BIBLE CHARACTERS MENTIONED IN THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE LESSON-SERMON* April 3, 2005 for CSDirectory.com

Compiled by Lt Gen C. Norman Wood, USAF (Ret), Burke, VA, 703-898-8818, [email protected]

SUBJECT: Unreality

SECTION II: Haman’s Revengeful Design Against the Jews (Esther 3: 2-9)

“This chapter begins with the sudden and unexplained promotion of Haman, who has not been mentioned before.” (Peake’s Commentary)

Haman [H_’m_n] (“magnificent”)

TIME LINE: @480 BCE

Hammedathe Haman

Haman is the name of the vizier (i.e., the prime minister) of the Persian king Ahasuerus ( HYPERLINK "http://bible1.crosswalk.com/OnlineStudyBible/bible.cgi?passage=es+3:1" Esther 3:1). He is called an "Agagite," which seems to denote that he was descended from the royal family of the Amalekites, the bitterest enemies of the Jews, as Agag was one of the titles of the Amalekite kings. He or his parents were brought to Persia as captives taken in war. He was hanged on the gallows which he had erected for Mordecai the Jew ( HYPERLINK "http://bible1.crosswalk.com/OnlineStudyBible/bible.cgi?passage=es+7:10" Esther 7:10).

Eddy, Rev. Mary Baker (Discover and Founder), “Mind Healing History,” Christian Science Journal (June 1887), p. 109.

--In a peppery pamphlet, Mr. Dresser delivers a stupendous eulogy over the late P. P. Quimby, as his healer, and exaggerates and fabricates in Quimby's behalf; but all that is kind, and I wish it was honest. --In his pamphlet Dresser states that Quimby "discovered the science of life," — God. • Must not the science of life be of necessity eternal? ---Later, Mr. Dresser owns that Quimby had been a mesmerist. --Who is the Haman, to whom Mr. Dresser alludes? • Is it not he who rests not, but would trouble the peace of the dead, so long as a Mordecai is at the gate, — even though this Mordecai had given Haman his only place and power as a so-called healer? --“The Lord knoweth the way of the righteous; but the way of the ungodly shall perish.”

Mordecai [Môr’d_ k_] (“chief god of Babylon”) TIME LINE: 4th century BCE

Benjamin ⇓ Jair Mordecia Brother/Sister? Esther (cousin)

Mordecai was the son of Jair, of the tribe of Benjamin. It has been alleged that he was carried into captivity with Jeconiah, and hence that he must have been at least one hundred and twenty-nine years old in the twelfth year of Ahasuerus (Xerxes). But the words of Esther do not necessarily lead to this conclusion. It was probably Kish of whom it is said (ver. 6) that he "had been carried away with the captivity."

He resided at Susa, the metropolis of Persia. He adopted his cousin Hadassah (Esther), an orphan child, whom he tenderly brought up as his own daughter. When she was brought into the king's harem and made queen in the room of the deposed queen Vashti, he was promoted to some office in the court of Ahasuerus, and was one of those who "sat in the king's gate" ( HYPERLINK "http://bible1.crosswalk.com/OnlineStudyBible/bible.cgi?passage=es+2:21" Esther 2:21). While holding this office, he discovered a plot of the eunuchs to put the king to death, which, by his vigilance, was defeated. His services to the king in this matter were duly recorded in the royal chronicles.

Haman the Agagite had been raised to the highest position at court. Mordecai refused to bow down before him; and Haman, being stung to the quick by the conduct of Mordecai, resolved to accomplish his death in a wholesale destruction of the Jewish exiles throughout the Persian empire ( HYPERLINK "http://bible1.crosswalk.com/OnlineStudyBible/bible.cgi?passage=es+3:8-15" Esther 3:8-15). Tidings of this cruel scheme soon reached the ears of Mordecai, who communicated with Queen Esther regarding it, and by her wise and bold intervention the scheme was frustrated. The Jews were delivered from destruction, Mordecai was raised to a high rank, and Haman was executed on the gallows he had by anticipation erected for Mordecai. In memory of the signal deliverance thus wrought for them, the Jews to this day celebrate the feast ( HYPERLINK "http://bible1.crosswalk.com/OnlineStudyBible/bible.cgi?passage=es+9:26-32" 9:26-32) of Purim.

“Prayer and Fasting,” EDITORIAL, Christian Science Sentinel (5 April 1900), p. 500.

