Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1927-07-01
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE IS
MUCH misunderstood
Discussion by Richard II. Smith
Christian Science Committee
on Publication for Montana

There is probably no subject about
which accurate information is more
lacking, among those who are not its
adherents, than Christian Science.
Consequently, there is an occasional
adverse criticism. Referring to these,
a friendly preacher, when introduc-
ing a Christian Science lecturer, once
remarked that it was his observation
that ordinarily the thing criticised
was not Christian Science. 1t is with
the hope that | may make clear a few
subjects which are sometimes the OBJ
ject of attack that this article is
written.
Christian Science is not q faith
cure, as that term is commonly under
stood. 1t is that spiritual healing
for which there is such abundant
Scriptural warrant. 1t is not hyp-
notism, but the present-day practice
and application of the spiritual laws
by which Jesus healed. Faith heal
ing, as commonly understood, is a
more or less blind ~trustfulness that
God will heal. In Christian Science
we take the step from trustfulness to
trustworthiness. Not only do we
trust, but, by a right application of
Gods laws, we prove that He heals.
Thus, healing in Christian Science is
not by faith born alone of belief, but
of knowledge. The Scriptures abound
with promises Of spiritual healing.
James tells US hat "the prayer OF
faith shall save the sick. 1t is some
times claimed that there is no Scrip
tural authority for spiritual healing
in this age. We need look for such
authority no further than the verse
just quoted. To interpret it other
wise would be to ignore unambiguous
language. The fact that Christian
Science heals is so well established
that it is scarcely ever questioned. 1t
is sometimes stated, however, that its
practice is suggestion or hypnotism.
The exact opposite is the fact. Hyp-
notism ascribes power to suggestion.
Christian Science applies literally the
Scriptures that there is no power
but of God" Christian Science heal
ings result from the practice and
application of that fact. We in
sist that God, divine Mind, is the
only cause. Mary Baker Eddy,
the Discoverer and Founder o.
Christian Science, says in "Science
and Health with Key to the Scrip
lures" (page 415), Immortal Mind is
the only cause" 1t is from this pre-
mise that all Christian Science treat
ments proceed. In COMMON parlance,
thoughts are the seeming product of
the so-called mortal, human, or carnal
mind. Paul makes clear that they
can be no part of a system of thera-
peutics dependent upon God, the only
cause. He says in Romans that the
carnal mind is "enmity against God"
In terms equally positive Mrs. Eddy
rejects them: Material and temporal
thoughts are human, involving error
and since God, Spirit, is the only
cause, they lack a divine cause" (Sci-
ence and Health, p. 1850. Hypnotism
which is but material or temporal
thought or suggestion, it will be seen,
is expressly rejected by the Discover
err and Founder of Christian Science.
1t is sometimes said that spiritual
healings were limited to Jesus and
his apostles. His own words repud-
late that contention. He said, "He
that believeth on me, the works that
| do shall he do also" The works
that Jesus did were healing. He
makes plain that those who believe
shall also heal. The fact that Christ
ian Scientists do heal indicates that
their conception and application Of
belief is Scriptural.