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Metaphysical Application Ideas for the Christian Science Bible Lesson on

“Life”
for January 9—15, 2017

By Craig L. Ghislin, C.S. Glen Ellyn, Illinois (Bartlett)
craig.ghislincs@icloud.com / (630) 830-8683

In the Golden Text the psalmist declares that his soul thirsts for the living God. Thirsting isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessity to sustain life—a strong, natural desire. Of course, some thirsts are misguided when looking to material means for fulfillment. True fulfillment comes from the real source of all things—God. Hence, the psalmist isn’t looking for symbols and representations. He is thirsting for the real thing—the “living” and true God. Idolatry is content with symbols and signs that only appear to have power, but in fact, have no power at all.

Theologian John Calvin (1509-1564), makes this astute observation: “…when we imagine God to be present otherwise than he has revealed himself in his word, … or when we form any gross or earthly conception of his heavenly majesty, we are only inventing for ourselves visionary representations, which disfigure the glory of God, and turn his truth into a lie.”

While we study the Lesson this week let’s remember that we can’t find life through casual perusal, or through material symbols, means, and methods. Let’s yearn for the understanding of God as Life, and incorporate it into our daily experience.

The Responsive Reading continues the theme of recognizing God as the only true, and living God, who established the world, and stretched out the heavens. All the other so-called gods are but empty symbols of a limited, fluctuating human belief. But the true God isn’t a symbol. He is Life itself, unchanging and eternal.

The psalmist is praising God after deliverance from a life-threatening situation. He promises to call on God as long as he lives. The phrase “gat hold upon me” means he was found after hiding. He was pursued and caught. When he called for help, God was there to deliver him. He says, “thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.” If anyone has ever been through a life-threatening challenge, he knows exactly how the psalmist feels.

I met such a challenge several years ago. The story is much too long to tell here, but it was a five-month ordeal that included a collapsed lung, a 40 lb. weight loss within a week, and a host of other issues. Through this challenge I held on to the fact that God didn’t just give me life, God is my Life. I also realized that God is my health, and I exist in Him, and because of Him. What I know or don’t know intellectually makes no difference. But what I truly know in my heart can only be properly based on what God knows. That’s what matters—complete reliance on the fact that He knows me. Psalm 116 perfectly describes my feeling as the healing was realized.

Also take note that the last line, “I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living,” is a conscious choice for Life. It is extremely important that we never concede to evil. We choose life, and we mean it. That’s what I did, and that’s why I’m here to tell you about it.

Section 1: Know Where You Come From

Job and Elihu were on equal terms. They were both products of God’s creative mandate. While these words (B1) are given to Elihu as a preamble to his defense of his part of the discussion, it is also a good place to start for us. It’s a spiritual fact. God creates us all. Some commentators view “the daytime” and “the night” (B2) as metaphors for prosperous and sorrowful times. But we can also take these words at face value. In a world that had no electricity, the nights were very dark, and many believed that evil ruled the darkness, and with the dark came a host of malicious spirits. It was easy to believe in God when the sun was shining, but the darkness brought fear and spawned superstition. Thus, the psalmist is radically bold in his declaration that God is present at all times, light and dark. Citation B3 assures us that God holds our souls in life, and never allows our feet to slip.

Our textbook clearly states that the only realities in Science—in reality— are Life, Truth, and Love (S1). The entire first section emphatically underscores the fact that God is the ONLY Life, that God is not inscrutable, but knowable; and that knowing God can be demonstrated through healing (S2). During the challenge I mentioned earlier, when I was in the darkest hours, my yielding to the fact that God is my Life and that he knew me, strengthened my faith and trust, as only the understanding of God can (S3). This is true for everyone. There is nothing but God and His idea. There is no other wisdom, truth, loveliness, life, or goodness but that which comes from God (S4).

