points to the fact that "there is no life, truth, intelligence, nor substance in matter." I explains, "All is infinite Mind and its infinite manifestation, for God is All-in-all." This radical assertion is based upon the well-established premise that there is but one God, who is the author and owner of all that is real.
