Chapter XI - Some Objections Answered
The real and the unreal
353:1
The Christianly scientific real is the sensuous unreal.
The Christianly scientific real is the sensuous unreal.
Sin, disease, whatever seems real to material sense, is un-
real in divine Science. The physical senses
and Science have ever been antagonistic, and
they will so continue, till the testimony of the physical
senses yields entirely to Christian Science.
353:7
How can a Christian, having the stronger evidence of
How can a Christian, having the stronger evidence of
Truth which contradicts the evidence of error, think of
the latter as real or true, either in the form of sickness or
of sin? All must admit that Christ is "the way, the
truth, and the life," and that omnipotent Truth certainly
does destroy error.
Superstition obsolete
353:13
The age has not wholly outlived the sense of ghostly
The age has not wholly outlived the sense of ghostly
beliefs. It still holds them more or less. Time has not
yet reached eternity, immortality, complete
reality. All the real is eternal. Perfection
underlies reality. Without perfection, nothing is wholly
real. All things will continue to disappear, until per-
fection appears and reality is reached. We must give up
the spectral at all points. We must not continue to admit
the somethingness of superstition, but we must yield up
all belief in it and be wise. When we learn that error
is not real, we shall be ready for progress, "forgetting
those things which are behind."
353:25
The grave does not banish the ghost of materiality.
The grave does not banish the ghost of materiality.
So long as there are supposed limits to Mind, and those
limits are human, so long will ghosts seem to continue.
Mind is limitless. It never was material. The true idea
of being is spiritual and immortal, and from this it follows
that whatever is laid off is the ghost, some unreal belief.
Mortal beliefs can neither demonstrate Christianity nor
apprehend the reality of Life.
Christian warfare
354:1
Are the protests of Christian Science against the notion
Are the protests of Christian Science against the notion
that there can be material life, substance, or mind "utter
falsities and absurdities," as some aver? Why
then do Christians try to obey the Scriptures
and war against "the world, the flesh, and the devil"?
Why do they invoke the divine aid to enable them to leave
all for Christ, Truth? Why do they use this phraseology,
and yet deny Christian Science, when it teaches precisely
this thought? The words of divine Science find their
immortality in deeds, for their Principle heals the sick
and spiritualizes humanity.
Healing omitted
354:12
On the other hand, the Christian opponents of Chris-
On the other hand, the Christian opponents of Chris-
tian Science neither give nor offer any proofs that their
Master's religion can heal the sick. Surely
it is not enough to cleave to barren and desul-
tory dogmas, derived from the traditions of the elders who
thereunto have set their seals.
Scientific consistency
354:18
Consistency is seen in example more than in precept.
Consistency is seen in example more than in precept.
Inconsistency is shown by words without deeds, which
are like clouds without rain. If our words
fail to express our deeds, God will redeem that
weakness, and out of the mouth of babes He will perfect
praise. The night of materiality is far spent, and with
the dawn Truth will waken men spiritually to hear and
to speak the new tongue.
354:26
Sin should become unreal to every one. It is in itself
Sin should become unreal to every one. It is in itself
inconsistent, a divided kingdom. Its supposed realism
has no divine authority, and I rejoice in the apprehension
of this grand verity.
Spiritual meaning
354:30
The opponents of divine Science must be
The opponents of divine Science must be
charitable, if they would be Christian. If the
letter of Christian Science appears inconsistent, they should