In the news
April 2007
Response to article "Unlocking 'The Secret' Book"
© 2007 York Daily Record
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In your recent article, "Unlocking 'The Secret' Book" by Melissa Burke (York Daily Record, March 15), author Bruce Epperly talks about the New Age movement, stating that "the theories behind positive thinking and the ability of the (human) mind to change reality emerged in the 19th century with Christian Science." Epperly goes on to discuss the "create-your-own-reality" approach as replacing the omnipotence of God with the omnipotence of one's mind, which doesn't work and presumes control of reality we just don't have.
As a Christian Scientist who believes in the omnipotence of God (not the human mind) and God's perfect control over his creation, I would like to take a moment to clarify a few points.
Christian Science goes beyond positive thinking or New Age beliefs, which are based on the power of the human mind as a curative agent. In contrast, Christian Science, founded by Mary Baker Eddy, teaches that the divine mind, God alone heals. Individuals derive their being through reflection of the divine. I cherish that the Bible verifies this in the first chapter in Genesis, "God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good."
While some of the leaders of New Thought studied Christian Science, they also assimilated the principles of theosophy, transcendentalism, eastern traditions and the emerging field of psychology. Christian Science, however, remains grounded in the teachings and healing works of Christ Jesus. Mary Baker Eddy writes in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, "When the human element in him struggled with the divine, our great Teacher said: Not my will, but Thine, be done!' that is, Let not the flesh, but the Spirit, be represented in me. This is the new understanding of spiritual Love. It gives all for Christ, or Truth."
Susan M. Lowenberg
Christian Science Committee on Publication for Pennsylvania