Section 2: Divine Authority Preserves All Life

The psalmist tells us God’s mercy is in the heavens—His law is the highest authority—and that God provides life for man and beast alike. He also likens God to “the fountain of life” (B4). While some commentators point out the special importance fountains represent in a mid-East climate, theologian Adam Clarke (ca. 1760-1832), refers to the “fountain of life” as an allusion to “the vein of our lives.” He writes, “As the heart, by means of the great aorta, distributes the blood to the remotest parts of the body; so, God…conveys the life-giving streams of his providential goodness to all the worlds and beings he has created…”

When I was taking a Bible history class in college, everyone was shocked to find out that the character of Daniel was most likely a legend and a composite character. As I recall the basic argument against the authenticity of Daniel at the time was based on historic inaccuracies that made it impossible for one individual, Daniel, to serve under all the kings mentioned. I did a quick search to see if anything had changed since my early college days, and scholars are still arguing about it though on slightly different basis. Retired Pastor Robert L Deffinbaugh from Richardson, Texas, gives an interesting analysis of the issues that can be found online at https://bible.org/seriespage/1-daring-believe-daniel. He concludes thus:

The person of Daniel provides the Christian with a model of a godly man, from his youth to the end of his life. He demonstrates how a Christian can live a godly life in an ungodly world and have an impact upon the society in which he lives, even when in a minority. He is an example of a man who learned to stand alone for God when it was dangerous to do so. He has much to teach us about faithfulness in times of suffering and adversity, about leadership, and about the sovereignty of God. Daniel is a reminder of God’s faithfulness, even when men are unfaithful. Daniel shows how God can work in our lives, even through those who are unbelievers and who are opposed to God’s people.

Daniel’s situation, though extreme, bears similarities to circumstances many of us face today. In many areas of the world, Christian Scientists are often few and far between, and it can feel that we are greatly outnumbered. Like Daniel, most Christian Scientists strive to for excellence in their work, and most do their utmost to lead ethical, principled lives. Also like Daniel, many have, for one reason or another, found themselves the targets of envious co-workers bent on getting them out of the way. We may not face a den of lions, but it can seem like there are ferocious beasts licking their chops to get us.

Mrs. Eddy taught that when faced with evil, we should handle the “what,” not the “who.” So what is Daniel facing? He’s faced with jealousy, envy, injustice, mortal danger, intrigue, perfidy, slander, and a host of other challenges that all seem to place his life at the mercy of others (B5). Daniel’s enemies specifically tried to catch him on issues regarding his religious practices. We too, can sometimes face these challenges. We’d like to think we can reason with people, but sometimes like with hungry lions, reason isn’t an option. What do we do? Even as Daniel did, we turn whole-heartedly to God, who preserves not only ourselves but those who seem to threaten us.

Our textbook assures us that God preserves the life of all—even the beasts (S5, S9 and PS#1). As we just mentioned, “beasts” can mean more than animals. However, our Leader literally included animals under the umbrella of divine Love’s protection. If Daniel was real, and faced a den of hungry lions, he most certainly would have been deeply engaged in prayer and soul searching. It might have seemed to him that the deceptive powers of evil could handcuff good people, and overrule justice. Sometimes material health laws can seem to have such power. If it were true, it would be disheartening, as our textbook points out (S6). But, God’s law nullifies material belief. When we understand divine Science, false laws will dissolve, powerless (S7).

As Daniel prayed he may have looked deep into himself to be sure he was totally faithful to God. Being so, he could not be punished for serving his God. We are told to look into our hearts to measure our own obedience (S8). Daniel was safe because he knew he was innocent, as was the deceived king, and the beasts before him. Malice and hatred could not ultimately win over the power of Love (S9).

When we’re faced with envy, malice, deceit, and collusion we can remember this lesson from Daniel. God is the only power over all, and All (S10).

Section 3: True Wisdom and Understanding Lead to Life

Reflecting upon the character of Daniel, we can see that his devotion was no superficial act. Love of, and service to God was embedded in his nature. Wisdom and understanding are recorded in Proverbs (B6) as bringing happiness, and peace, and as a “tree of life.” Albert Barnes (1798-1870), points out that the tree of life is in juxtaposition to the tree of knowledge that leads to death. True wisdom is knowing—not theorizing—and, as Daniel’s knowing preserved him, so will we find life through understanding.

