"I've grown accustomed to your face" the song says, and unfortunately too many Christian Scientists have grown accustomed to the face of full-text Bible lessons, audio Bible lessons, and even video presentations thereof. Some may need to make temporary use of audio lessons, but to use them as a permanent study sippy-cup is to remain a student in diapers. The cowbird of convenience has laid its egg in many mental nests, and upon hatching, the chick has rudely ejected the Bible and writings of Mary Baker Eddy. These modern "aids", or whatever they are, are a bit like the old movie illusion where persons are seen "riding" in a car, train, stagecoach, bus, etc., but they only appear to be moving because just the background they are superimposed against moves, giving the false impression of progress. This trick is ok in movies, but a very bad MO, so to speak, for the study of Christian Science. Thus the dying of the Light undoubtedly goes on in many well-meaning minds.
Mrs. Eddy demanded the study and pondering of the Bible and her writings. In answer to the question "How can I progress most rapidly in the understanding of Christian Science?" she answers (in part) "Study thoroughly the letter and imbibe the spirit." (S&H 495: 25-28) There is really no easy-does-it option for the would-be dabbler and plodder in Science who is content to back up fellow wanderers in the slow lane. The two Ben Jonson epigrams which Mrs. Eddy provides as epigraphs to Prose Works leave no doubt what she expected. A cannon-ball or two and leisurely float on an air mattress are not a vigorous work-out in the pool any more than listening every day to the Bible lesson on tape or CD is study. Does anyone doubt that (with the exception of a temporary need) Mrs. Eddy would have metaphysically applied one of her dainty shoes to the backside of these expedients had they arisen under her watch?
Reading, even methodical, somnambulistic daily reading, of the Bible and writings of MBE is not study per se. The dictionary bit can be annoying, but the Student's Dictionary has this definition (in part) for study: to fix the mind closely upon a subject; to dwell upon in thought; to apply the mind to books; to endeavor diligently. And (in part) for ponder: to weigh in the mind; to view with deliberation; to examine. So presumably if a Christian Scientist is not doing those things he isn't being obedient to the behests of Christ Jesus and Mrs. Eddy. Their enjoinders are shoes our minds must become accustomed to no matter how ill they may seem to fit today.
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25 comments:
Good for you! You are able, with your talent, to put into words things that need to be said, as never before. How many CS's out here should read this blog post.
Thank you so much for working to raise the bar to the place that our Leader would approve of.
Appropro title, and fine entry. You have got to be a teacher somewhere--probably of English or creative writing.
Enjoy your blog.
Love it, particularly the part about the dainty shoes. I do believe she would do just that.
Get real, blogger. You don't actually think people are going to buckle down and study, do you? Not these days, they're not. Attention span way too short for what you're recommending. If it takes thought and work, they're out of here.
Found this blog post quite helpful -- even if you don't get many takers. But keep trying to lift up the standard!
As always with you, very well done. Should be a boost to many of your readers and encourage deeper study.
Right on!
Being obedient to the behests of Christ Jesus and the writings of our Leader, as you put it, is something we have to do--for our own well-being if nothing else. Thanks for pointing out how to do this better.
Another first-class message on our Christian Science and how to practice it better.
Many thanks, blogger...
You have such a fresh way of tackling important issues, and I always love seeing what you've been pondering.
Keep up the good work!
Appreciate all your wonderful essays. Have been reading your blog for many months, and want to congratulate you on nearly a year of fine posting.
Here's to the upcoming year!
You are blessing so many out here with your deep thinking about the teachings of Christian Science. Anything we can do to gain more of its power, I say, let us do it!
Love the way you describe what our Leader would do metaphysically speaking to those who are dragging the banner in the dust. Well put, the entire blog post.
Well crafted and helpful. When I think of all that Mary Baker Eddy, not to mention God through our Lord and Saviour, has given us, well, we should be getting into more depth and understanding of the treasures we have.
You have a wonderful website. Thank you for all the good you are doing in the Field.
Best wishes,
God bless you for keeping to such a high level of blogging. So good to see someone who thinks about metaphysical truths and has the ability to express what you are seeing as important.
Thanks!
Nice blog post, and quite helpful definitions you've given your readers.
Thanks much,
A real treat to read CS offerings so well-written. Do keep employing your considerable talent on our behalf.
Best to you, blogger...
Thank you so much for all the wonderful thoughts you've shared. You've helped me immensely!
God bless you,
Such a flair for expressing what you are learning from your study. And you're encouraging others to get into the Bible and the truths of Christian Science more seriously.
Good job.
Do you know what I'm thankful for? That with all the truth-telling you've done on your website the past few months re: the wrongdoing by Boston officials, you are still going strong!
God is clearly behind what you are doing for the Cause.
I very much enjoy your blog and it's thought-provoking effect. I do have a question: I'm puzzled by your adament disapproval of the full text lessons. Why? It seems to me that it makes it easier to study the lesson anywhere, any time, than having to only depend upon marked books. I remember as a young adult feeling that the marking of books every Sunday night was sort of ritualistic activity. I really can't imagine that Mrs. Eddy would disapprove.
To the commenter who wrote that s/he is "puzzled by your adamant disapproval of the full text lessons": I second the motion.
What a time-waster was marking the books, when there were reasonable alternatives.
The Bible lesson can be read superficially, as readily from the books as from a full-text quarterly.
Not all changes are good, but not all are so terrible either.
Thanks for so many of your other posts, though. Always well done!
An anonymous poster wrote a few days ago: "What a time-waster was marking the books, when there were reasonable alternatives. The Bible lesson can be read superficially, as readily from the books as from a full-text quarterly."
Yes, but the question is, Can the Bible Lesson be read in depth and in context from the Full Text? I think not.
((I'm puzzled by your adament disapproval of the full text lessons. Why? It seems to me that it makes it easier to study the lesson anywhere, any time, than having to only depend upon marked books.))
I find the desire to read the Lesson any place etc etc a bit silly. Christian Science practice means you should study and be prepared before you venture forth, and then demonstrate what you have learned on your daily walk. Jesus did not stop in the middle of the square and start reading scripture.
Thank you for thoughtful writings. I am one of the thousands who has fallen into the routine of listening to the weekly lesson on my iPod and reading the full text. I tell myself that it is easy and convenient.
Thank you this blog entry. It touches on something that I know, yet very conveniently put at the back of my thought.
If you have ever marked the weekly lesson in the books (Bible and S&H), you will find yourself reading passages before and after the one that you are marking. Sometimes, you will read entire chapters that give wonderful context and insight into the lesson.
Yes, it does take a long time, but it is well worth the effort. Thanks again.
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