When I stumbled onto the teachings of Christian Science as an adult, I already had some pretty firm concepts about Christianity. A lifelong searcher for truth—and a well-taught Protestant —I still had no idea how thoroughly my world would turn inside out and upside down (all in good ways!) because of what this Science would teach me about spirituality and the true nature of reality.
One of the concepts that I don't think I ever really understood before was what the Bible calls the "The Comforter," or "Holy Ghost." I could easily relate to the tenderness and promise of the term The Comforter —that Comforter Jesus promised would come to humanity to "teach you all things." Nineteen centuries after Jesus delivered that promise, Mary Baker Eddy discovered that his Comforter had always been with us, just waiting to be revealed. She called this Comforter "Divine Science." But what about the Holy Ghost, a term she used synonymously with Divine Science, along with the term Christ? As Bible readers know, on the Day of Pentecost, the disciples experienced the "descent of the Holy Ghost"(Science and Health, p.43)—and as the Bible relates, this event activated their understanding of all that Jesus taught. How can we know if that inciting, enabling presence still informs and evangelizes Jesus' followers today?
Well, this month, several writers delve deep to explore the significance and power of the Holy Ghost. To begin the discussion, Journal Senior Writer Warren Bolon offers his inspiring and healing article, "The Comforter—Eternal and unconfined." Then Christian Science teacher LaMeice Harding's article, "Empowered by the Holy Ghost," follows, in which she unpacks the profound spiritual implications for each of us when we understand more clearly the distinct meanings of the related terms Christ, Comforter, and Holy Ghost. The Journal wondered how young people today respond to the term Holy Ghost, which is most often associated with the King James Version of the Bible (rather than the interpretation, Holy Spirit, in most modern Bible translations). We think you'll savor these young people's wonderfully vibrant responses!