Nicodemus comes to Jesus under cover of darkness, and tells him those in the religious establishment “know” that Jesus’ works indicate he is with God, but Jesus replies that more than an acknowledgement is required. To really know him, and to see the kingdom of God, one needs to be reborn (B7 and PS#2 “from above”). This rebirth implies a change of thinking at the root level. We must realize that we are not, and never were born into matter. “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” John’s first Epistle also declares boldly, “we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true and we are in him that is true” (B9).

Scottish Baptist preacher and contemporary of Mrs. Eddy, Alexander MacLaren (1826-1910), writes, “…to know about God is one thing, and to know God is quite another. … To know about God is theology, to know Him is religion. … He gives us-not an accurate theology, but a loving friendship” [emphasis added]. This friendship is demonstrated through devoted living.

Jesus exemplified devoted living, and expected others to follow his example. He completely rejected all physical laws because he knew, without question that God is the only law-giver and creator (S11). We can work toward that understanding as we realize that material life isn’t a “real existence” even temporarily. Material life is no more than a “misapprehension of existence” (S12). Understanding that we live on a spiritual, rather than a material basis, we will perceive what life truly is (S13).

Our Leader tells us if we expect to be successful in rising above the lie of life in matter, we should refrain from constantly thinking of existence as material (S14). Nicodemus had to break free from the entire mortal picture of birth, growth, maturity, and decay in matter. He needed to be reborn in Spirit. As we replace the belief of material birth, life, and eventual demise, with the truths of Christian Science, the clouds of error will part, and we will see that man is never born in matter, and never dies out of it (S15 and PS#2).

Section 4: Understanding True Worship

What does it take to get to know God? The book of Job poses the question, “Canst thou by searching find out God?” (B9). God can’t be found through human means, or through human reasoning, or powers. Some theologies declare God to be inscrutable altogether. Some feel that a leap of faith is required. But only spiritual sense reveals the realities of being. The men of Athens did their best to show reverence to the gods of their time, including those they were unaware of. Paul acknowledged their efforts, but yearned for them to raise their idea of worship to true knowledge of the one God (B10 and PS#3). As mentioned early on, God doesn’t depend on statuary or architecture to reach man. In fact nothing men can do has any bearing on God. It’s entirely the other way around. Man can do nothing without God. God is the creator of all things, and everything lives, moves, and has its being in God.

Our Leader felt much the same as Paul did when he appealed to the men of Athens. She yearned for the world to rise above ignorance and blind faith, to the full understanding of God as taught in Christian Science. This understanding promises much more than a happy life, and potential passport to heaven. It is the true path to the understanding of eternal Life (S16). Outward worship is not enough. Commitment to God needs to be woven into our hearts. As our lives are corrected, and in the exact proportion that good predominates over evil in our hearts, will we see our lives improved (S18).

The men of Athens had so many monuments to so many gods—even ones they weren’t sure of—because they were casting a wide net in the effort to understand both the origins and ends of existence. Today, by the sheer volume of self-help books, YouTube videos, and Ted Talks, it’s clear that people are still searching for deeper meaning in their lives. But, by and large, they are still trying to find answers in matter-based thinking. Mrs. Eddy urges us to “reverse our feeble flutterings” and start looking towards God (S19).

The search for meaning is also seen in the sciences. Why are we here? How did we get here? What were our ancestors like? Archaeology and anthropology are fascinating subjects, but more and more emphasis is placed on DNA to find out about our origins and evolution. In truth, man originates in God and our ancestry is spiritual (S20). We didn’t really evolve through mutations in DNA into different species. The real man has always been what he always was—a complete idea of the one Mind, God. As our textbook states, “Spirit is his primitive and ultimate source of being…” [See PS#3 on the “Scientific Statement of Being” as related to citation B10.]

