We are taught in Christian Science not to rest on the evidence of the material senses. And the questions come up: "What if the material senses indicate health and well-being? Do we believe them then?" The answer still must be that we do not rest on such evidence. We are able to demonstrate genuine health only by reversing material sense evidence and finding the higher evidence of Spirit. Then we will not want to depend upon the material senses in any instance. They are never reliable, for they stem from the basic error that claims life and intelligence in matter.
We must seek and find a stronger, firmer basis for our reliance and gain a clearer sense of the substance of Spirit, the reliability of spiritual sense, and the unchanging harmony of the Science of being. In all instances we want to penetrate beyond matter and material sense to find the basis of health in Mind, in God, and not in matter. Mrs. Eddy says: "Health is not a condition of matter, but of Mind; nor can the material senses bear reliable testimony on the subject of health. The Science of Mind-healing shows it to be impossible for aught but Mind to testify truly or to exhibit the real status of man."Science and Health, p. 120
It is sometimes useful to have medical corroboration of the healings that take place in Christian Science. It helps in some instances to convince the human mind of the efficacy of this Science. But when I hear of people turning to medical examinations for proof of healing, and being elated when the "doctor gives them a clean bill of health," I wonder where they are placing their reliance. The testimony of material sense is at best a frail basis of judgment. Sooner or later everyone must come away from material sense evidence and find the presence and power of Spirit as the dominant and sufficient—actually the only— evidence of man's health and well-being.
