These readings are from the Bible (KJV) and from the textbook of Christian Science, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy and are on the topic of God as intelligence.
.
God has endowed man with inalienable rights, among which are self-government, reason, and conscience. Man is properly self-governed only when he is guided rightly and governed by his Maker, divine Truth and Love.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy p106)
Today, more than any other time, we have access to what feels like an infinite stream of information. YouTube videos are available to give us instructions on everything from tying our shoelaces to building a house. Opinions are proffered like facts. Influencers share their ‘wisdom’ on every aspect of life. Digital platforms with ideological agendas have the power to shape individual and public opinion. AI-generated content looks real, but isn’t, and misinformation can spread more easily than truth. Is there a reliable way to find truth, to discern which ideas have integrity and value and which don’t deserve our attention?
The statement: ‘The time for thinkers has come’ is from the opening page of the textbook of Christian Science, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures. It was written 150 years ago by Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of Christian Science. Even back then Eddy recognised the need for us to show wisdom, to be discerning, to sift fact from fiction and opinion.
Christian Science provides an invaluable guide in this respect. It teaches that the term God means the rules that make life work harmoniously. It teaches that God is Love. If ideas and actions come from a place of kindness, respect, unselfishness, forgiveness then they are based in Love and deserve our attention and support because these are the qualities that make life worthwhile.
Christian Science also teaches that God is Principle. If ideas and actions promote lawfulness, justice, fairness, discipline, steadfastness, trustworthiness, diligence, efficiency, stability in ourselves and society, then these are ideas with integrity.
When we recognise God as infinite Mind then ideas and actions that represent the qualities of divine Mind have value. Intelligence, wisdom, understanding, perception, alertness, insight, innovation, curiosity, inventiveness are the qualities that add value to ourselves and our communities.
God is also known as Spirit. Are new ideas directing us towards consumerism and materiality or are they lifting thought towards more enlightened thinking? Do they give a sense of peace and joy?
Knowing God in these ways not only makes God relevant to everyday life but also gives us the ability to be critical thinkers, to sift through the daily avalanche of information, to recognise which ideas have integrity and deserve our attention, and which do not. This is how we become the thinkers that the world has need of.
This article was originally published in the January 22, 2026 issue of the Canberra Weekly. It was written by a member of the Christian Science community in Canberra.
.
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
(The Bible – I Tim 2: 1, 2)
These readings from the Bible and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy are on the topic of the omnipotence of God, good, and the nothingness of evil.
.
In the Saxon and twenty other tongues good is the term for God. The Scriptures declare all that He made to be good, like Himself, — good in Principle and in idea. Therefore the spiritual universe is good, and reflects God as He is.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy p286:16)
.
The divine Mind maintains all identities, from a blade of grass to a star, as distinct and eternal.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy p70: 12)
A Sentinel Watch interview with David Brown and Mark Sappenfield, Editor of the Christian Science Monitor.
Click here to listen.
At the moment, it would seem that the world is politically quite polarised. In the media more attention is paid to the things that divide us than to the things that unit us. Sentiments are felt strongly resulting in divisions even within families. With US election fresh in thought and the expectation of an election in Australia early this year, this discussion is very timely. David and Mark share ideas on how we as individuals can support a genuine sense of unity and peace.
A Sentinel Watch interview with David Brown and Mark Sappenfield, Editor of the Christian Science Monitor.
Click here to listen.
At the moment, it would seem that the world is politically quite polarised. In the media more attention is paid to the things that divide us than to the things that unit us. Sentiments are felt strongly resulting in divisions even within families. With US election fresh in thought and the expectation of an election in Australia early this year, this discussion is very timely. David and Mark share ideas on how we as individuals can support a genuine sense of unity and peace.
by Judith Hedrick – published in the Christian Science Sentinel, October 30, 2024
Elections are times of choice. Yes, whenever an election is held, we decide on different issues and between political parties and their candidates. But we also make a deeper choice about what we believe is the power which governs.
What is the ultimate power governing me, my family and friends, my country, and even the world? Is it human personalities or is it God? Is it mortal mind or the divine Mind? Where do I put my faith?
Any polarization or conflict that arises in elections is the result of the belief that power belongs to people, who have both good and evil qualities, instead of to God. We get riled up because we are convinced that there are candidates whose political positions and activities will harm us. If personalities are able to rule, we do have reason to fear.
The Bible points us in a different direction, though: “Power belongeth unto God” (Psalms 62:11). Accepting that God, good, is all-powerful and governing human existence frees us from fear and distress. The Bible also says, “I am the Lord, and there is none else” (Isaiah 45:6). This shows us that the enemy is not a person. It is the false belief that there is a power, mind, or presence other than God. Click here to continue reading.
A Sentinel Watch interview with Deborah Huebsch.
.
Click here to listen.
Deborah shares how being a Christian Science practitioner has helped her understand God more clearly: as the only power—the power of good—in our lives.
Wednesday Testimony Meeting Readings.
This recording is of the readings on the topic: Laws That Bring Peace.
“Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” (Exodus xx. 3.) …
One infinite God, good, unifies men and nations; constitutes the brotherhood of man; ends wars; fulfils the Scripture, “Love thy neighbor as thyself;” annihilates pagan and Christian idolatry, — whatever is wrong in social, civil, criminal, political, and religious codes; equalizes the sexes; annuls the curse on man, and leaves nothing that can sin, suffer, be punished or destroyed.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy p340:15)
Christian Science Canberra 