One day while I was reading the Bible, the word atonement came to my attention, and I asked myself, "Do you fully understand the meaning of that word?" My answer was, "Not really." I knew that it was important in my study of Christian Science to grasp the spiritual signification of atonement, so I researched Bible commentaries and concordances and pondered the explanation of the term in Mrs. Eddy's writings. What had once seemed to be an indefinable word came alive with inspiration! This research strengthened my understanding of the unity of God and man, and helped me to see more clearly that the spiritual law of man's inseparability from God is the basis for effective, Christian healing.
In examining Bible references on atonement and corresponding citations in Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy, I was led continuously to the idea of man's unity with God. The traditional concept of atonement deals with the reconciliation by which man returns to communion with God through repentance and removal of sins. Christian Science sheds new light on the meaning of atonement as exemplifying man's uninterrupted oneness with God.
In Science and Health Mrs. Eddy writes, "Atonement is the exemplification of man's unity with God, whereby man reflects divine Truth, Life, and Love." Science and Health, p. 18. On the following page she hyphenates the word atonement, writing it at-one-ment. Atonement, then, exemplifies man's at-one-ment with God. What peace and joy we find in our lives as we become more aware of the fact that man is forever at one, or in unity, with God; that he is never separate from Truth, Life, Love, nor from any of the qualities of God—not even for an instant. Man is with God; God is with man—always!
