Is the Universe, Including Man, Evolved by Atomic Force?

Humankind has ever been faced with the question, "Is the universe, including man, evolved by atomic force?" This momentous question has become definitely acute with the discoveries that are being wrought through research in matter, such as that of the nuclear physicist in atomic energy. Obviously activities in the physical sciences have brought many useful things through research in physics, chemistry, electronics, aeronautics, and other fields. It is not the purpose or mission of Christian Science to tear down or discredit those achievements or those who achieved them. The teachings of Christian Science and its practice in healing the sick and sinning never retreat from the spiritual facts of being; they never surrender man's God-given birthright of freedom and dominion over all things; they never lose sight of the fact that All is infinite Mind, God, and its infinite manifestation, and that man and the universe reflect God. So, after studying and practising Christian Science, one is bound to conclude that its Discoverer and Founder was far in advance of the physical scientists of our day.

According to Webster, the universe is "the totality of existing or created things, including the earth (with all on or in it), hence all creation." To uninspired material sense the universe, including man, seems material, temporal, and finite, while to spiritual sense the universe, including man, is spiritual, eternal, and forever perfect. Science and Health says: "The universe reflects God" (p. 502); "In the universe of Truth, matter is unknown" (p. 503).

In its original sense of unfoldment, the word "evolve" is not unchristian or unscientific because man, finished and eternal, ever presents unfoldment. He emanates from God.

Material evolution theories would have man start from the lowest form of material life and gradually progress from one form of matter to another, namely, from one atom to two atoms, to three atoms, and on and on until the glomeration becomes a mass of matter. Finally, a mortal is developed. All this is summed up by some physicists as the story of man evolved from molecule to monkey and from monkey to man. Surely this could in no case be man made by God in His image and likeness, man to whom He gave dominion, whom He saw and declared to be very good.

One material scientist recently expressed himself thus: "The findings of nuclear physicists sound the death knell of materialism, as an explanation of the universe and as a philosophy of life." Some of our great men and women of science are gradually returning to the manger; they are turning towards the Christ, Truth, which Jesus taught, demonstrated, and exemplified.

So we must return to the humble but powerful teachings of the Bible, namely, that man, your true selfhood, is the exact and complete likeness of God, in which there is not a single element of error, matter, or electricity; that man is not evolved by atomic force, but is made and governed exclusively according to divine law; that he is neither the subjective nor objective state of matter or the carnal mind, but is ever spiritual, perfect, complete, harmonious, joyous, and free as the idea of infinite Mind. So, then, strive to understand and realize that in your real being you are this man, here and now. The Christian Science textbook says (p. 259), "The Christlike understanding of scientific being and divine healing includes a perfect Principle and idea,—perfect God and perfect man,—as the basis of thought and demonstration."