--Abstention from eating meats, and from the usual social obligations and festivities, are among the acts of fasting or self-denial --A deep and earnest study of the chapters on "Prayer" and the "Atonement and Eucharist" will enable the enquirer to comprehend the true office and significance of prayer and fasting. --The Christian Science conception is that the mere abstaining from food is not true fasting. • They believe in eating a temperate quantity of healthful food every day of the year. ---Get the mind in the right condition of abstemiousness and there will be no difficulty with the body. • Pray without ceasing, live in the atmosphere of true prayer, and the fasting will take care of itself. Ahasuerus/Xerxes/Artaxexes [Ah has you eh’rus] (“Per. “the chief of rulers”)

TIME LINE: 500-465 BCE

Darius Hystaspis (father) Ahasuerus = Vashti Artaxerxes Longimnus (son) = Esther

Ahasuerus was son of Darius Hystaspes, the Persian king named in the Book of Esther. He ruled over the kingdoms of Persia, Media, and Babylonia, "from India to Ethiopia." The picture of Ahasuerus presented in the Book of Ester—the vastness of his empire, his riches, his sensuality and feasting, and his cruelty and lack of foresight—is consistent with the description of Xerxes provided by the Greek historian Herodotus. Xerxes succeeded his father Darius (485 BCE). In some versions of the Book of Esther the name Artaxerxes occurs for Ahasuerus. He reigned for twenty-one years (486-465 BCE). Vashti was his first queen. He invaded Greece with an army, it is said, of more than 2,000,000 soldiers, only 5,000 of whom returned with him. Leonidas, with his famous 300, arrested his progress at the Pass of Thermopylae, and then he was defeated disastrously by Themistocles at Salamis. It was after his return from this invasion that Esther was chosen as his queen.

“Life’s Heroes,” POEM, Christian Science Journal (November 1885), p. 149.

SPEAK, Victory! Who are Life's heroes? Unroll thy long annals, and say, — Are they those whom the world called the victors, Who won the success of a day?

"The martyrs, or hero? The Spartans Who fell at Thermopylae's tryst, Or the Persians and Xerxes? His judges, or Socrates? Pilate, or Christ?"

“March of Mind,” POEM, Christian Science Journal (December 1886), p. 234.

WITH one high hope which ever shines Before you as a star, One prayer of faith, one fount of strength, A glorious few ye are!

Ye dare not fear, ye cannot fall, Your destiny ye bind To that sublime, elemental law That rules the march of Mind.

'Tis said, that Persia's baffled King, In mad, tyrannic pride, Cast fetters on the Hellespont, To curb its swelling tide. The scorn of each succeeding age On Xerxes' head is hurled, And o'er that foolish deed hath pealed Th' long laughter of a world….

Mordecai’s Appeal to Esther to Save Her Countrymen; The Execution of Haman; and the Jews Are Saved (Esther 4: 3,4,15,16; 7: 3-6; 8:2,15,16))

Esther

TIME LINE: @479 B.C.

Benjamin Kish Shimei Jair Mordecai Abihail Hadas’sah (Esther) ⇔ Ahasuerus

Esther is the queen of Ahasuerus, and heroine of the book that bears her name. She was a Jewess named Hadas'sah (the myrtle), but when she entered the royal harem she received the name by which she henceforth became known--Esther. It is a Syro-Arabian modification of the Persian word satarah, which means a star. She was the daughter of Abihail, a Benjamite. Her family did not avail themselves of the permission granted by Cyrus to the exiles to return to Jerusalem; and she resided with her cousin Mordecai, who held some office in the household of the Persian king at Shushan in the palace." Ahasuerus having divorced Vashti, chose Esther to be his wife. Soon after this he gave Haman the Agagite, his prime minister, power and authority to kill and extirpate all the Jews throughout the Persian empire. By the interposition of Esther this terrible catastrophe was averted. Haman was hanged on the gallows he had intended for Mordecai; and the Jews established an annual feast, the feast of Purim, in memory of their wonderful deliverance. This took place about fifty-two years after the Return, the year of the great battles of Plataea and Mycale in 479 B.C. Esther appears in the Bible as a "woman of deep piety, faith, courage, patriotism, and caution, combined with resolution; a dutiful daughter to her adopted father, docile and obedient to his counsels, and anxious to share the king's favour with him for the good of the Jewish people. There must have been a singular grace and charm in her aspect and manners, since 'she obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her.’ That she was raised up as an instrument in the hand of God to avert the destruction of the Jewish people, and to afford them protection and forward their wealth and peace in their captivity, is also manifest from the Scripture account."