Section 5: Life Cannot Be Lost

We often hear how fragile life is. Disease, violence, pollution, and climate—all have potentially deadly effects. Perhaps the biggest threat to life is that of accidents, the unknown evil lurking around the corner. Expectation of evil is overruled by a full faith in God’s unerring law. The psalmist has a proven record of divine protection. Based on this proof, he has made a bold decision—“I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living” (B11).

In Acts we have the story of Eutychus falling from a third floor window. As an interesting aside, many commentators say the reason the windows were open in the first place, was to assure detractors that nothing untoward was happening in Christian gatherings—a sort of open-door policy. For whatever the reason, the windows were open, and a young man named Eutychus fell from a third floor window, and died from the fall. Paul went to him. Completely disregarding the physical picture of a deadly accident, Paul said, “his life is in him” (B12). Paul never accepted the possibility of an accident. No doubt this strong stand enabled Paul to realize the healing.

Accepting the “inevitability,” or even possibility of accidents opens the door to trouble. Science and Health tells us the beliefs we entertain are manifested in our experience (S21). However, to overcome the belief that accidents can destroy life, Mrs. Eddy stays with her basic premise that Life is God. She reasons that if Life were dependent on matter, it would mean that God was dependent on matter, and that would make God mortal—a self-evident impossibility (S22). Matter has nothing to do with Life, and matter is “unknown to Spirit” (S23).

Likewise, our Leader is sure that God has nothing to do with accidents (S24). He doesn’t know them, allow them, or plan them. Nor can they happen without His permission. There simply can be no accidents under God’s direction. Even if an accident appears to be real, there is “no lapse from nor return to harmony” in God’s kingdom (S25). As we said, Mrs. Eddy maintains her premise. “Life is eternal” (S26). That’s all there is to it. This unwavering conviction enabled her to heal all types of illness including those that appeared fatal. She goes so far as to say it is a sin to believe that anything can overpower God. She implies that realizing God’s control over the belief of accident is a stepping-stone to the ability to heal disease (S27). So let’s be sure not to think that any form of evil has power. God is All and the only power. This preserves us from all danger.

Section 6: Jesus Shows Us the Way

Human theories come and go, but the law of Life as demonstrated through Christ Jesus never changes or vacillates (B13). Jesus plainly stated that his teachings and example are the only way to understand eternal Life (B14). His entire mission was to show us what real life is. Nothing can destroy the life of man because God is our Life (B15). It’s really very simple. No other figure in history offered a path to the understanding of eternal life as Jesus did. Others may have talked about an afterlife or some sort of enlightenment. But Christ Jesus alone not only taught us how to get there, he proved it by raising the dead and overcoming death himself (B16).

Jesus’ teachings weren’t a product of his personal discoveries. They are evidence of the Christ he embodied (S28). The Christianity Jesus taught wasn’t wishful thinking about a theoretical paradise. It was a solid pathway to actually realize eternal life. Jesus taught that God is our Life (S29). Mrs. Eddy realized that understanding this teaching gives us the power to overcome any material belief contrary to the law of God (S30).

All around us there are challenges to life. But if we allow the true understanding of eternal Life to inform us, and replace the fear and doubt that attend mortal beliefs, we can overcome these challenges (S31). As we’ve mentioned before, material existence is a beliefnot a state of existence. It’s no more than a dream. This dream is “entirely separate from the reality” (S32). Material belief is a closed system. It’s a lie telling a lie to itself, and believing its own lie. Life is not material. God is our Life, and as we understand that, and allow the truth to be embedded in our hearts, letting it guide our thoughts and actions, our thirst for the real thing—for the living God— will be quenched, and we’ll demonstrate our “dominion over the whole earth.”


