Expressive Communication Services

GIVING PROOF OF DIVINE LOVE
READERS REPRESENTING THE PASTOR
January 26 – February 1, 2026

In “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures” by Mary Baker Eddy on page 54:13-17, we find the following two sentences:
“In witness of his divine commission, he presented the proof that Life, Truth, and Love heal the sick and the sinning, and triumph over death through Mind, not matter. This was the highest proof he could have offered of divine Love.”
These two sentences present several significant concepts. I find that, as we sort out and focus on these concepts, many of us tend to overlook a simple “new idea/old idea” issue.

OLD IDEAS
Consider Mrs. Eddy’s references to Jesus’ proof of the presence and power of divine Love. Note that the word, “proof” appears twice in these sentences. Clearly, “proof” in the first sentence and “proof” in the second sentence are synonymous.
Less obvious is the similarity of the words, “presented” in the first sentence and “offered” in the second sentence. They perform the same function, so we can treat them as synonymous.

CONVENTIONS OF CONVERSATION
A fundamental practice in our normal conversation is to emphasize new ideas and subdue old ideas. However, I often hear Readers emphasize both “proof” and “offered” in the second sentence—even though they are old ideas.
If you agree that “proof” and “offered” are old ideas, then they should be subdued.

SUGGESTIONS FOR READERS
Based on the above reasoning, consider reading these two sentences as follows.
{NOTE: Words within [square brackets] are to be subdued; words in ALL CAPS are to be emphasized.}
“In WITNESS of his DIVINE COMMISSION, he PRESENTED the PROOF that LIFE, TRUTH, and LOVE HEAL the SICK and the SINNING, and TRIUMPH over DEATH through MIND, NOT MATTER. [This was the] HIGHEST [proof he] COULD [have offered] of DIVINE LOVE.”
I think you’ll feel comfortable reading it that way. Give it a try and see if it sounds natural to you.

Happy reading!

Don Feldheim
[email protected]

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SATAN’S VOICE

READERS REPRESTENTING THE PASTOR
October 20, 2024

Most of us are familiar with the account of Satan tempting Jesus, as told in Matthew 4, verses 1-11. This account is included in this week’s Christian Science Bible Lesson Sermon titled, “Doctrine of Atonement.”

THREE VOICES
Readers of this account are responsible for representing three different characters: the narrator, Jesus, and Satan. To help keep the characters as clearly identified as possible for their listeners, Readers should use distinctive voices for each of them.

NARRATOR’S VOICE
The narrator is, of course, the apostle Matthew. Being an apostle of Jesus, we can be confident that Matthew has great compassion for Jesus—especially when Jesus is hungry and under attack. So, the Reader might consider adopting a deeply concerned voice when reading Matthew’s narration.

JESUS’ VOICE
In this scenario, we can probably assume that Jesus is hungry, not having eaten for an extended period of time. This might possibly contribute to a somewhat weaker voice—at least to begin with. Then, it seems to me that Jesus would quickly have drawn on his God-given strength, developing a strong, firm, confident, and combative voice when resisting Satan’s temptations.

SATAN’S VOICE
We, of course, don’t like Satan. Indeed, we abhor Satan because we know how evil he/she is. Consequently, some Readers are inclined to represent Satan’s voice as aggressive, challenging, critical, insulting, and demeaning of Jesus.
However, let’s consider Satan’s goal. It seems to me that Satan is attempting to recruit Jesus to join Satan’s “team.” If that seems reasonable to you, would it also be reasonable to assume that Satan would adopt a much more attractive voice that’s pleasant, gentle, compassionate, benign, and concerned?
FOR EXAMPLE….
In verse 3, I can imagine Satan feigning concern that Jesus is hungry. So, he compassionately conveys something like, “Oh, my poor boy, you’re starving. Just turn these stones into bread so that you may have something to eat.”
In verse 6, perhaps Satan again masks his challenge in a tender, confident tone of voice, suggesting that Jesus cast himself off the pinnacle of the temple so that all can see how wonderfully God protects His special son.
In verse 8, Satan shows Jesus all the material wonders of the world and, perhaps with a plaintive, pleading tone, begs Jesus to worship him, hoping to play on Jesus’ sympathy.

INDIVIDUAL INTERPRETATION
Of course, I wasn’t there to actually witness the encounter, so what I’ve just described is how I’ve worked it out according to my own understanding and assumptions. Each Reader must work it out on their own. But, if my suggestions seem to make sense to you, give it a try and see if it sounds right to you.

Happy reading!
Don Feldheim
[email protected]
www.ExpressiveCommunicationServices.com

RABBINICAL ERROR AND OTHER ERRORS

Readers Representing the Pastor
October 7-13, 2024

This week’s Christian Science Bible Lesson Sermon answers the question, “Are Sin, Disease, and Death Real?” In the lesson, the following sentence from page 30 of “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures” by Mary Baker Eddy appears:
“As the individual ideal of Truth, Christ Jesus came to rebuke rabbinical error and all sin, sickness, and death.”

POTENTIAL FOR UNJUSTIFIED INSULT
Interestingly, this sentence, if read incorrectly, could sound like a serious insult to Jewish rabbis. There are two ways that can happen:
{NOTE: words within {square brackets] are subdued; words in ALL CAPS are emphasized; slashes // indicate pauses.}
1. As the INDIVIDUAL IDEAL of TRUTH, / CHRIST JESUS CAME to REBUKE [rabbinical error] / and ALL [sin, sickness, and death].
By subduing both “rabbinical error” and “sin, sickness, and death,” we would be treating them as common concepts, conveying to our listeners that “rabbinical error” and “sin, sickness, and death” are synonymous.

2. As the INDIVIDUAL IDEAL of TRUTH, / CHRIST JESUS CAME to REBUKE RABBINICAL ERROR / and ALL [sin, sickness, and death].

Again, in this version, by emphasizing “ALL” and subduing [“sin, sickness, and death”] our listeners would feel that “sin, sickness, and death” were old concepts, referring back to “RABBINICAL ERROR.”

NOT THE INTENT
I’m confident that Mrs. Eddy’s intent was not to equate “rabbis” with “sin, sickness, and death.”

THE REMEDY
I believe we can avoid such misleading readings by reading it as follows:
“As the INDIVIDUAL IDEAL of TRUTH, / CHRIST JESUS CAME to REBUKE RABBINICAL ERROR / AND [all] SIN, SICKNESS, AND DEATH.”
Or we could also emphasize the word, “ALL,” as long as we don’t indicate that “SIN, SICKNESS, AND DEATH” are old concepts, synonymous with rabbis or rabbinical error.

We just want to avoid alienating anyone!

Happy reading!

Don Feldheim
[email protected]
www.ExpressiveCommunicationServices.com