A leading advocate of Christian Science called upon the Editor of _The
Sunday School Times_ to protest against this article. The interesting
thing about the interview with this cultured representative of
Christian Science was his earnest effort to prove that he and his
fellow Scientists believed just what Christians who were teaching the
Victorious Life believed, and were aiming at the same kind of life. As
each point was mentioned there was this apparent agreement, until――mark
this――until the vicarious atonement through the blood of the Lord Jesus
Christ was mentioned. There he frankly confessed that they parted
company; they do not accept any atonement for sin.
At a Victorious Life Conference a Christian Scientist girl was
prevailed upon to attend a meeting where the subject was the meaning
of faith in laying hold of God’s Word that “My grace is sufficient
for thee,” and similar words of fact and promise. At the close of the
meeting an opportunity was given for those who wished by rising to
commit the whole matter of victory to God, trusting him to do it all by
grace. To the astonishment of her friends, the Christian Scientist girl
rose. She asked them, “Are you surprised that I stood? That is what I
have believed all along.” She was accepting it all as good Christian
Science. At the close of the period of question and discussion the
speaker asked if there were those present who had never accepted the
Lord Jesus as Saviour from sin, and did not know salvation through the
shed blood of Jesus. At the mention of the blood of the Lord Jesus
Christ, this young woman who had stood up to take a step of faith for
victory, rose at once from her seat and left the room.
Here we come to the heart of Christian Science error: it denies the
blood, the vicarious atonement for sin. And here is the secret of many
unsatisfactory attempts on the part of Christians to live a life of
victory. Earnestly seeking to claim the wonderful promises of God’s
word, many have failed to understand the meaning of the blood of Christ
and to share in experience his crucifixion death, that they might also
know the resurrection victory.