[Warren’s (W’s) PS#1: Cobbey Crisler comments on Psalm 36:6 (B4).
“Let's not leave out veterinary medicine as far as God is concerned, because the statement is made here, “You preserve both man and beast." Perhaps some of you have heard this story. It's a very moving one. It was reported to me by someone who is in the audience today. About the illustration of God's love and care for what we would call an animal or beast. In this case, it was a goat. The female goat was having difficulty in giving birth to its kid. The pain was so obvious that the owner of the farm on which this goat was roomed and boarded felt so deeply about what was happening that she seemed to [go] all to pieces emotionally. She canceled everything else she had to do except very priority appointments, and stayed in the stall near that goat… Finally, in that kind of desperation that has always held out some hope for man because we've given up every other exploration of alternatives, she said this, "Dear Father, please show to this one of your lesser ideas in a way that they may understand Thy love and Thy care." That brought a sense of peace so that the concern and worry were not as paramount. As she sat there, the door of the barn was open slightly, in the crack came a rabbit. The rabbit wasn't at all concerned by the presence of a human, went right by her to the stall to the goat and began to lick the face of that goat and kept licking and loving, licking and loving. Then after the rabbit had fulfilled its assignment—it was a divine assignment—that rabbit came through prayer—it left and the goat stopped its cries, and got vertical, got well and had the kid without any after effects. That kind of song in our hearts answered directly, “Thou preservest man and beast.” How we could utilize those thoughts! That wasn’t quoted from the Psalms but it was based on a revealed fact that came from a joyous heart. The rabbit responded. Like the fish responded when Jesus needed tax money (Matthew 17:27). These are potions from God’s dispensary.”
Leaves of the Tree: Prescriptions from Psalms” by B. Cobbey Crisler]

[W’s PS#2: Cobbey Crisler comments on “you must be born from above” as in John 3:1-7 (B7).

“John 3:1 begins with an introduction to "Nicodemus." Nicodemus was a rather cautious man that ran around back alleys after twilight. He didn't want to be seen by his day time friends. Sort of like one of those captions in the Charlie Chaplin movie, where Charlie was a waiter during the day, but dressed up in the finest tuxedo at night. The caption simply said, "Charlie's friends of the evening didn't know Charlie's friends of the day." I think this is probably true of Nicodemus.

“John 3:2, "He comes to Jesus by night.'·' He's in a rather awkward position because he is a member of the Sanhedrin, the ruling body of Jews, that later convicts Jesus. If what he says is accurate, it is an unfortunate commentary on the motives that led to the crucifixion of Jesus. If he is really speaking for the Sanhedrin when he says, "We know that thou art a teacher came from God,” then that is a tremendous commitment. If we know that you are a teacher come from God, where is the evidence? What evidence do they use as proof? Such semeia, or signs, or significant results, can’t happen unless God is with you.

“John 3:3, “Jesus makes this comment, unless a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” You know how popular that particular verse has become in our century. Yet it’s based on a misapprehension of the original word. We really don’t find John here using the Greek word “anothen” here in the sense of “again”. It can suggest the idea of “again.” But John uses it more in these terms, “from above."

"Anothen” means "from above." Now look at that statement that Jesus is making,

"Except a man be born from above, he cannot see the kingdom, or dominion, of God." This is a theological breakthrough that’s incalculable. You can’t see the kingdom, which, by the way, he told us was not only within, but here, right here. It wasn't a future far off thing. "But to see it one must be born from above.” This is a definition of nativity which sounds totally impractical for us as human beings, and yet it's apparently something that Jesus based his whole theology upon. And he got the results from the concept that man is born from above

“We ran into that in the first chapter of John, Verses 12 and 13, when he said, "We all, if we will receive it, have the authority to become the sons of God. 11 But to be God's son means you've got to cut the animal connection, those links or roots in "blood, will of the flesh, and will of man 11 Sever those links.

“A nativity higher, is that practical?

“John 3:4. Nicodemus wonders about that himself. He even goes to the extreme of saying, "How do you do that? Do you climb back into your mothers womb, and get born all over again? 11 This is obviously a negatively impossible event, so Nicodemus is somewhat laughing up his sleeve.

