 Posted Tuesday, January 15, 2008 9:26 PM
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Hi guys
Had seen your site many moons ago and was just cruising it now and was curious as to why all the emphasis on decrying CS? I am so sorry to hear that many of you have been hurt, injured or damaged by your involvement with it. But does it really matter what religion you are as long as that religion gets you closer to God and Jesus?
Also, do you not believe in spiritual healing? Just wondering. I attend a variety of churches regularly and one of the non-denominationals (Hope Chapel) advocates and expects physical healing... at least that is my understanding of their beliefs. Have most of you really not had healings, whether physical, emotional, financial, mental? Heck I rarely have a day go by when I haven't seen God's transforming grace doing something in my life that seemed improbable if not impossible. I am not a religious person by nature but go to church because I love God and Jesus so much and I have always loved how Christian Science (be it S&H, an article or lecture) has helped to deepen my understanding of God's great love for us and what it meant for his son to come to us. But to me it's all about understanding God and his love for us, not about religion
So again, just wondering, is CS really so bad that you have to rescue people from it? big hugs to those who've been disillusioned, brainwashed or living in 'fantasy'land
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Posted Tuesday, January 15, 2008 10:34 PM
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| Anonymous January 15 @ 11:26:37 PM, Glad you stopped by again. Good questions! ... why all the emphasis on decrying CS... does it really matter what religion you are as long as that religion gets you closer to God and Jesus?
From my experience (including about 3 decades studying CS and CS class instruction), I found that CS drew me away from God and Jesus. The more I studied the Scriptures in context and tried to reconcile God's word to CS, the more I found God and Jesus in the Bible and not in CS teachings. MBE claimed the Bible is full of thousands of errors and at least implied the perfection of S&H. Claiming the Biblical basis of CS came to make no sense to me unless I rejected the teachings upon which it was allegedly based.... do you not believe in spiritual healing?
I absolutely believe in God's healing grace. A member of my family is experiencing a serious medical crisis this week (no details for the sake of anonymity). Individually and through prayer lists, I estimate that I have asked more than 600 people to lift up my sick family member, his doctors, and the rest of our family to the Lord for His special Grace of healing, wisdom, comfort, patience, and traveling mercies. As each element of the crisis resolves, I give thanks to God to His Glory. I do not give thanks to the human founder of any earthbound organization, her writings, or the movement she founded. Prayer is a powerful privilege that God granted us as we pray in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ. Please pray as you feel led.I am not a religious person by nature but go to church because I love God and Jesus so much and I have always loved how Christian Science (be it S&H, an article or lecture) has helped to deepen my understanding of God's great love for us and what it meant for his son to come to us. But to me it's all about understanding God and his love for us, not about religion
"Religion" takes many forms and many meanings. CS does indeed appear to provide understanding of God's great love for us. It took me more than 30 years to think otherwise. I would disagree that it provides understanding of what it meant for Him to give His only Son. CS denies the reality of sin and the reality of God's creation. In denying sin, CS also denies the import of Jesus' ministry and sacrifice.... is CS really so bad that you have to rescue people from it?
Gonna let you in on a little secret... as a "five-point Calvinist" (merely a label of convenience to indicate the direction of my beliefs), I believe that only the Holy Spirit calls us to Him. Therefore, I have no power to rescue anyone from anyone or anything. He found me dead in my sin and called me to Him. I was unable to do anything to help even myself. Why He would choose such a broken mess as me is a great mystery. So, given that belief, why have I expended so much time and effort in writing more than a 1,122 posts in these forums (actually more than that as we archived a lot)?My participation in these forums has nothing to do with rescuing anyone, I can't do it and don't have the time to waste. It is also not to do battle with anyone except myself. Each time someone challenges my criticisms of CS, I use the opportunity to examine the criticisms from a Biblical perspective. Many times, I also read parts of once familiar CS writings as a check on what I study now and what I left behind. Thus, I have had hundreds of opportunities to reconsider CS and to dive deeper into Scriptures in almost surgical excisions of CS teaching that once so dominated my life. If in the process I have shared anything useful along the way, it has been in the spirit of the Great Commission and application of the scientific method. As you read my posts, I pray that I have in some small way been successful in encouraging putting God's word first and the teachings of man last. I don't care much what denomination someone finds most suitable for themselves, even if it's CS. Frankly, I crave and cherish the opportunity to discuss and explore God's word with anyone even if they disagree with me. Unfortunately, I'm frequently disappointed as too many discussions in these forums dissolve into ad hominen attacks and attempts to introduce anti-Biblical source texts. If you disagree with me, so be it. Understand, however, that I would like to understand the Biblical basis of your disagreement. Thank you for your questions and the opportunity tonight to write. Writing helps me clear my head and focus on what is important. Do Go Be Man
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Posted Wednesday, January 16, 2008 8:05 AM
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First of all I must say I love your screen name! I find it very inspiring. Second, wow, what a quick reply - thanks so much! I'd never written into a forum before and am not a big debater or discusser (too lazy to spend the time or do that much typing hee!) and am not apt to refute anything anyone might say here as I am just a guest who had a few questions. But I adore your obvious love of the scriptures and am so impressed by your continued questioning and studying. What a blessing that you have found what works for you to draw you closer to God. And by the way, count me in on praying for your dear family member
Last, I have no doubt that many people are blessed by the selfless effort you put into sharing your insights in this forum. Thank you so much for letting me be part of it. God bless!
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Posted Wednesday, January 16, 2008 8:20 PM
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But does it really matter what religion you are as long as that religion gets you closer to God and Jesus? The problem is that the Jesus of CS isn't the Jesus of the Bible. The God of CS isn't the God of the Bible. Have you ever had someone misunderstand you or make incorrect assumptions about you -- and then try to relate to you as the person they have decided you are rather than as the person you really are? It certainly doesn't make for a close relationship. I can't belive that God appreciates being redefined and then worshipped in a way that "works" for someone but misrepresents Him in the process.
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