King, Helen M., “The Book of Esther,” Christian Science Journal (July 1919), p. 194.

--Simply as a story, the book of Esther is fascinating. • To the casual reader it is worthwhile from the peculiarly interesting way in which the character is delineated; but to the metaphysician the book is full of food for thought, so much more being implied than the mere words convey. ---Although God is not named in the book, yet the workings of Principle are most plainly seen; for everything that error planned to do through its willing channels—Haman and his followers—was annulled by the “words of peace and truth” spoken by Mordecai and Esther, whose lives were squared by the plumb line of Principle. • Its characters represent three types of humanity such as we have to deal with to-day. [Ahasuerus, Mordecai, and Haman] ---In the first chapter we are introduced to Ahasuerus, the king, a man easily influenced for good or evil.

Leishman, Thomas L., “Esther the Queen,” Christian Science Journal (October 1943), p. 600.

--Among the heroines of Hebrew history, one who endeared herself to her compatriots because of her quiet courage and steadfastness was Hadassah, who is more widely known under her Persian name of Esther. --After the passing of her parents, Esther was adopted by her first cousin, Mordecai, and lived in his house in the vicinity of the royal palace of Shushan. • The maid was described as being “fair and beautiful,” and when Queen Vashti was dismissed because of her failure to accede to a demand that Ahasuerus, king of Persia, had made, this ruler sent for Esther to be his consort, not realizing that she was a member of another nation, for Mordecai, with what proved to be commendable foresight, had warned her not to reveal her background to her royal suitor.

SECTION IV: The Leper Cleansed (Matt 8: 2,3)

“a leper”

TIME LINE: The Year of Popularity (Jesus’ 2nd year of ministry) 28 CE in the spring in Galilee.

PARALLEL GOSPELS: Mark 1: 40-45; Luke 5: 12-15

“The story of the healing of a leper, as all the other accounts taken over from Mark, is shortened in Matthew (not so in Luke), reduced to its essentials, and stripped both of the plasticity of story-telling and of the terms which describe Jesus’ emotions in strong language.” (Peake’s Commentary)

Leprosy has always been, and is still, one of the most intractable diseases. Under the Mosaic law lepers were regarded as unclean and excluded entirely from human society. The Old Testament laws made provision for the ceremonial cleansing of a leper who had been healed, although there is no report of anyone’s having been healed and then having followed through the prescribed ritual. The healing of a Samaritan, and the stress laid upon his greater gratitude, is in keeping with the character of this Gentile Gospel. The caravans of Galilee took either the Samaritan route or the Peræan. Jesus follows neither, but travels along the boundary between Samaria and Galilee. He directed his steps from W. to E. towards the Jordan, which he must cross to enter Peræa.

No natural explanation of this miracle is possible. The story of Jesus cleansing “a leper”—the disease is probably not what we know as leprosy but may be any one of several skin diseases—echoes both Num 12 (Moses heals Miriam) and II Kings 5:1-14 (Elisha heals Nathan). “Considered as a parable this miracle represents the cleansing of the human race by the Redeemer from the leprosy of sin.” (Dummelow) McCloud, Earl, “The Leper Cleansed,” POEM, Christian Science Sentinel (19 August 1922), p. 915.

He stands, a lonely figure, on the plain Across which winds the Galilean road; His eager gaze upon the throng which comes, With eyes for none save him who leads.

The multitude draws near, the weary watcher stirs, The coarse robe drops away, his face reveals. “A leper!” mutter some; all stop in dread Save one, who heeding not the cry, “Unclean!” And falt’ring not, comes to the watcher’s side. No trace of fear, no shrinking air, is there To mar the loving look on his calm face….

He stands, no longer lonely, on the plain Across which winds the Galilean road; No longer outcast,--healed and held by Love, Beholding man in God’s own likeness—free.

“You are clean,” Sentinel (4 January 1988), p. 21. [Reprinted from The Christian Science Monitor]

--In the Gospel of Mark, a pitiful man diseased with the scourge called leprosy meekly implored Christ Jesus to heal him. • “If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean,” he said. --The Master was deeply moved by the man’s request. • Maybe he was touched by his humility. ---In defiance of the priestly code that prohibited anyone from even touching a leper, Jesus rested his hand on the man as a father might to reassure a child and gently said, “I will; be thou clean.” • And the man was immediately healed. ---His joy must have been unutterable. --Genuine spiritual healing is occurring today as in the Master’s day. • It is based on a growing understanding of God, of the divine Principle that Jesus practiced. --receptivity to the spiritual truth of God and man is something we can cultivate today.

