The Bible declares, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." John 1:1. The Word, the creative, governing Principle of immortal Life, maintains all life in its own harmonious likeness—as Christ Jesus so brilliantly illustrated and Christianity so discerningly proclaims.
When Mrs. Eddy first preached the Word in her Church, many were healed at each service. As she meekly received the Word, spiritually understood it, Christianly lived and shared it, healing abounded. To ensure continued healing in all Churches of Christ, Scientist, she ordained the Bible and her book Science and Health as the pastor to preach the Word of God. As the members—and the Readers, who present the service by reading from the pastor—meekly receive, spiritually understand, Christianly live, and share the pastor's revealed Word, it touches and heals receptive hearts everywhere.
For the Word to be unhindered, redemption must progressively transform human selfhood, revealing man's true, immortal identity. Human thoughts and acts must conform to spiritual reality. Giving up materiality for spirituality assures us that our lives and our reading will be less restricted, because we will be living more in accord with our spiritual identity as the sons and daughters of God.
