When Mary Baker Eddy ordained the Bible and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures to preach to Christian Science congregations, she reassuringly wrote to her Church, “Your dual and impersonal pastor, the Bible, and ‘Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,’ is with you; and the Life these give, the Truth they illustrate, the Love they demonstrate, is the great Shepherd that feedeth my flock, and leadeth them ‘beside the still waters’ ”(Miscellaneous Writings 1883–1896, p. 322).
Mrs. Eddy grew up with a deep love for the Bible. Throughout her life the Bible infused her thought and inspired her search for truth, and today its language, ideas, and spiritual insights pervade her writings. Speaking of the period leading up to her discovery of Christian Science, she describes the Bible as her “sole teacher” (Science and Health, p. viii). The Bible and Science and Health together are one impersonal Pastor, and both of these books deserve our deepest attention, love, and ongoing, dedicated search of them for the truths of divine Science.
To encourage a greater awareness and appreciation of the Bible, in the January 5, 2015, Christian Science Sentinel, we introduced a series called “Bible Lens.” This new section of the Sentinel focuses on Bible study and the Bible Lesson, and includes historical explanations of Bible verses, helpful translations of certain passages, and word studies of Bible terms. There is also a variety of items related to the Bible in general, such as articles and poems that bring out its healing message seen in the light of Science, accounts of those healed through a deeper study of the Bible, and items to help familiarize children with this “chart of life” (Science and Health, p. 24).
