Recent conversations between visitors to one Christian Science Reading Room and the staff there brought to light several sincere, thought-provoking questions. The answers given by various staff members, we felt, might be interesting to Journal readers—especially if you're wondering about similar matters yourself. If you've been studying Christian Science for a while, though—even many years—we urge you to resist the temptation to flip automatically to the next article! You may find, as we did, that there 's much worth pondering here—in both queries and responses.
Some, who have a Christian background, have asked, "Do you believe in Jesus?" Most assuredly we do. The basic facts of Christ Jesus' life are Biblical and historical, and we unite with other Christians on these important points: Jesus was born of Mary as the Gospels relate. He early showed an understanding of God as his Father. At the beginning of his public ministry and after overcoming the temptations in the wilderness, he chose twelve disciples. He went throughout Galilee preaching, and he maintained a public ministry that included freeing people from sin, healing sickness, and overcoming death. He was arrested, crucified, buried; experienced resurrection, and ascended. He fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah, thus proving himself to be the promised Christ and Saviour. Jesus sent his followers "into all the world... [to] preach the gospel to every creature." Mark 16:15.
When questioned as to whether Christian Scientists believe Jesus is God, some Reading Room attendants have replied that we find no better authority than Jesus' own words recorded in the Scriptures. There he identifies himself as "the Son of God" and "the Son of man." We take him at his word.
