Amidst the myriad reports of suffering from the Covid-19 virus, some people have wondered, “Where is God in all this?”
I recently read an article in the New York Times titled, “Where is God in a pandemic?” written by James Martin, a Jesuit priest. The sub-title to his article was, “The honest answer is, we don’t know.”
In his piece, he outlines many traditional Christian beliefs about God that often bring comfort to many embroiled in suffering, but in summary he writes, “In the end, the most honest answer to the question of why the Covid-19 virus is killing thousands of people, why infectious diseases ravage humanity and why there is suffering at all is: We don’t know. For me, this is the most honest and accurate answer.”
It’s a verdict that hundreds of millions of people around the world hold in common.
But there is an answer! God does not cause the suffering. God is not in the suffering. God has nothing to do with the suffering. God is Love, and divine Love is present to save humanity from the suffering.
As Christian Science explains, suffering is the effect of error. Mary Baker Eddy wrote, “Error, not Truth, produces all the suffering on earth” (Science and Health, p. 386). She defines error as, “…a supposition that pleasure and pain, that intelligence, substance, life are existent in matter” (Science and Health, p. 472).
We can help alleviate suffering around the world by defeating the belief system that life and intelligence abide in matter and are capable of destroying health. Jesus Christ proved this belief system to be erroneous. He healed disease and restored people to health through his understanding of Truth. He did not believe in error. He did not believe that matter was in control. His understanding of divine control empowered him to neutralize germs and save lives. He believed in God, in Life and health.
Christian Science continues this ministry today, teaching that matter is not in control of our health, and that Spirit is present to keep us healthy and strong.
Where is God in all this? God is in the same place God has always been. God is Truth and is found in Truth. The belief system that matter is in control through disease is not a truth. It’s an error that Truth defeats.
Let’s side with Truth and win this battle.
“If Christian Science takes away the popular gods, – siin, SICKNESS, and death, – it is Christ, Truth, who destroys these evils, and so proves their nothingness.” Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy. (p. 347)
How true Evan! SO grateful to be a student of C. S. THE WORLD needs it so desperately! , we justjust have to keep doing the work as Jesus directed,”go out into thethe world and of each the gospel to every living creature”‘ we will, can’t stop! Thank you FoR all the good work you do .
Yes, Gwen! We can and must go out into the world and preach the good news to every creature! They are ready for it! And if not, we have planted the seed of Truth. “Onward Christian soldiers!” Thank you Evan again for you inspiration. (=
Thank you Evan ..I especially like “Where is God in all this? God is in the same place God has always been. ”
A couple of people have asked me “So where is GOD NOW ?” and “What game is your God playing at killing us off like this!” I was amazed to realise they think that God has caused Covid 19! This had never even occurred to me. Anyway I said to both.. God is where He always is and doing what God always does (a bit like your statement) because God just IS..like gravity…God is constant goodness. Then I asked if they run a red light and crash their car, do they blame the road or the road rules..or even the light? I think they got the point. Humanly speaking people caused this by doing a certain thing. so at least this arguemt takes the blame off God I think! HOWEVER, spiritually speaking, we, as Christian Scientists need to not blame anyone because that line of thinking means we are accepting the idea of separation and a battle between 2 powers. It’s difficult to try to explain that to some people, but the car metaphor seems to be acceptable. I like to remember MBE’s statement “Error is neither person, place nor thing” Which pretty much covers CV19 in my mind! It has no intelligence and is not of God so it cannot attach to a person, cannot be CAUSED by a person, does not originate in a place or be “carried or spread by any THING. MIND is the source of all action and God , divine Love would not and could not originate a disease then condemn his creation with it. I am trying to clearly see that NOTHING apart from God has power, is a cause or an effect because God is ALL…and IN ALL.
Thank you DiAnne! I love the car metaphor.
Thank you, Diane for your comments. This statement from page 390 from Science and Health I always find helpful is “It is our ignorance of God, the divine Principle, which produces apparent discord, and the right understanding of Him restores harmony.” Thank you, Evan, for your re-assuring comments.
