What is Christian Science?
The heart of Christian Science is Love. It’s about feeling God’s goodness. It’s based on the Bible and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures and other writings by Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of Christian Science. Christian Science encourages people to see things from a spiritual perspective, as Jesus taught.
Jesus said, “He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also…” (John 14:12).
Mary Baker Eddy said, “these mighty works are not supernatural, but supremely natural…” (Science and Health, p.xi:14).
This can mean resolving difficult challenges with health, relationships, employment, and so on through prayer, although people who practice Christian Science are free to make their own choices about what to think and do in each situation, including health care.
What is God?
There are many inspiring references to God in the Bible, and from them, Christian Science derives a definition of God as “The great I AM; the all-knowing, all-seeing, all-acting, all-wise, all-loving, and eternal; Principle; Mind; Soul; Spirit; Life; Truth; Love; all substance; intelligence” (Science and Health, p.587).
God, our all-powerful, ever-present, tenderly loving Father-Mother, maintains our wholly spiritual identity and relationship with Him as forever perfect, made in His “image” and “likeness”.
How can I find out more about Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of Christian Science?
Mary Baker Eddy (1821–1910) was an influential American author, teacher, and religious leader, noted for her groundbreaking ideas about spirituality and health, which she named Christian Science. First published in 1875, her best-seller Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, is used today as the textbook of the Christian Science religion. Four years later she founded the Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts, the world headquarters of Christian Science, which today has branch churches and societies around the world. Learn more about Mary Baker Eddy.
How can Christian Science help me?
When asked why they love Christian Science, people say things like:
- It works!
- I’m never alone.
- I always feel safe.
- I feel God’s tender presence more than ever.
- I feel loved, without judgment, unconditionally.
- It comforts me in any circumstance.
- It makes Jesus’ life and teachings relevant to me today.
- It brought peace and harmony to my life.
Christian Science can help you and others in the same way it has helped these people!
More about how Christian Science can help you.
Is it true that Christian Scientists don’t take medicine?
It’s up to each person who practices Christian Science to choose the form of health care he or she wants. Many Christian Scientists decide to pray first about every challenge—including health issues—and find it effective. Many health care professionals today are recognizing options outside of conventional medicine. Christian Scientists recognize and respect the interests of medical professionals and don’t oppose them. We all care about the preventive and curative aspects of health care. Like all systems of healing, the track record for Christian Science isn’t perfect. But, over 80,000 Christian Science healings have been published throughout the past 140 years, including cancer, broken bones, diabetes, smoking, and countless other problems.
Is Christian Science the same thing as Scientology?
Christian Science is sometimes confused with Scientology, faith healing, New Age practices, and Eastern religions. It has also been called un-Christian or labeled a cult. Actually, Christian Science is none of the above. The inspiration it offers runs deeper than positive thinking. Christian Science teaches that it’s never God’s will for anyone to suffer, be sick, or die. Instead, it shows how God is entirely good, and therefore His will for each of us is only health and life.
How does Christian Science heal?
In the video series “Life Stories”, individuals from many walks of life share the ways that they have been healed in Christian Science. to learn how Christian Science is impacting people’s lives in big and little ways each day. Here’s one example …
How can I learn more?
There are lots of resources available to help you learn more about Christian Science. A Christian Science Reading Room in your community is a good place to start! Each local Reading Room is open to the public, and is a resource of books and other publications — many written in an easy to understand format — that will help you begin to better understand your relationship with God. Reading Rooms are staffed by members of the local Christian Science church, and the librarian on duty will be happy to help show you our Weekly Bible Lesson along with other basic study materials, which you can read there or purchase to take home with you. Many Reading Rooms also have many publications available in a lending library, which you may borrow to take with you for further study.
This FAQ is an excerpt from “What is Christian Science” at ChristianScience.com