CSJ, 1889, December, Vol 7, page 461

"Editor's Note Book"

The Publication Committee of the National Christian Science Association decided at a recent meeting, to issue 'Christian Science Bible Lessons,' (International Series) -- commencing January, 1890 -- prepared by a number of Christian Science workers. They will appear under no compiler's or author's name and will embody new features that will, it is believed, make them helpful to Scientist students of the Bible. One of these will be copious references to passages of Science and Health illustrative of the Scripture text under consideration.

CSJ, 1890, January, Vol 7, page 500

"The Bible Lessons" by the Editors - description of the new Bible Lesson committee and format of the Bible Lessons. (Throughout 1890 the RV rather than the KJV was used for the Bible Lessons.) To read this article, click on or browse http://www.bibletexts.com/articles/j007p500.htm.

CSJ, 1890, September, Vol 8, page 268

"Readings in the Old Testament" - comparison of the KJV and the RV.

CSJ, 1890, October, Vol 8, page 309

"Questions and Answers"

Question: "An article giving the Christian Science interpretation of the International Sunday School Lessons [the Christian Science Quarterly Bible Lesson], would be highly appreciated by the readers of the Journal. It would no doubt reach the masses better than the pamphlet. The latter is good -- but practical thoughts by competent persons would do good. -- J.H."

Answer: "In careful study of the references, our friend will find better Scientific interpretation of the Lessons than any that could be written. It is precisely to destroy dependence on someone else to bring out the meaning, that little but references is given. This habit of dependence on another to do our work is a relic of the old thought. In the new, we learn to 'work out' our salvation."

CSJ, 1890, October, Vol 8, page 319

"Why do you recommend the Rotherham translation of the Scriptures?" - Very interesting questions to, and answers by, the Editors. To read this article, browse http://www.bibletexts.com/articles/j008p319.htm.

CSJ, 1890, November, Vol 8, page 323

"Prophecies of Science and Health in the Scriptures" by J.F.B. - an article with numerous Bible references, all of which are either from either Young's literal translation or from the Revised Version

CSJ, 1891, January, Vol 8, page 460

"The New Translation" by Alfred Farlow - praise for but caution regarding early adoption of Rotherham's New Testament [RNT] translation. To read this article, browse http://www.bibletexts.com/articles/j008p461.htm.

CSS, 1899, December 14, Vol 2, #15, page 240

"The Bible" by the Editors - generic discussion of translations and interpretations

CSJ, 1899, May, Vol 17, page 144-152

"The Lesson Sermons" by the Editors - This is a lengthy article that explains the development and structure of the Bible Lessons. On page 150 there is a recommendation that Readers consult the Revised Version, Rotherham's New Testament, and "other equally high authorities:"

In the case of the Bible texts, then the Reader should study the context, and if an historical incident be referred to he should learn the whole history of the event named. In this study he may be helped by Smith's Bible Dictionary, the Revised Version of the Bible, Rotherham, or other equally high authorities. Having a clear understanding of the outward facts concerning the Bible passages, he should study them in connection with their correlative passages from Science and Health to learn their scientific meaning. Then with prayer and meditation he will behold their deep inward meaning, and grasp their profound spiritual import.

CSS, 1900, January 25, Vol 2, page 336-338

"Scientific Research and Biblical Study" by the Editors - This editorial is primarily comprised of interesting and lengthy excerpts from a paper delivered by the Rev. Canon R.B. Girdlestone, M.A, at a meeting of the Victoria Institute or Philosophical Society of Great Britain. The Editors' noted the following: "The Rev. Mary Baker Eddy has for a number of years been an associate life-member of this society, having been specially invited to unite with this distinguished body."

CSJ, 1903, June, Vol 21, page 143

"The English Bible from Wycliffe to the Present Time" by Richard P. Verrall - includes a discussion of the RV, the American Revised Version {now known as the American Standard Version [ASV]}, the RNT, and others

CSS, 1904, April 4, Vol 6, page 492

"Christian Science and the Bible" by the Editors - discussion of the value of current biblical scholarship, with emphasis on the importance of the spiritual meaning

CSS, 1906, January 6, Vol 8, page 291

"I John 3:1,2,3" by Hermann S. Hering - an explanation of the meaning and correct reading of 1 John 3:1-3. (This article was personally approved for publication by Mary Baker Eddy.) To read this article, browse http://www.bibletexts.com/articles/s008p291.htm.

