Christian Science and Christian Ordinances
By R.
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE seems to be a revolt against all formalities and every kind of form. It denies that God has form, and thus reveals its kinship with pantheism. Christian Science does not conform to the rite of baptism. It can use as a chapter heading the words of Paul that he baptized no one, and then can pass over in silence many other words of Paul which show the binding obligation of this Christian ordinance. Paul forebore to baptize, that none might have occasion to say that they were of Paul; but all who were converted under Paul were baptized by some of Paul's assistants. If you doubt this, read the account of his work as recorded in the book of Acts. Is it Christian to use the words of Paul so as to imply what he never meant, and thus seek to make his words authorize the Scientists in their nonconformity? And is it Christian to disobey the plain teachings of the Word, notably that of the sixth chapter of the Epistle of Paul to the Romans? Christian Science does not conform to the observance of the Lord’s Supper. It finds its excuse for this in the fact that a mere outward conformity to the rite is nothing. This is true of the performance of any act. The mere outward observance of any Christian duty, even that of ministering to the sick, is of no religious value; but this is not to argue, therefore, that we should not minister to the sick. In other words, the abuse of an act does not release us from what we really ought to do. Christian Science must admit that Christ partook of the bread and wine on that first occasion, and thus set us an example. But Christian Science ignores this fact, and puts all attention and stress upon the fact that Christ said that He would drink it no more until He drank it anew with them in the kingdom. It is true that He said this. He was about to leave them, and they were to be without His bodily presence. But He gave them command which has perpetuated the ordinance and will give it life as a religious duty until He comes again. “This do,” said He; “in remembrance of Me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till He come.” Those who truly love Him ought to do what He says. Is it Christian to do otherwise? Christian Science seeks to do away with oral prayer, making all prayer so far as possible secret or mental. Christian Scientists do not seem to recognize form of any kind; and yet, by force of circumstances they are compelled to acknowledge marriage. They are too practical to do otherwise, altho it is plainly inconsistent with their foundation principles. Forms are all right, if they are living forms. Forms alone are mere carcasses, not only dead, but vilely odorous. Even truth has form as expressed in the law. Rom. 2:20. Doctrine has form. Rom. 6:17. There is a form of sound words. 2 Tim. 1:13. And godliness has a form to which should be joined its power. 2 Tim. 3:5. A man certainly ought to show his faith by his works; he ought to show his love by his obedience. He ought to observe all Christian ordinances, not merely outwardly and thus be a hypocrite, but he should observe9them spiritually and thus be a Christian. And no man has yet found a way of doing a thing inwardly which he kicks at doing outwardly. And let us not forget that God has promised to reward every man, not according to his thoughts or his spiritual communings, but according to his works. It is not “the hearers,” but “the doers,” whom God commends. The man who hears and does not, Christ likened to a man who built upon the sand, and we know with what result. If we can not be scientific, let us at least be Christian.