Q: Throughout the Old Testament are references to confessing our sins when we come before God. In the New Testament, we are encouraged to confess our belief in Christ Jesus. I have heard Protestants say that they confess their sins before praying. Is there a role for confession in Christian Science treatment and healing? Also, is confession different from an acknowledgment or recognition of our shortcomings or sins?
—A reader in Missouri, US
A1: In this context confession and acknowledgement can be used interchangeably and are synonymous. Confession, though, tends to have a slightly different connotation because it’s so commonly related to the Catholic sacrament of confession or penance, or to a criminal’s admission of wrongdoing.
Acknowledging—or confessing—one’s belief in the Christ plays a significant role in the life of a Christian Scientist. More than an acceptance of, or belief in, Christ Jesus, it is the acknowledgement to oneself of the healing presence and power of the eternal Christ that Jesus demonstrated to the highest degree. This confession of faith contributes to the transformation of character and leads to healing, as does the acknowledgement of one’s sins and shortcomings. That’s an important aspect of Christian Science, the main purpose of which is the healing of sin.