CSS, 1911, December 9, Vol 13, page 285

"Studying the Bible" by S. Constance Logan - recommendation for students to use "the many different translations of the Bible" as well as other Bible research materials

CSJ, 1912, April, Vol 30, page 7

"The Bible and the Christian Science Text-book" by Mary Troxell - discussion of the development and use of the RV

CSS, 1913, April 12, Vol 15, page 631

"Bible Study" by Annie M. Knott - discussion of the pros and cons of using "Bible helps" in the study of the Lesson-Sermon. While emphasizing the primary role of the KJV, Ms. Knott does state,

It is true that the authorized revision of the Bible [RV], representing the consecrated work of scholarly men for many years, gives in certain passages a better sense of the original...

CSS, 1916, July 1, Vol 18, page 168

"Healing the Multitudes" by Florence Clerihew Boyd. This article includes the following statement about the Bible Lesson:

Mrs. Eddy once said to a student that she longed for the day to come when no one could enter a Christian Science church, no matter how sick or how sorrowing that one might be, without being healed, and that this day can come only when every member of the church studies and demonstrates the truth contained in the Lesson-Sermon, and takes with him to the service the consciousness thus prepared.

CSS, 1918, July 13, Vol 20, page 910

"The English Bible" by William P. McKenzie - After referring to the ancient translation of the Old Testament from Hebrew or Chaldee into Greek, Mr. McKenzie goes on by saying,

It is to be noted that where the first translators blundered, the translators into other tongues, following them, repeated the mistakes; therefore dogmas based on Latin, Italian, Spanish, French, German, and also English translation are sometimes quite insecurely founded, and with whatever reluctance, must be given up. Mrs. Eddy's teachings bring us back to the spiritual intuition of the original writers, making us understand their message and able to prove it true, for she gave us an example by her own demonstation.

Mr. McKenzie then quotes Science and Health 24:4.

CSJ, 1923, March, Vol 40, page 483

"The Christian Science Bible Lessons" by Irving C. Tomlinson - a description of the structure and study of the Bible Lesson. To read this article, browse http://www.bibletexts.com/articles/j040p483.htm.

CSJ, 1938, March, Vol 55, page 679

"King James and the Authorized Version" by Thomas L. Leishman

CSJ, 1938, April, Vol 56, page 38

"The Sources of the Authorized Version" by Thomas L. Leishman

CSJ, 1938, May, Vol 56, page 97

"The Translators of the Authorized Version" by Thomas L. Leishman

CSJ, 1938, June, Vol 56, page 153

"The Triumph of the Authorized Version" by Thomas L. Leishman

CSJ, 1938, July, Vol 56, page 214

"The Revised Version" by Thomas L. Leishman

CSJ, 1938, August, Vol 56, page 273

"The American Standard Version" by Thomas L. Leishman

CSJ, 1938, September, Vol 56, page 330

"Modern Versions of the Bible" by Thomas L. Leishman

CSJ, 1941, August, Vol 59, page 241-249

"Mrs. Eddy's Plan for Public Services and Bible Teaching" by William P. McKenzie

CSJ, 1946, February, Vol 64, page 93

"From the Directors" - Reprinted statement from the 1938 Christian Science Board of Directors regarding the primary role of the KJV. To read this article, browse http://www.bibletexts.com/articles/j064p093.htm.

CSJ, 1948, April, Vol 66, page 174

"Bible Texts and Manuscripts" by Walter M. Meredith

CSJ, 1980, September, 1980, Vol 98, page 493; CSS, 1984, Vol 86, page 1659

"Our pastor and the place of the King James Version of the Bible" - Statement from the Christian Science Board of Directors (1980), emphasizing the primary role of the KJV.

CSS, 1989, November 20, Vol 91, page 22

"The Scriptures are sacred" - Statement from the 1989 Christian Science Board of Directors (1989), further discussing the place of the KJV and the value of and "hazards" of modern translations.

FULL TEXT OF CSJ & CSS ARTICLES - The full text of all of the articles mentioned above may be read at Christian Science Reading Rooms, most of which maintain in their library collection bound volumes of all of the past issues of The Christian Science Journal and Christian Science Sentinel. To find a Christian Science Reading Room near you, browse http://168.203.8.11/Church.qry?function=form.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE LESSON - "A history of the official use of both the KJV and non-KJV Bible versions in the Christian Science Quarterly Bible Lesson and elsewhere." This article includes many quotations from early issues of The Christian Science Journal and Christian Science Sentinel, and a great deal of other information from various historical archives, including from The Mother Church. To read this webpage article, browse http://www.bibletexts.com/bl-ver.htm.

Abbreviations

• ASV = American Standard Version (also known as the American Revised Version)
• CSJ = The Christian Science Journal
• CSS = Christian Science Sentinel
• KJV = King James Version
• RSV = Revised Standard Version
• RNT = Rotherham's New Testament