Chapter VI - Science, Theology, Medicine
Principle and practice
113:1
is but one God, there can be but one divine Principle of
is but one God, there can be but one divine Principle of
all Science; and there must be fixed rules for the demon-
stration of this divine Principle. The letter
of Science plentifully reaches humanity to-day,
but its spirit comes only in small degrees. The vital part,
the heart and soul of Christian Science, is Love. With-
out this, the letter is but the dead body of Science, –
pulseless, cold, inanimate.
Reversible propositions
113:9
The fundamental propositions of divine metaphysics
The fundamental propositions of divine metaphysics
are summarized in the four following, to me, self-evident
propositions. Even if reversed, these proposi-
tions will be found to agree in statement and
proof, showing mathematically their exact relation to
Truth. De Quincey says mathematics has not a foot to
stand upon which is not purely metaphysical.
1. God is All-in-all.
2. God is good. Good is Mind.
3. God, Spirit, being all, nothing is matter.
4. Life, God, omnipotent good, deny death, evil, sin,
disease. – Disease, sin, evil, death, deny good, omnipo-
tent God, Life.
113:22
Which of the denials in proposition four is true? Both
Which of the denials in proposition four is true? Both
are not, cannot be, true. According to the Scripture,
I find that God is true, "but every [mortal] man a
liar."
Metaphysical inversions
113:26
The divine metaphysics of Christian Science, like the
The divine metaphysics of Christian Science, like the
method in mathematics, proves the rule by inversion.
For example: There is no pain in Truth, and
no truth in pain; no nerve in Mind, and no
mind in nerve; no matter in Mind, and no mind in mat-
ter; no matter in Life, and no life in matter; no matter
in good, and no good in matter.
Definition of mortal mind
114:1
Usage classes both evil and good together as mind;
Usage classes both evil and good together as mind;
therefore, to be understood, the author calls sick and sin-
ful humanity mortal mind, – meaning by this
term the flesh opposed to Spirit, the human
mind and evil in contradistinction to the divine Mind, or
Truth and good. The spiritually unscientific definition
of mind is based on the evidence of the physical senses,
which makes minds many and calls mind both human and
divine.
114:10
In Science, Mind is one, including noumenon and phe-
In Science, Mind is one, including noumenon and phe-
nomena, God and His thoughts.
Imperfect terminology
114:12
Mortal mind is a solecism in language, and involves an
Mortal mind is a solecism in language, and involves an
improper use of the word mind. As Mind is immortal,
the phrase mortal mind implies something un-
true and therefore unreal; and as the phrase
is used in teaching Christian Science, it is meant to
designate that which has no real existence. Indeed, if
a better word or phrase could be suggested, it would
be used; but in expressing the new tongue we must
sometimes recur to the old and imperfect, and the new
wine of the Spirit has to be poured into the old bottles of
the letter.
Causation mental
114:23
Christian Science explains all cause and effect as men-
Christian Science explains all cause and effect as men-
tal, not physical. It lifts the veil of mystery from Soul and
body. It shows the scientific relation of man
to God, disentangles the interlaced ambiguities
of being, and sets free the imprisoned thought. In divine
Science, the universe, including man, is spiritual, harmoni-
ous, and eternal. Science shows that what is termed mat-
ter is but the subjective state of what is termed by the
author mortal mind.
Philological inadequacy
114:32
Apart from the usual opposition to everything new,
Apart from the usual opposition to everything new,