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Metaphysical Application Ideas for the Christian Science Bible Lesson: “God the Only Cause and Creator”, for June 4-10, 2007
Dan Carnesciali, C.S. of St. Louis, MO
Editor’s Note: The following background information and application ideas for the Christian Science Bible Lesson for this week are offered primarily to help CedarS campers and staff (as well as friends) see and demonstrate the great value of daily study of the Christian Science Bible lessons year-round, not just at camp! You can sign up free to have these mets emailed to you in English by Monday or in French or Spanish by Wednesday: CHECK www.cedarscamps.org/metaphysical/ FOR A FREE TRANSLATION of this weekly “met” offered in FRENCH by Pascal Bujard of Switzerland AND NOW in SPANISH by Ana Arcioni of Spain.
There are Christian Science Bible Lessons on all seven synonyms for God, except Principle, which is not mentioned in the Bible. Yet, you can find the concept of Principle in this Bible lesson if you keep an eye out for the following concepts: creator, creation, origin, understanding, trust, power, majesty, rule, justice, law, lawgiver, cause and effect, etc.
I recently heard a very clear explanation of Christian Science. Christian Science is the practical application of God’s laws to human life. “[Christian Science] has one God. It demonstrates the divine Principle, rules and practice of the great healer and master of metaphysics, Jesus of Nazareth. It spiritualizes religion and restores its lost element, namely, healing the sick.” (Mis 257: 22-25)
Golden Text:
“Lord, you are exalted as head above all.” Here, head means “the seat of intellect, mind, mental control.” (Merriam-Webster) Christian Science teaches that God is unchanging. Does that mean that God is inanimate, static, or boring? The creative Principle of the universe expresses limitless power, glory, victory, greatness, adventure, and love. God makes all things new. (Rev 21:5) Spiritual existence is therefore a constant discovery, and adventure. “Let your heart be perfect with the Lord our God … keep his commandments.”
Responsive Reading:
When King Solomon, David’s son, dedicated the Temple in Jerusalem, he prayed, “That all the people of the earth may know that the Lord is God, and that there is none else (no other cause or creator).” He supplicated (requested) for God to be with us and not forsake or forget us. Those words echo the covenant, or agreement, between God and man given in the Old Testament. In the covenant God says, “I will be your God and you will be my people.” Put another way, “I will take care of you. In gratitude and obedience, follow my laws.”
Section I – The Earth is Blessed
“He watereth the hills from his chambers, the earth is satisfied …” (B3) “Praise the Lord; for the Lord is good: sing praises unto his name.” (B2) As you may know from reading the April 16, 2007 Christian Science Sentinel, parts of Australia are suffering a severe drought. On May 30th, Prime Minister John Howard said, “Pray for rain.” Let’s answer the call for prayer, and pray for our brothers and sisters “down under.” If suggestion says the problem is too big, isn’t that right where prayer is needed? What else will break the illusion and set things right?
In November of 1894, there was a drought in Concord, NH, where Mary Baker Eddy lived. “The farmer who delivered milk [to Mrs. Eddy’s house] told the cook that his well was empty and his cows were beginning to go dry. When Mrs. Eddy was told about this, she smiled and said, ‘Oh! If he only knew, Love fills that well.’ The next day when the farmer came, he was overjoyed to tell the cook that that morning he had found his well full of water. And what was amazing to him was there had been no rain to fill it.” (Christian Healer, pg. 157) “The Creative Principle – Life, Truth and Love – is God.” (S1) “The universe of Spirit reflects the creative power of the divine Principle, or Life …” (S3)
Section II – Creation is Spiritual
“CREATOR. Spirit; Mind; intelligence; the animating [life-giving; action-inspiring] divine Principle of all that is real and good.” (S&H 583: 20-22) “God looked over everything he had made; it was so good, so very good!” (B4 – The Message) True creation is spiritual. It includes little animals and big animals (all ideas). It includes man who is the full, but individual, expression of Principle. “God is the Principle of all that represents Him and of all that really exists.” (S4) Christian Science does not ask God to take control, it acknowledges He in control. God is watching over His creation, guarding it, maintaining it, sustaining it, adoring it, and beholding how good and excellent it is. “That which He creates is good, and He makes all that is made.” (S5) Material sense can’t see this because it views everything through a dirty material lens. Its worship of matter blinds it to Spirit. It sees matter as self-governing, acting outside of Mind’s control, or any control.
