Chapter XI - Some Objections Answered
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
355:1
gain the spiritual meaning of Christian Science, and then
gain the spiritual meaning of Christian Science, and then
the ambiguity will vanish.
Practical arguments
355:3
The charge of inconsistency in Christianly scientific
The charge of inconsistency in Christianly scientific
methods of dealing with sin and disease is met by some-
thing practical, – namely, the proof of the
utility of these methods; and proofs are better
than mere verbal arguments or prayers which evince no
spiritual power to heal.
355:9
As for sin and disease, Christian Science says, in the
As for sin and disease, Christian Science says, in the
language of the Master, "Follow me; and let the dead
bury their dead." Let discord of every name and nature
be heard no more, and let the harmonious and true sense
of Life and being take possession of human consciousness.
355:14
What is the relative value of the two conflicting the-
What is the relative value of the two conflicting the-
ories regarding Christian healing? One, according to
the commands of our Master, heals the sick. The other,
popular religion, declines to admit that Christ's religion
has exercised any systematic healing power since the first
century.
Conditions of criticism
355:20
The statement that the teachings of Christian Sci-
The statement that the teachings of Christian Sci-
ence in this work are "absolutely false, and the most
egregious fallacies ever offered for accept-
ance," is an opinion wholly due to a misap-
prehension both of the divine Principle and practice of
Christian Science and to a consequent inability to demon-
strate this Science. Without this understanding, no one
is capable of impartial or correct criticism, because demon-
stration and spiritual understanding are God's immortal
keynotes, proved to be such by our Master and evidenced
by the sick who are cured and by the sinners who are
reformed.
Weakness of material theories
355:32
Strangely enough, we ask for material theories in sup-
Strangely enough, we ask for material theories in sup-