Discovering this particular world-view, yet it parallels much of my spiritual philosophy:
Thoughts? Agree, disagree...why or why not?
I've just touched upon this. In research....Divine Science is a philosophy, a science and a religion: it covers the entire field of life, universal and individual. It deals with fundamental principles and the laws by which they can be demonstrated in one’s life, in the life of every human being when he applies them faithfully. Through the study and application of Divine Science we can attain an ever higher and higher realization of life eternal, the gift of God to us, his children.
As a philosophy, Divine Science satisfies my intellect. It is reasonable. It satisfies my needs as an individual by giving me a working basis for daily living through which I may realize the truth that its philosophy teaches.
As a science, Divine Science shows us the value of systematizing our knowledge of God. System is necessary in all attainment, why not in our study of the One Universal Presence? Knowledge is of much more value to us if it is in usable form.
As a religion, Divine Science satisfies my heart: it brings me in touch with life in an understanding way. It regards and interprets man and the facts and forms of life in a logical way from the standpoint of the universal. Omnipresence is its basic principle, the basis of all its teachings. It is important in the life of every one that he accept the omnipresence of God definitely, not merely intellectually, but as a foundation principle by which to live. If this were done by all human beings there would develop in us the consciousness of unity (love), which would transform the world. There could be no more quarrels: gossip would cease: criticism, which stirs up so much inharmony, would fall away: wars would be no more: life on this beloved planet would be what it should be, harmonious throughout, abounding in good at every point. We should then realize the abundant life, which Jesus said he wished to reveal to the world. We should be living in a very haven of beauty and wonder and joy, for through Divine Science one gains a new realization of the universe and of all life.
The moment one postulates the Omnipresence of God as a principle to live by, to be demonstrated, life comes to have a new meaning to him, a rich and blessed meaning. Divine Science gives the fullest and most consistent interpretation of Omnipresence. It points its students to this truth as the basis of their thinking and living. They are not trammeled by personal leadership. Never have I known a religion or a philosophy that dealt with Omnipresence so earnestly and so deeply as a working hypothesis, a sure basis for right thinking and true living.
Divine Science teaches us to think in accord with this fundamental Principle and to live in accord with it. With the thought of God everywhere present as our guide at all times, we are not in need of personal leaders or outside helps. The practice of this foundation truth in thinking and in living brings its own individual revelation of truth. This proves to us that God is open to every earnest seeker. While leaders and others may be helpful, we should not say that anything is true because someone says it is the truth. Divine Science believes in the Voice of God in the soul of man as the only certain guide.
Divine Science is progressive. Its teachings never point to finality in outer expression. It never says to us, “Here is the end.” As a religion it teaches and expects continuous revelation, as Jesus expected it. Jesus did not tell us that we could never know aught except what he had given us. Jesus told his disciples that the Spirit would lead them into all truth and that men would do greater works in the future than he had done, if they would be true spiritually. Jesus and Paul both taught that we work out our own salvation through seeking and living the highest spiritual truth. By bringing the truth we know into our daily living, we come to perceive and understand still greater truth.
The whole of truth is always here, open to us: however, it is necessary that we find it for ourselves. Each of us, in order to come into an understanding knowledge, must have his own revelation of the truth of God. This throws the responsibility of the spiritual unfoldment of the individual upon the individual himself. It shows us that no one can take another and put him in the Kingdom of God but the realization of the glories of this kingdom depends upon each of us. The Spirit of Truth leads us into all truth, for the Spirit is open and ready to lead.
Divine Science is inclusive. It endeavors to understand and interpret, not to deny. The only things that this teaching denies are those that are unlike God – self centeredness, impurity, separation and lack, with their dire results, sin, sickness, death. It accepts God in fullness and sees his universe as a living organism to be understood and trusted by the one who is open to truth and free to understand.
Divine Science teaches that man is in God, of God and like God. Omnipresence, its supreme affirmation, shows that God includes man; “In him we live, move and have our being,” says Paul. God not only includes man but “He hath given us of his spirit;” God is within man. Paul speaks of this divinity within man as the Christ of us; “Christ in you your hope of glory,” “Ye have the mind of Christ.” We believe that God includes the body of man also. Therefore we do not deny the body or the visible universe, instead we glorify them; therefore we believe in healing which means that man comes into the realization of his rightful body, his Divine Body, his God-given Form. Those who understand the Presence and who feel that they are children of this One, the living Reality, know that healing means.
We realize that God is not a respecter of persons; God does not select certain ones for his special blessings. God is universal life, health, harmony, and these belong to each of us. We are given the right of choice, to accept or reject these gifts. Each of us may choose health and be healed, if he does his part.
Thoughts? Agree, disagree...why or why not?