SECTION V: The Healing of Tabitha (Acts 9: 36-42)

“[v.] 36. ’Disciple’ in the feminine form of the Greek occurs only here. ‘Tabitha’ (Aram.) and ‘Dorcas’ (Gr.) mean ‘Gazelle’.” (Peake’s Commentary)

Tabitha [Tab’ih thuh Gr. Dorcas] (“gazelle”)

TIME LINE: @50 CE

“The fledgling community at the port of Joppa (Jaffa) comes across with a little more detail: it includes both men and women, and Luke uses the unusual term math_tria for a woman disciple (outside the church women would not often be characterized as students).” (Oxford Bible Commentary) Dorcas was a Christian woman from Joppa known for befriending and helping the poor, and for her generosity, charity, and “good works.” Tabitha was her Aramaic name. When she became sick and died at Lydda, her body was laid out in an upper room, and friends sent for the apostle Peter. He came and after prayer, bade her arise, and restored her to life.

The Bible tells us little about her background, but it is possible that she was a woman of some wealth, or at least had connections with the wealthy. Dorcas may well have been one of the early converts of Philip the evangelist, who established a Christian church at Joppa.

“Letter And Address Of Dr. Hutchins,” Christian Science Journal (July 1893), p. 165.

--Mental healing may be defined as a relief from physical ailments by the application of metaphysical law. • This law applies to all diseases and, so far as can be learned, with equal efficiency. --Mind healing seems to have been first practised by Jesus Christ. • The apostles of Jesus were enabled to heal diseases by mental influences induced by prayer. --Sacred history teaches us that the results of Christ's work were always perfect, and save in one instance, instantaneous, and that of the apostles also were distinguished by the same thoroughness and rapidity. --Marvelous power was also delegated to the apostles. • Tabitha lay dead, Peter, after prayer, said, Tabitha arise, and "he presented her alive."

MacBride, Estella Mayer, “Dorcas of Joppa,” POEM, Christian Science Sentinel (23 May 1970), p. 889.

What were her thoughts when opening her eyes She found herself, not where she had lain ill, Circled by loyal friends, but in that still Small upper room of hers? With what surprise She must have heard the words “Tabitha, arise” In Peter’s vibrant voice! Giving her hand In quick obedience to that firm command, She rose alive and well. Perhaps old ties Of love and service once again became Her greatest joy. And if they brought her loom, A half-sewn garment, an unfinished cloak, Surely she saw what she must do; awoke— Through Peter’s work—to greater love; her room, Her thoughts, her life, transformed by Truth’s clear flame.

Peter [P_’t_r] (“rock”)

TIME LINE: - 65 CE

Jonah [Jonas/John] (father) Simon Peter [Cephas/Petros] = Unknown (Gospels refer to mother-in-law) Andrew

The original name of this disciple was Simon. According to the Gospels, Jesus gave him the name Peter, the Greek translation of an Aramaic word “Cepha(s)” meaning “stone, rock.” Simon Peter was the most prominent of Jesus’ twelve apostles. The Bible gives a more complete picture of Peter than any other disciple, except Paul. He is often considered to be a big, blundering fisherman and is attractive for his constant mistakes and forgiveness, his boisterous and impetuous enthusiasm, and for his good intentions and self-confidence that so soon seemed to disappear. He became one of Jesus’ closest friends and was the first to recognize Jesus as the Messiah.

He was a native of Bethsaida (modern Golan Heights of Syria), and his family probably lived at Capernaum [on Lake Galilee]. They were fishermen; Peter was even referred to as a master fisherman. Living in the district of Galilee [modern northern Israel] surrounded by Gentiles, Peter may have spoken colloquial Greek, but his native language would be Aramaic and his Galilean accent was quite obvious in Jerusalem at the trial of Jesus. Both Peter and his brother Andrew were followers of John the Baptist before knowing Jesus. Peter was married, because the Gospels mention that Jesus healed his mother-in-law. Peter’s house at Capernaum became the headquarters of Jesus’ lakeside ministry, and Peter’s boat was always at his disposal.