Last week’s lesson alerted us to be alert; be on guard; be willing to yield to spiritual sense. God literally means good, so it is natural and helpful to think of Him as “God-good.” (S7) The Science of Christ shows us how to effectively apply God’s laws to human need. When you pray, listen for the angel message of good calling you to action. “Shepherd show me how to go, O’er the hillside steep” (Hymn 304)
Section III – No Reversal
“Science knows no lapse from nor return to harmony.” (S11) Although Christian Science restores health to mind and body, it is a false starting point to try and induce Mind to fix matter. Healing is achieved through the elimination of false belief that matter is substantial, or has life or intelligence. “All reality is in God and His creation, harmonious and eternal.” (S13) “God is the creator of man, and, the divine Principle of man remaining perfect, the divine idea or reflection, man, remains perfect.” (S11) To bring about healing, Principle doesn’t need to change. Science doesn’t need to change. And, you as , His expression do not need to change. What needs to change is a misconception of the power of good and Science. So, stay alert, be faithful to Truth. Keep siding with God-Principle, and until you see that “all substance, intelligence, wisdom, being, immortality, cause, and effect belong to God.” (S12)
Are you wondering how you will ever solve your problems? “Hast thou not known … there is no searching of his understanding.” (B6) There is no problem bigger than God. To solve any size problem, it is important to start correctly. “To grasp the reality and order of being in its Science, you must begin by reckoning God as the divine of all that really is.” (S12) “The eternal God is thy refuge …” (B7)
Section IV – Progress
“God, your God, has been blessing you in your harvest and in all your work, so make a day of it-really celebrate!” (The Message) (B10) Rejoice in who you are. You are identity (the reflection of Soul), not personality. (personal sense) You are loved for who you are spiritually. And, you love yourself because you are about your Father’s business. God said, “You didn’t choose me, remember; I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won’t spoil.” (The Message) (B14)
“Spiritual causation is the one question to be considered, for more than all others spiritual causation relates to human progress.” (S19) When challenged with a headache, a stomachache, or any other ache do not ask mortal mind whether it was something you ate, or whether you are in an unhealthy physical or mental environment. Instead, start with spiritual causation, even when tempted repeatedly to go back to mortal mind’s version of the cause. You can do it! As you consistently start with spiritual causation and understand more of your real identity, progress is inevitable.
Section V – Shalom! Peace (and Health) Be Unto You
The healing of the woman afflicted with a hemorrhage for 12 years is so interesting. Her innate spirituality drew her to Jesus. Knowing Christ’s power to heal, she slipped into the crowd, knowing she had to get near him. She snuck up and touched him without anyone noticing and was healed! (Some think she touched a long flowing prayer tassel that Jesus may have been wearing.) Touching Jesus, or any man, was a bold move because according to the Jewish laws of the time, it was forbidden for someone with a blood condition to touch another. Jewish religious authorities made laws intending to keep man pure and whole. However, by believing that one person’s impurity could infect another’s purity, these laws actually had the opposite effect. They induced fear because they were based on a premise that good was frail and fleeting.
