In accord with the Bible, the Christian Science textbook presents scientifically the true nature of God and man. From the basis of the textbook's inspired statements of Truth, one's study, prayer, and practical application of God's law provide life-changing insight into spiritual reality. The student of this textbook, Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy, begins to understand that reality comprises only what God has created, only what is perfectly good and pure and permanent. Anything less—matter, sickness, sin, mortality—is fundamentally unreal.
The real man, as Christian Science teaches, is not found in the category of "anything less." Man is the pure reflection, the perfect manifestation, the illimitable expression, of God, divine Mind. In Science and Health our Leader defines man in this way: "The compound idea of infinite Spirit; the spiritual image and likeness of God; the full representation of Mind." Science and Health, p. 591. No unreality—including the material limitations of the flesh, the evil and discord of mortality—can darken the divine revelation of man's true identity.
There are not two kinds of man—the first spiritual and holy, the second material and predestined to sin, suffering, and death. There is only one kind of man: entirely spiritual, wholly good, eternal. Again, "anything less" would be fundamentally a false belief, a misconception, a counterfeit of truth. Mortal man is a myth, an enigma, a dream held by a so-called mortal mind, which is itself without substance or entity. The dream of mortality, with its suggestions of evil and limitation, at no point coincides with the reality of immortal Truth, where man is the immortal evidence of God's goodness. We read in the textbook, "Man as the offspring of God, as the idea of Spirit, is the immortal evidence that Spirit is harmonious and man eternal." Ibid., p. 29.
When first confronted with these truths of God and man, one might feel that they seem rather idealistic, or that perhaps they are beautiful to contemplate but not very practical. A skeptic might argue that his experience and the world around him sometimes appear so at variance with the description of reality Christian Science offers that there could be little point in following the teachings of this religion. But one who brings an open mind and heart to his investigation of the Science of Christ, who humbly seeks redemption, and who prays earnestly as he studies the deep meanings of the revealed truths finds something extraordinary. Because the spiritual facts of being are true, when understood they actually transform our thinking and change our lives. There is no question that error remains at variance with Truth; but Truth eliminates the aggressive influence error may seem to have and proves evil's nothingness. Divine Truth is omnipotent; and the Christ redeems us from mistaken perceptions of reality, from the lies and illusions of materiality. "The divine manifestation of God, which comes to the flesh to destroy incarnate error" (Science and Health, p. 583)—this is the Christ.
A wonderful thing happens as Truth obliterates error in our thinking and experience. The unqualified "immortal evidence that Spirit is harmonious and man eternal" begins to show forth in very practical, immediate ways. To the degree that our regeneration is ongoing, lack gives way to the true evidence of the abundance of spiritual good. Disease gives way to the true evidence of spiritual wholeness. Sin gives way to the fact of man's inviolate purity and unfailing dominion. In other words, discordant testimony of the corporeal senses is proved to be a false witness to our real being—testimony that is inadmissible in the jurisdiction of Spirit. The harmonious evidence of spiritual sense is brought to light through scientific Christian healing and redemption—and so demonstrated to be the true witness by which the nature of God's man can be accurately determined.
More than anyone else it was the Master, Christ Jesus, who proved that man's being provides testimony to God's unchanging goodness. Jesus' unique birth, his authoritative teaching and preaching, his potent answers to hard questions, his remarkable healing work, his resurrection and ascension, all sustained the fact that he was the promised Saviour, the Son of God. When false evidence of mortality, sickness, or sin presented itself to the Master, with spiritual clarity and precision he penetrated the mist of human fear and ignorance. He cast out the lie; he healed sickness and uplifted the receptive heart.
Jesus required of his followers that they too begin to give practical proof of the immortal evidence of God's goodness. He sent his students forth to spread the gospel and to heal, and these remain Christian duties in every age. Jesus also left specific guidelines for practical discipleship—for a way of consecrated, joy-filled living that would present to the world irrefutable testimony that Christ, Truth, does transform, redeem, and save. As we adhere to the Science of Christ in our daily lives, our own regeneration will progressively demonstrate the present peace and harmony of divine reality.
To be honest with ourselves, we need to strive sincerely to bring our lives into conformity with the spiritual truths we proclaim. And with each forward step, our prayer and the living of it should be canceling selfishness, envy, jealousy, destructive criticism, prejudice. Everyone can learn more about forgiveness, compassion, brotherly love. Christ Jesus gave this clear rule, showing how each of his followers can be to the world a creditable witness for the divine goodness he himself demonstrated so fully. He said: "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." John 13:34, 35.
Jesus' followers have learned that without spiritual joy and Christly love there is no real light in one's experience—only cold darkness or empty shadows. Without light in human consciousness, how can reality be seen or understood? But we do have the biblical promise that God's kingdom is at hand. And the evidence of God's present and eternal glory is at hand also: our own true identity as man, the offspring of infinite Love, the immortal evidence of divine goodness. The truth of man's being, lived and loved, shines with a brilliance that "giveth light unto all that are in the house." Matt. 5:15. It cannot be extinguished.