“Peter’s ardor, earnestness, courage, vigor, and impetuosity of disposition marked him from the first as the leader of the disciples of Jesus” (Westminster Dictionary). Peter is the first named in every list of the twelve Apostles, and was apparently the strongest individual in the group. With James and John, Peter formed an inner circle of three, who alone were allowed to accompany Jesus into the house for the raising of Jairus’ daughter, to witness the transfiguration, and to share the agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. All three Synoptics credit Peter with a speaking role at Jesus’ transfiguration (Mark 8:29; Matt 16:16; Luke 5:10). He was always a man of action, but from his calling by Jesus to his denial of Jesus he was a man of impulse and aggressive energy, of childlike simplicity and daring, alternating with a weak and cowardly instability. It was not surprising that he was the first ready to walk to Jesus on the water. He is particularly remembered for his three-fold denial of Jesus, his repentance, and his three-fold commission by Jesus to “feed my sheep.” He was the first to witness Jesus’ resurrection—to see the risen Lord—and to recognize him as the Messiah.

In John 21 we have the account of a full re-instatement into the place of an apostle. From this time he became what his name signified, a rock—and his boldness in the face of persecution formed a sharp contrast with his previous timidity.

After Jesus’ ascension, at which he “sent out” his apostles into the world, Peter at once assumed the leadership of the apostles. He suggested the choice of a replacement for Judas. The earliest information about the early church comes from the Book of Acts. Part of the rhetorical structure of the Acts of the Apostles is the portrayal of both Peter and Paul as imitators of Jesus. The first 11 chapters of Acts are built around the activity of the Apostle Peter. He was the first of the apostles to perform a miracle in the name of Jesus—healing the cripple at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple. He conducted the defense of John and himself before the Sanhedrin, and pronounced the condemnation of Ananias and Sapphira.

It was Peter who healed Aeneas, the paralytic at Lydda [modern Lod], and he raised to life Dorcas, the woman of many good works in Joppa [modern Jaffe, close to Tel Aviv]. He proclaimed salvation to the churches and preached the gospel to the Gentiles. We know little of Peter’s work outside Palestine, but he continued the healing ministry of Jesus throughout the Middle East.

After remaining for some time at Caesarea, he returned to Jerusalem, where he defended his conduct with reference to the Gentiles. Next we hear of his being cast into prison by Herod Agrippa; but in the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison gates, and he went forth and found refuge in the house of Mary.

Although there is no evidence directly linked to the event, it is highly probable that Peter was martyred in Rome @ 65 A.D., when Nero made the Christians the scapegoats for the burning of Rome, which he had himself initiated. According to early Christian tradition, Peter, as an old man, suffered martyrdom by crucifixion head downwards.

Many believe that “Mark wrote his Gospel under the teaching of Peter, or that he embodied in that Gospel the substance of our apostle’s oral instruction.” (Peloubet’s Bible Dictionary) Authentic history adds but little to our knowledge of Peter’s life beyond what we glean from the New Testament. “The only written documents which Peter has left are the First Epistle—about which no doubt has ever been entertained in the Church—and the Second, which has been the subject of earnest controversy.” (Ibid)

Leishman, Thomas L., “Some Women of the New Testament,” Christian Science Journal (May 1944), p. 290.

--During the Master’s ministry, Peter had been one of the three apostles privilege to be present when Jesus raised from the dead the young daughter of Jairus; while at a later date this apostle had an opportunity of proving for himself the practicality of the Nazarene’s command that his followers should “raise the dead.” • While visiting Joppa, on the seacoast of Palestine, Peter received an urgent call to visit the neighboring town of Lydda, where a kindly and generous women, known to the Jews as Tabitha, and to the Greeks as Dorcas, had fallen sick and died. ---Following the example of the Master in the case of Jairus’ child, Peter swiftly banished the mourners from Tabitha’s room, and when he turned to God in prayer she was quickly restored to life (Acts 9: 36-41).

Westerberg, Edith A., “Peter,” POEM, Christian Science Sentinel (27 March 1937), p. 538.

…. Day after day he followed him, in lowly Nazareth, On hillside slopes, or on the mountaintop of clearest knowing, Privileged to hear with understanding ears The words that would not pass away….

Thus to the now awakened Peter, firm in faith, Loyal to this behest, Came opportunity so many times to show that he was true— True to the Christ, to Truth, to be made manifest in Christlike ways of healing sin, disease, and even death itself; For in that living faith, he could with surety turn from the woeful evidence of death and say, “Tabitha, arise”! And she arose.

Yes, Peter loved the Master!