Praying at every opportunity, with every newscast, knowing that this is a “waking dream” from which each and everyone will awake. More grateful than words can describe for the peace that Truth and Love confer, and for knowing that this is available to all. Love and Peace to all. Shalom
Love this. Lesson today the Kingdom of Heaven is within us.
Thank you Evan. This is exactly what I needed to read for the continuation in steering my thought correctly. I am so grateful for Christian Science and the realization of the importance and seriousness of the deep study. There is not an active church in the area I live and I am alone in my studies as far as immediate location goes. I was not raised in Christian Science so I don’t have the benefit of an early introduction. As a matter of fact, a lot of my time and thinking has been devoted to getting rid of the false claims taught to me early on. So to say I value Spirit View and all I learn here from you and those who take the time to comment is simply an understatement. I continue to be grateful for the Mother Church and their Sunday service, JSH, and all the periodicals. I know longer find myself picking up mindless reading material to look at. The Bible has come alive to me on this journey and no longer intimidates me. At times I am lonely for teachers to be in my presence but it does make me trust in my guidance and know that I am never alone. I thank God…
Lovely comments, thank you. We may think we are alone in our spiritual studies, tho we are never thus. LOVE is always with us.. a better friend we cud not have! ❤
Susan,
Many Christian Science churches are now zooming their Sunday and Wednesday services, such as mine in Southern California. We have people join us from all over the world and welcome you anytime. Here is the link to our website that has more information.https://www.christiansciencenb.org/
Meanwhile, a huge thanks to Evan for these daily declarations that are a shot across the bow to that talking serpent that is trying to grow into dragon proportions right now. It didn’t work in Revelation and it’s not working now. Bless everyone for the sweet generosity and goodness and stalwartness of this community that responds so beautifully and powerfully to Evan’s posts of power. I rarely write in but can’t miss this opportunity to say thank you to Evan and all. We are a community of Christian soldiers awake and alert to defend our world. Blessings to all–
Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord ; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?
1 Kings 19:11-13
I was led to S & H 95:28 “Lulled by stupefying illusions” from there to the end of the chapter pretty much lays out what is going on here.
This description is EXACTLY what is hsoirning now! Thank you for directing me to reread this part of Science and Health. It is a clarion call for us to “aid the ejection if error…‘for it is God which workers in you…’..”
We have the Key to the kingdom in our textbook!!
Thanks to God, to our Dear Master, to Mary Baker Eddy and all His workers,
This is exactly what I needed to read this morning Evan. Thank you! I am so grateful for SpiritView and the steering of my thought. There is no active Christian Science church in the area where I live so I really do rely on reaching out and finding my resources. I do not have the benefit of being raised in Christian Science and have found myself having to spend time erasing the false claims introduced to precious little me early on. I no longer choose mindless reading material to look at and am grateful for JSH and the periodicals. Along the way the Bible has come alive and is no longer intimidating. I do get lonely in my studies and at times long for a teacher in my presence. I will continue to be so very grateful to you Evan and to all who take the time to comment. I understand this to be a very deep study that takes commitment and seriousness. I know I am not alone. I thank God…
Susan, It might be fun/educational/inspiring to call a CS practitioner to chat or even have an “office visit” by phone. I hope you have JSH-Online too. That’s a wonderful resource for learning,
Be
st to you!
Science and Health p.428 6-14
“Man’s privilege at this supreme moment is to
prove the words of our Master: “If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.” To divest thought
of false trusts and material evidence in order that
the facts of being may appear,—this is the great
attainment by means of which we shall sweep
away the false and give place to the true. Thus
we may establish in truth the temple, or body,
“whose builder and maker is God.”
In Ecclesiastes 7:39 it says “- Lo this only have I found that God made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions”’
It does seem to help collective good health for individuals and societies to live upright.. to live free of fear and greed.. to share with one another and hold hands when we cross the street.. to live unselfishly and generously makes for harmony and harmony is the key to a healthy society and to the well being of each of us precious children of God..