“John 3:5. Then Jesus says, "Except a man be born of water, which was the usual way by which children were born in the presence of water, "and of the Spirit, · he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." The normal, natural biological birth is not going to do anything. In order to enter the kingdom or dominion of God, something about nativity has to be understood. A nativity that is higher and not tied into biology. Why?

“Because of John 3:6 one of the most practical statements ever made in the Bible, "That which is born of the flesh is flesh.” And it's not going to rise any high­ er than its source. Should we be doing something about recognizing origin in Spirit? Is this what is behind the meaning, again, logos? Get to the meaning. Nativity in Spirit. "That which is born of the flesh is flesh.” It's never going to go anywhere else. That's pretty clear cut.

“We've got to get out of that concept of flesh. Again, is this really practical theology? Or is it, again, pie in the sky? If we have any concept of arising at some spiritual goal, then we've got to start as if we originated there.

“John 3:9, "Nicodemus says, How can these things be?"

“John 3:10, "Jesus said, You're a teacher in Israel, and you haven't grasped these things?" Think of the average point of view when you've been dealing with the Bible all your life. Then in John 3:13 he makes one of those magnificent statements that requires almost a lifetime search.

"No man hath ascended up to heaven." Isn't that what practically every religion puts in the heart of its communicants? Doesn't everybody want to get to a destination labeled heaven? "Ascended up to heaven," but no one gets there, except "he that came down from heaven.” The same thing, "That which is born of the Spirit is spirit," John 3:6. You can't get there via flesh.

“Apparently this critical awareness of man's nativity as God's child free from "blood, will of flesh, lust of the will of man," is not just a nice theory. Jesus is introducing it as the prerequisite for comprehending the kingdom of God and seeing it· here and now. The son of Man sees it humanly, "No man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the son of Man which is in heaven.” Is it possible for humanhood to experience the kind of harmony on earth as it is in heaven? There is the major challenge.

“It's almost the same question that God asks Job 38:33, after all the mental argument is through for forty chapters or so, when God says to Job, "Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven? canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth?" Imagine being able to express the dominion of heaven right on earth. Is that possible for the son of Man? Or must we wait for some future event where we float up to the sky on a pink cloud somewhere with a harp from Angel Rent-A-Harp, Incorporated? That's a problem. We often try to rent a harp instead of earn it.

“How practical this is, "No man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man already there." Never moved. That claim, then, of heavenly nativity. It has to have something that is of major importance, John including it, and giving it so much space.”

John, the Beloved Disciple by B. Cobbey Crisler]

[Warren’s PS#3 on Mary Baker Eddy’s “reiteration” of Paul words in Athens in (Acts 17:28, B10):
**“St. Paul said to the Athenians, “For in Him we live and move and have our being.” This statement is in substance identical with my own: “There is no life, truth, substance, nor intelligence in matter.” It is quite clear that this great verity has not yet been fully demonstrated, but it is nevertheless true. If Christian Science reiterates Paul’s teaching, we, as Christian Scientists, should give to the world convincing proof of the validity of this scientific statement of being. Having perceived, in advance of others, this scientific fact, we owe to ourselves and to the world a struggle for its demonstration.” Retrospection and Introspection, 93: 17

Also, Cobbey Crisler shared insights on the context of Paul’s words to the Athenians in Acts 17 (B10): “Well, now Paul is heading for the cultural capital of civilization, Athens. And you can’t even go to modern day Athens without appreciating somewhat of what Paul saw, looking around at the remnants of that great city and “the columned buildings that were dedicated to so many gods. It must have moved Paul.” …

“And so he opens his mouth and begins right away to talk in Athens. Now this is a tough area in which to introduce Christianity, except at least they were willing to listen because everybody talked about anything. I mean there were a lot of weirdo sects and ideas that they welcomed without question in Athens because everybody liked to dispute these ideas anyway.

“He’s in the market, the agora, as well as in the synagogue. He runs into Epicureans; he runs into Stoics.” Now Tarsus where Paul came from happens to be a Stoic stronghold. So he must have been certainly aware of that philosophy…

“They bring him to Areopagus, the hill of Mars or Aries, and they asked him to explain what he has to say.” … Acts 17:22  Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.