SECTION VI: Paul’s Greeting and Thanksgiving for Timothy’s Faith (II Tim 1: 1-7)

“Paul, now imprisoned…in Rome and expecting death by execution very soon, renews his exhortations to Timothy at Ephesus.” (Peake’s Commentary)

Timothy [Tim’uh thih] (“honored by God”)

TIME LINE: @50-60 CE

Lois (grandmother) Eunice (Jewess mother) = Greek father Timothy

Timothy was a young associate who was Paul's friend, disciple, companion, and “beloved and faithful child in the Lord,” in many of his journeys. Timothy is associated with Paul in the prescripts of at least four of the apostle’s letters: I Thessalonians, II Corinthians, Philemon, and Romans; additionally he is mentioned as joint sender in those four as well as two other of Paul’s epistles: II Thessalonians and Colossians.

He was born in Asia Minor. His Jewish mother, Eunice, and his grandmother, Lois, are mentioned as eminent for their piety. We know nothing of his father but that he was a Greek gentile.

He is first brought into notice at the time of Paul's second missionary journey on his second visit to Lystra, where Timothy probably resided, and where it seems he was converted during Paul's first visit to that place. The apostle having formed a high opinion of his "own son in the faith," arranged that he should become his companion, and took and circumcised him, so that he might conciliate the Jews. He was designated to the office of an evangelist, and went with Paul in his journey through Phrygia, Galatia, and Mysia; also to Troas and Philippi and Berea. Thence he followed Paul to Athens, and was sent by him with Silas on a mission to Thessalonica.

When, with Silvanus (Silas), Timothy joined Paul in Corinth, he was the bearer of good news: the Thessalonians remained steadfast in “faith and love,” and they longed to see Paul (I Thess 3:6). He passes now out of sight for a few years, and is again noticed as with the apostle at Ephesus, whence he is sent on a mission into Macedonia. He accompanied Paul afterwards into Asia, where he was with him for some time. When the apostle was a prisoner at Rome, Timothy joined him, where it appears he also suffered imprisonment. From Rome, Paul sent Timothy to Philippi to bring back word of the congregation that had supported the apostle so faithfully over the years.

“The position of Timothy appears to have been that of apostolic deputy, and it is not surprising that Paul wrote to him a special letter with regard to his task.” (Westminster Bible Dictionary)

During the apostle's second imprisonment he wrote to Timothy, asking him to rejoin him as soon as possible, and to bring with him certain things which he had left at Troas, his cloak and parchments. According to tradition, after the apostle's death he settled in Ephesus as his sphere of labor, and there found a martyr's grave.

Correll, William Milford (CSB, Lecturer, and Associate Editor), “The Will of God,” Christian Science Journal (February 1956), p. 69.

--The value to humanity of gaining the correct concept of God, hence of His will, can scarcely be estimated. --God is eternal Life, infinite Love, omnipresent Truth. • He is the self-sustained Principle of the universe including man. ---He is the one omnipotent Mind, which is Spirit; and His will manifests the divine intelligence that lovingly embraces and governs all true individuality. --The will of God is the creative, impelling power which outlines and delineates man’s being, his activity, his harmony, his health. --Being convinced of the absolute goodness and omnipotence of God enables us to yield to His control and care. • To pray for His will to be done brings quietness of thought, fulfillment, and healing.

Dunn, John Randall (CSB, Lecturer, and Editor), “Power, Love, and a Sound Mind,” EDITORIAL, Christian Science Sentinel (5 October 1946), p. 1735.

--In his second letter to Timothy, the Apostle Paul gives this simple but profound rule for the solving of every problem in human experience. • He writes (II Tim 1:7), “God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” ---Now since fear comes not from God, or Truth, it cannot be true. ---It can only be a lying suggestion. • Should fear whisper, “You are going to fail! Your memory is faulty; you are not very intelligent,” what is the remedy? ---Why, this great truth: God has not given you a sense of fear, or inferiority. • You can claim as your heritage power, love, and sound mind, an intelligence which is the reflection of the all-knowing Mind. ---In her book “Pulpit and Press” (p. 3) Mrs. Eddy writes: “Know, then, that you possess sovereign power to think and act rightly, and that nothing can dispossess you of this heritage and trespass on Love. If you maintain this position, who or what can cause you to sin or suffer?” --With the understanding of man as the son of God comes the realization that the children of the Most High are indeed “kings and priests unto God” (Rev 1:6), and are endowed with power, love, and a sound mind.

