Page:Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures (1898).djvu/349

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ATONEMENT AND EUCHARIST.
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The Hebrew verb to believe means also to be firm, or to be constant. This certainly applies to Truth and Love, understood and practised. Firmness in error will never save from sin, disease, and death.

Acquaintance with the original texts, and willingness to give up human beliefs (established by hierarchies, Holy chart. and instigated sometimes by the worst passions of men), open the way for Christian Science to be understood, and make the Bible the chart of Life, to mark the healing currents and buoys of Truth.

He to whom “the arm of the Lord is revealed” will believe our report, and rise into newness of Life, with Radical changes. regeneration. This is having part in the atonement; this is the understanding, wherein Jesus suffered and triumphed. The time is not distant when the ordinary theological views of atonement will undergo a great change, — a change as radical as that which has come over popular opinions in regard to predestination and future punishment.

Does erudite theology regard the crucifixion of Jesus as chiefly providing a ready pardon for all sinners who Purpose of crucifixion. ask for it, and are willing to be forgiven? Does Spiritualism find Jesus' death necessary only for the presentation, after death, of the material Jesus, as a proof that spirits can return to earth? Then we must differ from them both.

The efficacy of the crucifixion lies in the practical affection and goodness it demonstrated for mankind. The Truth had been living in their midst; but until they saw that it enabled their Master to triumph over the grave, his own disciples could not admit such an