Articles

Is evil a real power? What's its origin? Why is evil? These are the questions that have troubled people for centuries—if not collectively then individually through personal misfortune. How often has thought revolved around the questions: Why does God permit evil? Can't He control it? If this material world is basically all there is, and is the solid reality it appears to be, then it makes sense to conclude: "Yes, evil is a power.

Yielding humbly to God's guidance, a Reader in a branch Church of Christ, Scientist, is able to serve with assurance and poise. A deep-toned peace comes to the one who knows that reading in a branch church is effective only as it is God-directed.

When we attend the theater, see a good movie, or enjoy a concert, we appreciate the professionalism and accomplishments of the performers. But do we think about the hours of preparation that have enabled those performers to work with such complete assurance? In a way, we are performers, too—demonstrators of the Science of Christianity, working daily to achieve a wider understanding of this Science and learning how to use this understanding in order to heal ourselves and others.

Christian Science Organization at University of Hamburg, West Germany From the many lectures offered for the German field, we chose a lecture titled "Leben ohne Furcht" ("Life Without Fear") for our winter semester. The.

Have you ever contemplated quitting church? Have you ever thought, "Who needs it? I'd be better off just to study the Bible Lesson  In the Christian Science Quarterly . on my own instead of going to church services.

A good friend of mine shared a very interesting and touching experience that really awakened me to realize the importance and power of understanding divine dependency. This friend's little girl was a so-called "late child," arriving some years after their other children, and a strong mutual dependency had developed between mother and daughter.

What about sin? In the vast majority of Bible passages where the word sin appears, is an indication of spiritual or moral failure, either toward God or one's fellowman. It should be noted, however, that a common root of the verb "to sin," in both the Old and New Testaments, is "to miss, fail, or miss the mark.

Have you ever been disappointed? "Yes," most of us would say. But, if truth be told, did dwelling on feelings of disappointment ever really help? Giving in to disappointment often leads to brooding.

Comforting assurance of the ever-present Christ and its healing purpose is clearly evident in these words from the Christian Science Hymnal: "The Christ is here, all dreams of error breaking,/Unloosing bonds of all captivity. " Hymnal, No.

Is there a more joyous feeling than that of reconciliation with a loved friend or relative from whom we have felt separated? Yet this only hints at the joy we feel as a sense of separation from our Father-Mother God is removed. A conviction of our oneness, our at-one-ment, with God, the All-in-all, brings with it the assurance of our harmony in relation to His entire creation—within ourselves, to our fellowman, and to that which we call "the environment.