The terse three-word question, "What is man?" frequently comes to the inquiring thought. It is not a new question, for centuries ago the Psalmist sang (Ps. 8:4), "What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?" Mary Baker Eddy sets forth a concise, demonstrable reply in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." Her answer reads in part (p. 475): "Man is not matter; he is not made up of brain, blood, bones, and other material elements. The Scriptures inform us that man is made in the image and likeness of God. Matter is not that likeness. The likeness of Spirit cannot be so unlike Spirit."
As one begins to ponder this remarkable definition of man's true status, his understanding of it acts immediately as a cleavage between fact and fiction. Inasmuch as a fact can always be proved and fiction disproved, the fictitious concept of man made up of material elements disappears into its native nothingness as the truth is grasped that man is now and forever as harmonious as "when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy" (Job 38:7).
To demonstrate increasingly that matter is never part of God's image necessitates knowing and embracing one's true being as His likeness, which is never in mindless matter. This is not an arduous task. It is a holy, joyful experience. Man, reflecting God, good, is necessarily flawless, complete, and altogether lovely. Dullness and defeat are unknown to man's creator, God, and cannot become attached to His creation. The simple, pure graces of Spirit and the nobility of Soul, when understood, silence wrong motives and practices. The immeasurable bounty—the continuous unfoldment of infinite Life and Love—demonstrates health and holiness. The undeviating wisdom of Mind, Principle, outlines and perfects man's decisions and assures his protection and welfare. Immortal Truth firmly establishes every forward step. Man is, indeed, the blessed and cherished child of his Father-Mother, God.
