Chapter IV - Christian Science Versus Spiritualism
The age's privilege
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recognize Soul as substantial and able to control the
recognize Soul as substantial and able to control the
body? Remember Jesus, who nearly nineteen centuries
ago demonstrated the power of Spirit and said,
"He that believeth on me, the works that I
do shall he do also," and who also said, "But the hour
cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall
worship the Father in spirit and in truth." "Behold,
now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of sal-
vation," said Paul.
Logic and revelation
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Divine logic and revelation coincide. If we believe
Divine logic and revelation coincide. If we believe
otherwise, we may be sure that either our
logic is at fault or that we have misinterpreted
revelation. Good never causes evil, nor creates aught
that can cause evil.
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Good does not create a mind susceptible of causing
Good does not create a mind susceptible of causing
evil, for evil is the opposing error and not the truth of
creation. Destructive electricity is not the offspring of in-
finite good. Whatever contradicts the real nature of the
divine Esse, though human faith may clothe it with angelic
vestments, is without foundation.
Derivatives of spirit
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The belief that Spirit is finite as well as infinite has
The belief that Spirit is finite as well as infinite has
darkened all history. In Christian Science, Spirit, as a
proper noun, is the name of the Supreme Being.
It means quantity and quality, and applies ex-
clusively to God. The modifying derivatives of the word
spirit refer only to quality, not to God. Man is spiritual.
He is not God, Spirit. If man were Spirit, then men
would be spirits, gods. Finite spirit would be mortal,
and this is the error embodied in the belief that the infi-
nite can be contained in the finite. This belief tends to
becloud our apprehension of the kingdom of heaven and
of the reign of harmony in the Science of being.
Scientific man
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Jesus taught but one God, one Spirit, who makes man
Jesus taught but one God, one Spirit, who makes man
in the image and likeness of Himself, – of Spirit, not of
matter. Man reflects infinite Truth, Life, and
Love. The nature of man, thus understood,
includes all that is implied by the terms "image" and
"likeness" as used in Scripture. The truly Christian
and scientific statement of personality and of the relation
of man to God, with the demonstration which accompa-
nied it, incensed the rabbis, and they said: "Crucify him,
crucify him . . . by our law he ought to die, because he
made himself the Son of God."
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The eastern empires and nations owe their false gov-
The eastern empires and nations owe their false gov-
ernment to the misconceptions of Deity there prevalent.
Tyranny, intolerance, and bloodshed, wherever found,
arise from the belief that the infinite is formed after the
pattern of mortal personality, passion, and impulse.
Ingratitude and denial
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The progress of truth confirms its claims, and our
The progress of truth confirms its claims, and our
Master confirmed his words by his works. His healing-
power evoked denial, ingratitude, and be-
trayal, arising from sensuality. Of the ten
lepers whom Jesus healed, but one returned to give God
thanks, – that is, to acknowledge the divine Principle
which had healed him.
Spiritual insight
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Our Master easily read the thoughts of mankind, and
Our Master easily read the thoughts of mankind, and
this insight better enabled him to direct those thoughts
aright; but what would be said at this period of an in-
fidel blasphemer who should hint that Jesus used his in-
cisive power injuriously? Our Master read mortal mind
on a scientific basis, that of the omnipresence of Mind.
An approximation of this discernment indicates spiritual
growth and union with the infinite capacities of the one
Mind. Jesus could injure no one by his Mind-reading.