The Apostle Paul, Acts tells us, at one time described himself as "a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee." Acts 23:6. He had been thoroughly educated in the literal and legal interpretations of the Hebrew Scriptures. Partly as a result, and prior to becoming a Christian, he was vigorous in his persecutions of followers of Christ Jesus, who he felt were dangerously misreading the holy writings.
Later he reversed himself and at great cost became an exponent of Christianity. Remembering this, one can feel the deep wellsprings of wisdom and love that would lie behind the counsel attributed to him in II Timothy—counsel to a promising worker in the early Church: "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." II Tim. 2:15. Might not this counsel be especially relevant for students of Christian Science, so accustomed to turning to "the word of truth" when in need?
It is difficult, perhaps impossible, to rightly divide or understand the word of truth if one develops the habit of turning to truth only in times of personal need or hurt. Certainly it is right to turn to God, to search the Scriptures and Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy, when trouble comes. In fact, trouble is probably the most heavily traveled path to spiritual understanding and discovery of God.
