THE TRUE SCIENCE OF BEING

Paul revealed to the Athenian philosophers at Mar's hill an explanation of their 'unknown God'. Today materialists are asking the same questions as those ancient philosophers. Quantum physicists have probed the depths of matter and found no starting point for life. They cannot link what they believe to be a combination of mind within matter or materialistic spirit to life. Christian Science calls this viewpoint of materialistic spirit or pantheism nothingness. The nothingness of matter is plain to the Christian Scientist who has the true understanding of Life and no longer wonders over the 'unknown God' of matter.

"Let us rejoice that we are subject to the divine 'powers that be.' Such is the true Science of being." (S&H 249:8-10)

NEVER FAIL TO FACE ERROR

Jesus never failed to face error. He saw the claim of sin, and rebuked it, which unfolded God's redeeming love, His healing presence and power. "He overcame the world, the flesh, and all error, thus proving their nothingness." (S&H 39:4) His prayer was consistent and persistent, he was ever conscious of man's unity with God, and he acknowledged God as the only power and presence." We must have trials and self-denials, as well as joys and victories, until all error is destroyed." (S&H 39:8) As we understand Christian Science, it enables us to look through and beyond the mists of mortal mind and reject the testimony of the physical senses.

"The radiant sun of virtue and truth coexists with being." (S&H 246:11) Christian Science teaches us to see man as God's reflection, the radiance of Spirit, and each individual, in his true selfhood, as abiding now in the sanctuary "of the most High" in the peace and harmony of God's universe of ideas. "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" (Ps 133:3)

LET GOD PREVAIL

"The sinless joy, -- the perfect harmony and immortality of Life, possessing unlimited divine beauty and goodness without a single bodily pleasure or pain, -- constitutes the only veritable, indestructible man, whose being is spiritual." (S&H 76:22-26) Let God be the prevailing tone in every aspect of your life. Spiritual values and the sanctity of spiritual Life must transcend and take the place of material life and its senses.

"Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:" (Acts 2:22) Mrs. Eddy said: "All I have ever accomplished has been done by getting Mary out of the way, and letting God be reflected. When I would reach this tone, the sick would be healed without a word." (We Knew Mary Baker Eddy p.118) Belief in Christ, Truth, must be evidenced by a practical understanding. The ability to heal is the necessary proof of the prevailing tone of God as Life in your daily walk. This demonstration is Christianity.

THAT WHICH IS, IS

"The desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose." (Isa 35:1) Spiritually discerned, the desert can be thought of as a mental landscape symbolizing mortal thought. It is barren and does not promise much hope. It is full of the prickly cactus of envy, and scorpions sting of hatred, the rattlesnake's injection of disappointment and death, but Isaiah goes on to promise that "It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: ... they shall see the glory of the Lord, and the excellency of our God." We do not have to accept this unattractive mental environment.

"Therefore in Spirit all is harmony, and there can be no discord; all is Life, and there is no death." (S&H 331:15-16) Love is the Cause of all that is permanent, and there is nothing else. "Earth has little light or joy for mortals before Life is spiritually learned." (S&H 548:12-13) The individual I with its fear, hatred, and jealousy is inflated and dangerous only to those who hold onto these thoughts. Those who prefer the desert or wilderness of mortal thought to the light and inspiration found in Christianity or Christian Science, which are one, harm themselves only.

"Everything in God's universe expresses Him." (S&H 331:16) God's universe is not apparent to human sense. We must cleanse ourselves of the dross or qualities of mortal mind -- such as envy, hatred, malice, jealousy, revenge. That which is, IS, and that which is not never will be.

NO SWINGING

The inharmonies which seem to fill human experience are not from God; therefore they have no power and cannot rule man. Mortal existence is a perpetual state of flux.

Man is not a pendulum swinging between restlessness and restfulness, stagnation and spiritual stillness, mortality and immortality. "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty." (Ps 91:1) With Christian Science we are enabled to abide in the secret place of God. "Life is Mind, the creator reflected in His creations." (S&H 331:5-6) Mind maintains His spiritual idea man in a constant state of oneness, or unity, with his Maker. Man dwells securely in God's realm of good.

"Denial of the claims of matter is a great step towards the joys of Spirit, towards human freedom and the final triumph over the body." (S&H 242:6) When joy is realized as a spiritual quality rather than a physical emotion, it will no longer be subject to fluctuation, but will remain a permanent aspect of our being. This is true of all the qualities or attributes of God. As we realize they are our Christ being, they become permanently part of the divine us.

THE GREAT FIRST CAUSE

"The Scriptures imply that God is All-in-all. From this it follows that nothing possesses reality nor existence except the divine Mind and His ideas." (S&H 331:11-13) Through our study of Christian Science we realize God as Almighty, or "The creative Principle -- Life, Truth, and Love." (S&H 502:27-28 to 1st .) Job realized this when he proclaimed "The spirit of God made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life." (Job 33:4) This solves the dilemma in philosophy of which came first the chicken or the egg. God is the First Cause.

"The Scriptures also declare that God is Spirit." (S&H 331:13-14) Then we realize that this creative Principle, Spirit, or Mind, is the only substance. Nothing can be added to or be outside the infinite Only. Matter, which is the opposite of Spirit, cannot be the product of Spirit. A truly scientific understanding of being is spiritual, because all Science or Truth is based on the allness of God, Spirit.