Thank you Evan and all for the wonderful comments.. Much to study and ponder.. Blessings to all today.
Thank you Evan. What a wonderful inspired interpretation! 🙂
“THE BOW SHALL BE SEEN IN THE CLOUD”
https://journal.christianscience.com/shared/view/2aduqriparc?s=e
I wonder if the New York Times would print a CS article on this topic
I once offered to join in the church prayer-group of a friend whose young niece was diagnosed with cancer. I said, “But when we pray, let’s not pray to remove something God never made and God never gave her. Let’s know that only the kingdom of heaven is within her, and if we think of the disease at all, let’s treat it the way Jesus did and say ‘you are a lie. There is no truth in you! Get out of her and enter no more into her!’ I said, “When Jesus told the father of the epileptic boy, ‘only believe’ — was he asking the father to believe in epilepsy? Or in the overwhelming love God had for that child and his dad, and the almighty power of God to free him?” She was all excited about this and said it made perfect sense, and she said she would tell her friends to do this. When I saw her two weeks later she was beside herself with joy. The niece was well, no trace of cancer could be found. That lie never has existence anywhere, nor does this illness.
Neither mortal dreamers nor dreams, believers or beliefs can influence reality as Jesus’ healing works proved, showing there is no other creation but God’s, no other power nor presence. The ‘Me’ of the first commandment, as Mary Baker Eddy explains, is Spirit. When we pray to realize that Spirit is everyone’s only identity, only ‘Me’, knowing itself untouched, uninfluenced, filled with spirituality and health, we’ll feel God holding the whole world in Her Love. We’ll fight this claim with Jesus’ words and Christ’s authority, ‘You are a lie! There is no truth in you! You are no part of anyone’s ‘me’ so get out of this world and enter no more into it!” God, Truth, Life, LOVE has ALL POWER. ALL.
Diane really helpful comment, thank you.
What a beautiful demonstration of you being that “me” or Spirit expressed from the 1st commandment when you shared with your friend the Truth about her niece. And she also being that “me” or Spirit expressed by being receptive and obedient to your ideas and following through with them. The result, healing of course. The Truth really is simple, we just need to get ourselves out of its way.
I also especially am grateful for your thoughts following the demonstration portion of your comment, as I woke feeling a little agitated about all that is going on and wishing people would just get with the Christian Science program, ha! But I know that’s just error’s attempt to distract me from my good work in all this and that if that’s where my thought is, then I have some thoughts to correct. Thanks again.
Thanks to Evan and everyone today for sharing so many powerful ideas. Thank you Diane w.a. for sharing the specific ideas on praying for your friend’s niece.Very clear and helpful. It so important to keep our prayerful thoughts on the purity of God’s creation. Acknowledging God as being the only source of life, lifts thought off and out of the material sense of the problem and raises our thought to God’s goodness and our innate purity, well being and wholeness. We have all joined together here to support one another and to lift our communities and world to the awareness of God’s goodness and ever presence–the kingdom of heaven-harmony where we all live, move and have our being.
I could not have anything better than this response, Evan. I have been telling family and friends that God doesn’t cause pandemics, plagues or illnesses. God is pure love. Mrs. Eddy was truly an amazing woman and this holds true even for today. She gave us the following affirmations that I continue to rely on:
When we realize that life is Spirit, never in or of matter, this understanding will expand into self completeness, finding all in God, good, and needing no other consciousness.
As mortals give up the delusion that there is more than one Mind, more than one God, man in God’s likeness will appear, and this likeness will include no material elements.
Creation is ever appearing and expanding and must ever continue to appear and expand from the nature of Its inexhaustible source.
This pandemic will pass soon. I pray for all. Thank you.
I have been gaining much understanding from an address given by Jack E. Hubbell,CSB called Disarming Animal Magnetism given at High Ridge House 1997 Annual Meeting Address. Starting on
page 3 with the second paragraph and including page 4 and finishing on top of page 5 is very helpful. Wonderful thoughts each day on SpiritView. Thank you.
Here is a link.