Paul, standing there, shows how a lecture can be tailor-made to any environment. And, it’s better than uniformity if you want to get the ear of the locals. And in this way, you will find at no point does Paul mention the Old Testament. Why? (Pause) What would that mean to the Athenians? (See below, Acts 17:23, paraphrased)

Instead, he kind of says, “On my way to the forum…you know. In other words, here I was, and I saw something you had back here. And, it says TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.” (See Acts 17:23 …

“Would everybody be listening? It relates. He’s picked up something locally. And, would you also be listening if he said “That monument you put ‘TO THE UNKNOWN GOD’, I want to tell you a little something about him. He’s unknown to you, but here’s some information that might be helpful… “And then, in Acts 17, verse 24, he describes “that God who made all, and therefore, couldn’t dwell in temples made with hands.” (paraphrased…)

We’re reminded of whom? Yes, but since Jesus, we heard that from Stephen, remember? As Saul, himself, he had heard that.

“He dwelleth not in temples made with hands.” (repeated paraphrased)

What do you think that comment does when you’re looking at the Parthenon and buildings like it? “God doesn’t dwell in all of this. He made everything. How can you contain Him?” (See below, paraphrased) Very interesting point.

Acts 17:25 Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;

And also, Acts 17, verse 26, if you want to see where the concept of church was in Paul’s thinking. “He hath made of one blood all nations….” (See below, paraphrased)

Acts 17:26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;

Have we even arrived at that point today in our thinking? “One blood all nations.” (See above, partial)

I doubt the Athenians had either.

“That everyone should seek the Lord,” Acts 17:27. (paraphrased)…

“The search where God is…” will end up with the conclusion in the last line of Acts 17, verse 27, “that He’s not very far from every one of us.” (paraphrased)

And then Paul very cleverly introduces lines from local poets: “In him we live, and move, and have our being” and “for we are also his offspring” – parts of poems we have identified, and they even know the authors. (See below, partial)

Acts 17:28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being**; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.”…

“After the Master, What? The Book of Acts” by B. Cobbey Crisler]

[**W’s PS#4: Today's "Daily Lift" by Blythe Evans, CS, entitledT "Expecting a long and joyous life" has wonderful connections to this week's lesson! (B10, PS#3]

[W’s PS#5: You can buy your own transcripts (and audio CDs) of most of Cobbey Crisler’s 28 talks at a new website: www.crislerlibrary.co.uk Email your order or inquiry to office@crislerlibrary.co.uk, or directly to Janet Crisler, at janetcrisler7@gmail.com ]


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Ballwin, MO 63011

[THANKS TO YOU PRECIOUS DONORS FOR YOUR ONGOING, GENEROUS and NEEDED SUPPORT OF CedarS IMPORTANT WORK!]


[CedarS weekly Metaphysical Newsletter is provided at no charge to the 1,200 campers and staff blessed each summer at CedarS, as well as to CedarS alumni, families and friends who have requested it. However, current and planned gifts are a big help and are greatly appreciated in defraying the costs of running this service and of providing needed camperships, programs and operations support.

[The Met application ideas above are provided primarily to help CedarS campers and staff (as well as friends) see and daily demonstrate the great value of studying and applying the Christian Science Bible lessons throughout the year, not just at camp! YOU CAN ALSO SIGN UP for weekly emails from past CedarS staff of possible ways to share Bible Lesson applications with older, as well as younger, Sunday School classes by clicking the "Subscribe Now" button (lower left) at http://www.cedarscamps.org/metaphysical/ ]

American Camp Association

MAIN OFFICE
(November - May)
410 Sovereign Court #8
Ballwin, MO 63011
(636) 394-6162

CAMP OFFICE
(Memorial Day Weekend - October)
19772 Sugar Dr.
Lebanon, MO 65536
(417) 532-6699

Support our mission!

CedarS Camps

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