Chapter XI - Some Objections Answered
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naming nothing and which we desire neither to honor
naming nothing and which we desire neither to honor
nor to fear.
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Medical theories virtually admit the nothingness of
Medical theories virtually admit the nothingness of
hallucinations, even while treating them as disease; and
who objects to this? Ought we not, then, to approve
any cure, which is effected by making the disease appear
to be – what it really is – an illusion?
All disease a delusion
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Here is the difficulty: it is not generally understood how
Here is the difficulty: it is not generally understood how
one disease can be just as much a delusion as another. It
is a pity that the medical faculty and clergy
have not learned this, for Jesus established
this foundational fact, when devils, delusions, were cast
out and the dumb spake.
Elimination of sickness
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Are we irreverent towards sin, or imputing too much
Are we irreverent towards sin, or imputing too much
power to God, when we ascribe to Him almighty Life
and Love? I deny His cooperation with evil,
because I desire to have no faith in evil or in
any power but God, good. Is it not well to eliminate from
so-called mortal mind that which, so long as it remains in
mortal mind, will show itself in forms of sin, sickness, and
death? Instead of tenaciously defending the supposed
rights of disease, while complaining of the suffering dis-
ease brings, would it not be well to abandon the defence,
especially when by so doing our own condition can be im-
proved and that of other persons as well?
Full fruitage yet to come
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I have never supposed the world would immediately
I have never supposed the world would immediately
witness the full fruitage of Christian Science, or that sin,
disease, and death would not be believed for
an indefinite time; but this I do aver, that,
as a result of teaching Christian Science, ethics and
temperance have received an impulse, health has been
restored, and longevity increased. If such are the pres-
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ent fruits, what will the harvest be, when this Science is
ent fruits, what will the harvest be, when this Science is
more generally understood?
Law and gospel
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As Paul asked of the unfaithful in ancient days, so
As Paul asked of the unfaithful in ancient days, so
the rabbis of the present day ask concerning our heal-
ing and teaching, "Through breaking the law,
dishonorest thou God?" We have the gospel,
however, and our Master annulled material law by heal-
ing contrary to it. We propose to follow the Master's
example. We should subordinate material law to spirit-
ual law. Two essential points of Christian Science are,
that neither Life nor man dies, and that God is not the
author of sickness.
Language inadequate
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The chief difficulty in conveying the teachings of divine
The chief difficulty in conveying the teachings of divine
Science accurately to human thought lies in this, that like
all other languages, English is inadequate to
the expression of spiritual conceptions and
propositions, because one is obliged to use material terms
in dealing with spiritual ideas. The elucidation of Chris-
tian Science lies in its spiritual sense, and this sense must
be gained by its disciples in order to grasp the meaning of
this Science. Out of this condition grew the prophecy
concerning the Christian apostles, "They shall speak with
new tongues."
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Speaking of the things of Spirit while dwelling on
Speaking of the things of Spirit while dwelling on
a material plane, material terms must be generally em-
ployed. Mortal thought does not at once catch the
higher meaning, and can do so only as thought is edu-
cated up to spiritual apprehension. To a certain extent
this is equally true of all learning, even that which is
wholly material.
Substance spiritual
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In Christian Science, substance is understood to be
In Christian Science, substance is understood to be
Spirit, while the opponents of Christian Science believe