"And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent."

  - John 17.3

I entreat Thee by all the holy disciples who learned the spiritual sciences both of the Old and New Testament...

  - Anonymous, Litany of Jesus (Irish, 15th century, but perhaps earlier)

The phrase "spiritual sciences" here is, in the old Irish, fessa spirutalda - "knowledge of spiritual things." I prefer Charles Plummer's translation, however, because he captures the idea both that spiritual things can be known and that there is a proper way - a science - by which we may know them.

The leading lights of our secular age, of course, do not believe in spiritual things; thus, they would scoff at the very idea of a "science" of spiritual things.

But their dismissal of such matters should not deter us. We have been redeemed for "spiritual science." At least, that's what Jesus taught. The essence of eternal life is to know God and Jesus Christ. This implies subject matter which can be known and a particular way of knowing it - science.

Note that spiritual science is the work of disciples - those who believe in Jesus and are committed to learning Him. If you are a disciple of Christ, then you are called to the joyous work of spiritual science. This is a call to lifelong learning.

But note also that "holy" disciples are in the best position to advance toward their degree in this field. That's because holiness is the proof that they are becoming true scientists of spiritual things in their work of learning the Lord Jesus. Holiness is always on the exam in the school of spiritual science.

The foundation texts of our spiritual science are the Old and New Testaments. Here is the motherload of all that is to be mined for spiritual science, for knowing God and Christ and living in the fullness of joy and blessedness with Him. We must peruse, plumb, plunder, and practice every section of Scripture, every day of our lives if we would increase in spiritual science.

We are called to this work, dear friends, and it ill behooves us to approach it in anything other than a serious and scientific manner. We can know the Lord! We can live within the realm of spiritual things, drawing on power from beyond this material world to bring forth fruit for which our secular age earnestly longs but is unable to engender.

It takes real scientists to solve the real problems of the world. And it takes real spiritual scientists - holy followers of Jesus who are steeped in His Word of truth - to lead the world into the true realms of knowing which are the landscape of eternal life.

And you and I have been enrolled in this curriculum. Let us take it up joyfully and with all diligence!

T. M. Moore, Principal

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The Scriptures are the foundation documents of the Kingdom of God. This is the argument in Book 2 of our Kingdom Civics series, Kingdom Documents. Order your copy today, and order some copies of If Men Will Pray to encourage the men in your life to get serious about prayer. Or sign up for the course, BT 1 Getting God's Word, which includes this little book as a text. Learn how you can become a more fruitful spiritual scientist.