By Donald K. Stewart, Contributor 
The Rev. Dr. Donald Stewart Pastor of the Portmore Lane Covenant Community Church (left) and the Rev. Dr. Elma Lumsden, Minister at the Temple of Light Church of Religious Science (right).
IT IS, important to be aware of, understand and respect other people's convictions, and to allow them the freedom to express their thoughts, philosophies and theologies. This same freedom, I believe, also allows us to read, consider and evaluate their views, if we are to sincerely benefit from their special illumination and divine revelations.
As I read the story of the
Saturday, February 14 edition of Mind&Spirit on Science of the Mind as spoken of by the Rev. Dr. Elma Lumsden, Minister at the Temple of Light Church of Religious Science. I took issue with a number of things she is reported to have said in relation to Science of the Mind.
NO SIN? NO PUNISHMENT?
NO SAVIOUR?
One does not have to be very educated or even spiritually conscious to realise that sin is a very real, destructive entity. To deny the existence of sin is to behave like the proverbial ostrich that buries its head in the sand to convince itself that the world around does not exist. To deny sin, as the New Ager does, is to deny the existence of morality and immorality, hence each person becomes free do whatever is pleasing in his/her own eyes to his/her own content. What a confusion? the seeds of anarchy!
Please note that when Jesus was speaking with Nicodemus (John 3), he wasn't simply telling him to "think anew, think in a new way that leads to happiness, health, wholeness and harmony" as Dr Lumsden so confidently stated.
Jesus made it clear to him; "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. This is the verdict; Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil" (John 3: 17-19).
In the light of this and other portions of Scripture, can anyone truly argue, with a clear conscience, that sin, punishment and the need for a Saviour are all just figments of our unenlightened imagination? Can we really accept that; "We don't preach about sin. Sin is a mistake--We don't teach people about sin and hell and damnation. We don't do that at all. I think it is a mistake to teach those things". If sin is not real, will someone from Science of Mind please explain why 1 John 1:8-2:2 was
written?
GOD AND RELIGION
In the interview, it was also stated; "We believe in the teachings of Jesus Christ. As a matter of fact, the Science of Mind text is based on the teachings of Jesus Christ". How can persons dare to say that they accept the teachings of Jesus Christ while simultaneously denying the purpose for, and the reality of, his blood-bought salvation? Something just does not make sense here. What do you think?
It is true that the God who created and sustains the universe is bigger than any one religious system, but it certainly is incorrect to believe that "God embraces all religions", as Science of Mind teaches. How can a sensible God equally affirm religions that contradict each other even at the fundamental levels?
And what can be said about Satanism? This, too, is a legitimate religion with its leaders, creeds, rituals and thousands of followers. I wonder if Science of Mind would conveniently make an exception here, and on what basis? Will they say that Satanism does not exist, since (as far as they are concerned), neither Satan nor evil exists? How does this match up with the reality that you know?
DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSED
It is my hope that we should realise, by now, that all roads do not lead to the same spiritual destination. Why, if that were the case, should the wise writer of the Proverbs bother to tell us twice, that: "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death" (Prov. 14: 12, 16: 25)? Peter, in speaking about Jesus Christ, reminded us that; "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). Paul spelt this out in his first letter to Timothy; "there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men" (1 Tim. 2: 5-6).
John echoed these same sentiments as he addressed the scattered church. "He (Jesus Christ, the Righteous One) is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world" (! John 2: 2). Jesus, himself responded emphatically; " I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me" (John 14:6). What do we make of these declarations, if, like the New Agers, we believe that there are many ways to the same God?
It appears next to impossible for us to accept the teachings of the Bible, on the one hand, and the principles of the New Age Movement, on the other hand, since they are diametrically opposed to each other: Heaven and
no hell.
Science of Mind teaches that neither heaven nor hell exists in reality and that these are merely "states of mind". Death, we are told, is simply a transition, when the spirit "walks out", "moves along" and "goes to wherever". It is obvious that Dr. Lumsden is here describing the Hindu concept of Reincarnation, based on the so-called Law of Karma.
This looks like a good place to ask some logical questions. Who or what controls the Law of Karma--or determines where each person's spirit (or soul) will travel? How does that spirit (or soul) know when to return to the material world and with what kind of body? When do these cycles come to an end--and what purpose would have been ultimately achieved? I can guarantee you that any attempt to respond to these questions would be an act in futility, destined to generate further confusion.
The Bible (which Science of Mind adherents claim to believe) repeatedly speaks of heaven and hell as definite realities and that each human being must consciously face a judgement after death (Heb.9: 27), when an account will be given to Almighty God (Rom. 14: 10, 1 Cor. 3: 12-15, 2 Cor. 5: 10-11, Rev. 20). There are clearly no continuous cycles of births, deaths and rebirths--no evidence for believing in reincarnation--no Law of Karma. Let us not be deceived into thinking that we, like the proverbial cat, have many lives with which to play. Some risks are just not worth taking. Why not ask the rich man in Luke 16: 19-31 for his well-informed perspective on this subject? Make certain that, in the long run, the Truth you find in life-- will truly set
you free.
- Rev. Dr. Donald K. Stewart is Pastor of the Portmore Lane Covenant Community Church.
He may be reached at
pccc@cybervale.com