Lois [L_’_s] (“more pleasant”)

Lois Eunice (daughter) = Greek husband Timothy (grandson)

“According to Acts 16:1-3, a coworker of Paul’s named Timothy was the uncircumcised son of a Jewish mother, who was herself a “believer”…and a Gentile father.” (Women in Scripture) Lois was the mother of Eunice and the grandmother of Timothy. A devout Jewess, Lois instructed both her daughter and her grandson in the Old Testament. She was a woman of unfeigned faith. Paul gave Lois and her daughter Eunice credit for Timothy’s spiritual instruction.

Little, Col William, USA (Ret) (CSB, Washington, DC), “Grandmother was right!,” Christian Science Journal (June 1995), p. 22.

--I was fourteen at the time and a freshman in high school. --She said that I should consider becoming a member of The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist. • In her opinion, this would encourage me to progress mentally, morally, and spiritually and to be a help to others. • In order for me to come to my own conclusions about the subject, she recommended that I study the Manual of The Mother Church by Mary Baker Eddy. ---This book gives specific rules that guide Christian Scientists in carrying out Church-related activities. --Active church membership encourages us to pray for the world and for specific collective human needs. --So, Grandmother was right! • Church membership has caused me to progress mentally, morally, and spiritually. ---Through it I have learned a most vital way to help others, and through it I continue to be challenged to put my love for God and for mankind into active practice daily.

“Newspaper columnist thinks back to grandmother’s words of comfort,” Christian Science Sentinel (16 November 1987), p. 13.

--My grandmother said, “Remember, Ronald, you are God’s perfect child,” before we disconnected our long distance telephone conversation. --She has always said that to me, ever since I was a little boy. • It always brought me a good deal of comfort when I was down --Grand raised me with a gentle hand that was founded in her Christian Science faith. • In fact, if there is any gentleness in me at all, I guess I owe it to her. --Her favorite Bible verse is I Corinthians 13:13—“And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.” --She’s the only person I know who, if she can’t say anything good about someone, will just be silent. • She holds her peace because she believes that all people are good, even if others can’t see that goodness on first glance, or the second, or the third.

Eunice [You’niss] (Gr. “blessed with victory”)

Lois (mother) Eunice = Greek husband Timothy

“A co-missionary of Paul’s called Timothy is well known from the undisputed letters of Paul, which provide no biographical information about him.” (Women in Scripture) Eunice was the daughter of Lois and the mother of Timothy. Although Eunice is a Greek name and her husband was a Gentile, Eunice was a pious Jewess as was Lois her mother. Although Timothy had not been circumcised as a child, he had been brought up in “genuine faith” by Eunice and Lois.

“Motherhood,” POEM, Journal (April 1886), p. 8.

I’LL lift my heart in gratitude above, For gifts of nature and redeeming Love; And next for thee, who dost with fondness prove — A Mother.

With kindness thou didst watch my infant years, Soothed when I grieved, and wiped the falling tears; To pity now, in care or grief, appears, No Mother.

Kind Heaven to me has given many a friend, To cheer my days, and to my wants attend; Yet oft my heart would dictate, “Kindly lend My Mother.”

The robins every morning sweetly sing, Could we together feel the sweets of spring! Would that a wish, a prayer to me could bring That Mother.”

Yet to Thy will, oh Power Supreme, I bow, Thou workest all things for my good, I know! We’ll kiss the hand from whence our sorrows flow, Oh Mother.

O’Conner, Maida McLeod, “The Mother as an Educator,” Christian Science Sentinel (13 September 1969), p. 1588.

--Christian Science reveals that God’s children are beautiful, complete, whole, and mature, and that they need no cultivation to make them so. • Children are actually perfect now; they are made in the likeness of God, the Father and Mother of all. ---As a mother recognizes these facts, she is proportionately released from the burdening sense of false responsibilities and fear and freed to undertake the training of her children with understanding, confidence, and joy. --Mrs. Eddy states, “A mother is the strongest educator, either for or against crime.” (S&H 236: 12-13) • When does she begin? ---Surely this teaching begins with the first tender, warm communications of affection. ---Then it develops to meet all the myriad demands of every state and stage of the infant child, teen-ager, and young adult. --The Psalmist said, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments” (Ps 111:10).

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Commentaries

Barton, John and John Muddiman (ed.), The Oxford Bible Commentary. Oxford University Press: Oxford, UK, 2001.

Black, Matthew and H.H. Rowley (eds.), Peake’s Commentary on the Bible. Van Nostrand Reinhold (UK) Co. Ltd: London, ENG, 1962.

