Forgiveness is an integral part of the Church of Christ, Scientist, and of Christian Science practice. And although forgiveness has always been central to Christianity, Christian Science elevates the meaning of forgiveness beyond even magnanimously letting go of a wrong, to metaphysically understanding the actual nature of that wrong as a mere supposition—that is, as something that exists to the human mind but not as something that exists in the Mind that is God. This isn’t a process of ignoring wrong, nor is it clinically and coldly denying a hurting heart or a hurting body. Rather, seeing the infinitude of God and His goodness (and consequently the nothingness of the supposed “wrong”) actually frees both the person hurt and the wrongdoer.
The Bible indicates that God is not just loving, but Love itself, and also that He is infinite (see I John 4:8; Deuteronomy 4:35; and Psalms 147:5). Thus, all that really exists is divine Love and its manifestation. This absolute truth, so different from what the physical senses see, comprises spiritual reality, which is presently available to all. Knowing and living this truth redeems and improves us.
This is reiterated in the Manual of The Mother Church by Mary Baker Eddy, the governing document of the Church of Christ, Scientist. This Manual contains By-Laws that set a high and noble standard for Christian Science practice and provide guidelines for the operation of the Church. One of these By-Laws, titled “A Rule for Motives and Acts,” states, in part: “In Science, divine Love alone governs man; and a Christian Scientist reflects the sweet amenities of Love, in rebuking sin, in true brotherliness, charitableness, and forgiveness” (p. 40). Knowing that divine Love alone governs each of us gives us a basis for forgiving and healing sin.