Search Results
Web results
Disarming Animal Magnetism – High Ridge House
http://www.highridgehouse.org
That did not work. If you seah the title, you will find it. Maybe someone else can get
the link to work.
Great illustration that the constancy of Truth is irrefutable!!!!!
Thank you all for such uplifting thoughts. The dictionary derives the word corona from crown, “to end (something) in a successful and impressive way” and “to put a crown on ( a new king, queen, etc.): to give (someone) [or I would say some Thing]
the power.” It all comes down to What are we going to give our power to? Every time I see Mrs. Eddy’s logo with the cross and the crown (quite fitting with our celebration of Easter) ~ a renewing of thought, it reminds me of Where my (our) Power truly lies… in the Truth of Life over what would appear to be taking power in our world today.
https://www.highridgehouse.org/
This web address includes the “s” at the end of ‘http’
‘s’ represents “Secure” which took my direct to High Ridge House website.
Thank you . I tried that link but no where on that site is this address. Maybe I am doing something wrong.
Right on Evan, Thank you, I like MBE response S&H 119:1-24.
This should be printed in conjunction to that priest’s article in that paper although it would clearly show how many religions do not have a clue what truly brings comfort, healing and peace and would tebuke their limited inspired understanding of God. I wonder what MBE or their Com on pub would do.
“O dreamer, leave thy dream for joyful waking, O captive rise and sing, for thou art free…” Hymnal p 412. Thank you Evan & fellow prayers. I always benefit from your thoughtful contributions.
Where is God in all this? God is in the silence, the stillness the willingness to listen. In these quiet moments is where we find God and where we can recognize that there is nothing lacking; we have it all. We walk forward assured that the messages we are given to stay home and to keep our distance is God saying “look to me, I am here you don’t need to be adraid,” As we are obedient to these directives, we find a peace that truly blesses and hopefully guides us long after this challenge recedes.
Wonderful, clear, powerful message, Evan. And, I thank everyone for beautiful responses. As we accept wholeheartedly that God is ALL…that there is NONE beside Him, we are shutting out the possibility of of fear, doubt, uncertainty, lack…all the etc of mortal mind alias animal magnetism. MBE states, “Let neither fear nor doubt overshadow your clear sense and calm trust, that the recognition of life harmonious-as Life eternally is—can destroy any painful sense of, or belief in, that which Life is not” S&H, page 495:16-20
Thank you, Evan! I am going to share this and give you author’s credit. It should be published in our periodicals! Even, on-line, too!
“God, good, guides, guards and governs!” This is all we need to know….every minute of every day!
“Day by day, the manna fell
Oh to learn this lesson well “
Thank you Evan for today’s manna.
The Nowness of Truth is present each day.
All these comments and thoughts are so helpful during this strange time. They help to push away the dark clouds that seem to be hanging over everyone. Much thanks Evan and everyone.
Following is the link that worked for me for the Hubbell address. It’s really terrific.
https://www.highridgehouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Hubbell.DisarmingAnimalMagnetism.2018.pdf
Thank you so very much, dear Evan, for your help and healing words of divine truth!
It is very helpful. As Evan said, God is not in all this seeming error. That reminds me on the Bible event of Elijah standing there and storm, fire etc.was passing him but God was not in it all. God was in the calm, tender voice. No, God was not in the storm, and fire because that was not real. God is only in the real, He is the reality. So God cannot be in all the error seemingly occuring in these days, because it is not real. God, eternal Good, Love is real imparting only health, because Spirit, God is our Health. Christian Science is so logical and Scientific – thanks to God for it!
Hope I could ad a good comment to today`s wonderful SpiritView and all the interesting and inspired comments. Thank you all! 🙂
Oh yes, with pleasure let’s side with Truth and win the battle ! Thank you Evan!
“Where is God in all this?” Great question and thanks for the answer.
Thanks so very much, Peggy, for the link to Jack Hubbell’s talk which was very profound. I’m going to request a copy of it.
Hi Lori: I just printed a copy from on-line. It worked fine.