Dobson, Edward G. (cont. et al), King James Bible Commentary. Thomas Nelson Publishers: Nashville, TN, 1999.

Dummelow, The Rev J.R. (ed.), A Commentary on the Holy Bible. MacMillan Publishing Co., Inc: New York, NY, 1975.

Dunn, James D.G. (gen. ed.), Erdmans Commentary on the Bible. William B. Erdmans Publishing Co.: Grand Rapids, MI, 2003.

Eiselen, Frederick C. (ed.), The Abingdon Bible Commentary. Abingdon Press: New York, NY, 1929.

Henry, Matthew, Commentary on the Whole Bible (in six volumes), 1706. Reprinted by MacDoanld Publishing Co.: McLean, VA.

Landis, Benson Y., An Outline of the Bible Book by Book. Barnes & Noble Books: New York, NY, 1963.

Laymon, Charles M. (ed.), The Interpreter’s One-volume Commentary on the Bible. Abingdon Press: Nashville, TN, 1971.

Mays, James L. (gen ed.), HarperCollins Bible Commentary. Harper: San Francisco, CA, 2000.

Whiston, William (tr.), Josephus: The Complete Works. Thomas Nelson Publishers: Nashville, TN, 1998.

Dictionaries

Achtemeier, Paul J. (ed.), The HarperCollins Bible Dictionary. Harper: San Francisco, 1996.

Brownrigg, Ronald, Who’s Who in the Bible. The New Testament. Bonanza Books: New York, NY, 1980.

Butler, Trent C., Ph.D. (gen. Ed.), Holmon Bible Dictionary. Holman Bible Publishers: Nashville, TN, 1991.

Comay, Joan, Who’s Who in the Bible: The Old Testament. Bonanza Books: New York, NY, 1980. Gehman, Henry Snyder (ed.), The New Westminster Dictionary of the Bible. The Westminster Press: Philadelphia, PA, 1970.

Metzger, Bruce and Michael D. Coogan (eds.), The Oxford Guide to People & Places of the Bible. Oxford University Press: New York, NY, 2001.

______, The Oxford Guide to People & Places of the Bible. Oxford University Press: New York, NY, 2001.

Peloubet, F.N., Peloubet’s Bible Dictionary. The John C. Winston Co: Philadelphia, PA, 1947.

Who Was Who in the Bible. Thomas Nelson: Nashville, TN, 1999.

HYPERLINK "http://www.bibletexts.com" www.bibletexts.com

HYPERLINK "http://www.crosswalk.com" www.crosswalk.com, Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary.

HYPERLINK "http://www.crosswalk.com" www.crosswalk.com, Easton’s Bible Dictionary.

Atlases and Maps

Frank, Harry Thomas (ed.), “Atlas of the Bible Lands.” Hammond Inc.: Maplewood, NJ, 1990.

Nelson’s Complete Book of Maps & Charts. Thomas Nelson Publishers: Nashville, TV, 1996.

Then and Now Bible Map Book. Rose Publishing: Torrance, CA, 1997.

Time Lines

Bible Time-Line. Christian Science Publishing Society: Boston, MA, 1993.

Bible Time Line. Rose Publishing Inc.: Torrance, CA, 2001......

Bowker, John (ed.), The Complete Bible Handbook. DK Publishing, Inc: London, UK, 1998.

DeVries, Lamoine F., Cities of the Biblical World. Hendrickson Publishers: Peabody, MA, 1997 (2nd Printing Aug 1998).

Kee, Howard Clark, et al, The Cambridge Companion to the Bible. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, UK, 1997.

Snipes, Joan Koelle, Bible Study for Children. Bible Teaching Press: Shepherdstown, WV, 1999.

Thompson, Frank Charles (ed.), The New Chain-Reference Bible. B.B. Kirkbride Bible Co: Indianapolis, IN, 1964.

Tosto, Peter (ed.), Found Volumes, Version 2002 (software). HYPERLINK "http://www.foundvolumes.com" www.foundvolumes.com: Marietta, GA, 2002. Trench, R.C., Notes on the Parables of Our Lord. Baker Book House: Grand Rapids, MI, 1948.

Zondervan Bible Study Library 5.0., Family Edition (software). Zondervan: Grand Rapids, MI, 2003.

*The weekly Bible Lessons are made up of selections from the King James Version of the Bible and the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, who discovered Christian Science. 4.3.05

PAGE 14