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The Science of Government
The following is an edited excerpt from Christian Government–Its Scientific Evolution (Max Kappeler)
THE LAW OF GOD
“Law constitutes government” (Mary Baker Eddy)
Law in Christian Science is quite distinct from laws adopted for the regulation of civil, political, social, economic and religious affairs—distinct from their nature and essence, as well as from their origin and motivation. Consequently, it is important to get a correct understanding of the basis and origin of fundamental law and its inherent nature.
Mary Baker Eddy, who discovered the Science of all sciences, has established the fact that law is not created by a single man, ruler, king, or despot, nor by a majority of people; but is eternally vested in God, divine Principle, alone.
God is the lawmaker and lawgiver; He is law to Himself.
The lawgiver is God, divine Mind, the omnipotent, infinite All. Because God is Spirit, God’s laws are purely spiritual. Because God is Soul, God’s laws are unchangeable. Because God is Principle, God’s laws demonstrate themselves. God’s laws need no help from persons in order to be demonstrated. Therefore, God’s laws are free from human beliefs and prejudices, and free from all societies, ‘isms’ and ‘ologies.’ Nowhere in her writings does Mary Baker Eddy indicate that man could create real laws, or enforce and develop them. Besides God there is no true lawmaker, and the realization of this truth establishes one universal law, bringing freedom, harmony, perfection, and eternity—never causing division, friction, discord and decay.
God’s laws apply to all equally and are forever universal. Any attempt to enforce other laws and statutes than the spiritual laws of God must sooner or later lead to discord and so hinder progress.
“Human law is right only as it patterns the divine” (My. 283: 26).
THE GOVERNMENT OF GOD
Government is the execution of law.
The world of today clamors for a solution to the question: What constitutes true government?
The differing forms of government may be classified according to the nature of the laws on which they are based. Anarchy implies an absence of law. Autocracy may be defined as absolute authority exercised by one person, or by a small group of persons. Democracy is described as sovereign power exercised directly or indirectly by the majority of the people. Theocracy is government under the immediate direction of the laws of God.
When law is vested in God, divine Principle, then God, not man, governs.
In God’s government there is no ruling of man over man as in an autocracy, or even in a democracy, for all men owe allegiance to God alone. Divine Science reveals that God, the infinite All-in-all, is not only the universal legislator, but also the sole executive power, the supreme ruler governing man in perfect harmony.
St. Paul spoke of “one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all” (Eph. 4:6). As there is but one lawgiver, the divine Mind, and but one governor, the divine Principle; man and the universe are governed intelligently and harmoniously. All action, volition, functions, relations, plans—all that is real and true from the infinitesimal to infinity—are embraced in God’s government.
Perfect government will not become apparent until Christ, God’s ideal, is understood spiritually and scientifically.
Of this Christ it is written, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder” (Isa. 9:6). Mary Baker Eddy prophesied: “Christ, God’s idea, will eventually rule all nations and peoples—imperatively, absolutely, finally—with divine Science” (S&H 565:16-18).
That the understanding of true government must be based on Science becomes even more certain as we apprehend the close relation forever existing between Science and government. Mrs. Eddy writes: “The term Science, properly understood, refers only to the laws of God and to His government of the universe, inclusive of man” (S&H 128:4-6).
THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNIVERSE
It is well to remember, therefore, that the government of the universe, including man, can be based neither on material nor on human laws, also that any interference with God’s law is inadmissible. Consequently, human opinions, concepts, ways and means must be eliminated. The physical and moral (transitional) must give place to the spiritual. The spiritual must be attained through a right apprehension of God’s nature as Mind, Spirit, Soul, Principle, Life, Truth, and Love, operating as Word, Christ, Christianity, and Science, on the levels of Science itself, divine Science, absolute Christian Science, and Christian Science.