Jesus’ Christly perception perceived the woman’s need and answered her unspoken appeal for healing. Jesus said, “Daughter, you took a risk trusting me, and now you’re healed and whole. Live well, live blessed!” (B17 The Message) “He said to her, “Daughter, cheer up. Your faith has made you well. Go in shalom.” (The World English Bible: Messianic Edition) Shalom is more than a familiar greeting “go in peace”. It means, quietness, wholeness, health, well-being, integrity, salvation, security, safety, healing, freedom from molestation, harmonious relationships between men, and between man and God. (Interpreter’s Bible Dictionary & Vines Expository Dictionary)
“There is but one primal cause.” (S21) That cause is Principle. Sickness and sin are mental images, not real states of being. The awakening from the illusion of life in matter is Christ. Christ is the perpetual activity of good, casting out error and healing the sick. It is a direct connection of Love from God to you, bringing you into harmony with his creation. It is salvation. (all derived from S23, S&H p. 230)
After Mary Baker Eddy discovered Christian Science she proved the correctness and practicality of her discovery by effective healing over many years. Then she shared it with the world. “You can prove for yourself, dear reader, the Science of healing, and so ascertain if the author has given you the correct interpretation of Scripture.” (S&H 546: 28)
Section VI – Love is Lawgiver, divine Principle
Divine law lovingly governs. Law is control that exists beyond a shadow of doubt. The prophet Jeremiah understood this and told us that God’s law is written in our hearts, in our being. “I will put my law in their inward parts.” (B18) “Error of any kind cannot hide from the law of God.” (S&H 95: 11)
Several times in Science and Health, Mrs. Eddy links divine Principle to Love. For a while this seemed difficult for me to understand, but then I saw how natural and essential it is that Love is Principle. Otherwise, Love would be fickle and changeable, and it would not last. As Principle, Love remains Love at all times. “Love, the divine Principle, is the Father and Mother of the universe, including man.” (S&H 256:7) “Love fulfils the law of Christian Science …” (S&H 572: 12) Christian Science is that law and Principle is the lawgiver. “Christian Science, as demonstrated by Jesus, alone reveals the natural, divine Principle of Science.” (S25) Rightly understood, Christian Science isn’t a religion or a thought about God, it is God’s thought. Like sunlight, Christian Science blesses all men, whether they have ever heard of it, or whether they disdain it.
Here’s a great kickoff for the opening of CedarS 46th summer season (Sunday, 6-10): “O, how I love Your Law! It is what I think about all through the day. I have much desire for Your saving power, O Lord. Your Law is my joy. ” (New Life Version) (B20) This law of Love is within each of you right now and always!
Camp Director’s Note: The above sharing is the latest in a series of CedarS Bible Lesson “mets” (metaphysical application ideas) contributed weekly by a rotation of CedarS Resident Practitioners and occasionally by other metaphysicians. This document is intended to initiate further study as well as to encourage the application of ideas found in the Weekly Bible Lessons as printed in the Christian Science Quarterly and as available at Christian Science Reading Rooms.* Originally sent JUST to campers, staff and CedarS families who wanted to continue at home and in their home Sunday Schools the same type of focused Lesson study and inspiration they had felt at camp, CedarS lesson “mets” are in no way meant to be definitive or conclusive or in any way a substitute for daily study of the lesson in the books. The thoughts presented are the inspiration of the moment and are offered to give a bit more dimension, background and daily applicability to some of the ideas and passages being studied. The citations referenced (i.e. B1 and S28) from this week’s Bible Lesson in the “met” (metaphysical application ideas) are taken from the King James Version of the Bible (B1-24) and the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health With Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy. (S1-30) The Bible and Science and Health are the ordained pastor of the Churches of Christ, Scientist. The Bible Lesson is the sermon read in Christian Science church services throughout the world. The Lesson-Sermon speaks individually through the Christ to everyone, providing unique insights and tailor-made applications for each one. We are glad you requested this metaphysical sharing and hope that you find some of these ideas helpful in your daily spiritual journey, in your deeper digging in the books and in closer bonding with your Comforter and Pastor. Spirituality is your innate estate that connects you moment by moment with God. (See S&H 258:30) Christ is the gift of light that Jesus gave. This Christ light of spiritual understanding comes with and reveals infinite blessings. So, have fun unwrapping and cherishing your very special, spiritual gift(s)! Then, wherever you are, share them with all as big blessings that make the Infinite difference!
Enjoy!
Warren Huff, Camp Director director@cedarscamps.org (636) 394-6162
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A new, visually-oriented and very helpful resource for study of the weekly Bible Lesson is being produced by The Christian Science Publishing Society and can be found at: myBibleLesson.com. What a great auxiliary to lesson study — maybe even reading beyond citation markers using the handsome new student books now sold in Reading Rooms! MyBibleLesson contains word definitions, Bible background, timelines and translations, plus many healing ideas to use. Why not check out this effort to help bring to life each beloved Bible lesson in order to bless the youthful thinker and Sunday School student (and teacher) in us all!
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