Christian Science is a religious movement founded in the late 19th century by Mary Baker Eddy. It is based on Eddy’s interpretation of the Bible and her book Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures. Some key beliefs and practices of Christian Science include:
God
Christian Science teaches that God is infinite Mind, universal Principle, the only reality. God is entirely good and spiritual, never material. Christian Science rejects the traditional Christian view of a personal, anthropomorphic God.
Jesus Christ
Jesus is seen as the Son of God and the Way-shower who demonstrated the Christ, or divine nature within all people. His life embodied the perfect example of godliness. Christian Science denies that Jesus was God, but sees Him as the human manifestation of “Christ, the divine idea of God outside of matter” (Science and Health, p.361).
Evil
Christian Science teaches that evil, sin, disease and death are illusions resulting from false beliefs, not realities created by God. Matter itself is considered an illusion. This illusory thinking can be corrected and overcome through right thinking and spirituality.
Healing
Disease is seen as an illusion that can be corrected by prayer which aligns the human mind with Divine Mind. Christian Science healing is understood to proceed from the change in thought, not physical change. Medicine and medical interventions are generally avoided.
Prayer
Prayer in Christian Science is not asking God for something, but an affirmation of spiritual truth. As human thought aligns with divine consciousness through prayer, the unreality of material beliefs is exposed and the illness or discord disappears.
Sin
Sin is considered a mistake, rather than an offense needing punishment. As illusions of the carnal mind replaced with spiritual understanding, sin is destroyed. Christian Science teaches that sin can be overcome through prayer, redemption being found in spiritual understanding – the atonement of Christ.
Death
Death is seen as an illusion or transitional phase, with no permanent reality. Christian Scientists avoid saying that a person died, preferring euphemisms such as “passed on” or “departed from human existence.” They believe that those adhering to the religion will not experience permanent or spiritual death.
Sacraments
Christian Science does not have traditional sacraments. It substitutes sacraments with public and private ritual healings, along with readings from Science and Health for Holy Communion and baptism.
Christian Science Reading Rooms
These local centres serve as study places and reading rooms. They are open to the public and make literature by Eddy and authorized Christian Science literature available. The reading rooms are designed to spread Christian Science teachings.
Mary Baker Eddy
Mary Baker Eddy (1821-1910), the founder of Christian Science, is highly regarded by Christian Scientists, but not worshipped. They believe she discovered and founded Christian Science as the result of her personal quest for healing. Her teachings are found in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.
The Bible
Christian Science regards the Bible as their authority, along with Mary Baker Eddy’s writings. But they interpret the Bible in light of Christian Science teachings rather than literally. For example, they do not see the Genesis accounts as meaning God literally created a material world.
Overall, Christian Scientists hold the Bible as sacred scripture, but read it through the lens of Christian Science theology, particularly that taught by Mary Baker Eddy. This leads them to deny mainstream Christian interpretations of the Bible on issues like God, Jesus, sin, evil, salvation and the material world.
Church Services
Christian Science church services are held on Sundays and Wednesdays. They include singing hymns, prayer, and citations of healings from Christian Science literature. There is also a sermon, consisting of readings from the King James Version Bible and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.
Christian Science Practitioners
These are individuals who devote full time to healing through prayer. They pray specifically for healing based on the expressed needs of each patient. The goal is to restore the individual to health and harmony through the power of God.
In summary, Christian Science is a unique American-born religious movement centered on metaphysical healing. It arose in the late 19th century based on the teachings of Mary Baker Eddy. The church departs significantly from traditional Christian doctrine and practice.
Christian Scientists hold the Bible as authority, but interpret it in an unorthodox manner based on Mary Baker Eddy’s teachings. Core differences from mainstream Christianity include their views on the nature of God, Jesus Christ, sin, matter and illness. The religion is characterized by an emphasis on healing through prayer.
Christian Science teaches that sickness and death are illusions to be overcome through prayer and alignment with Divine Mind. Services consist mainly of Bible and Eddy readings, hymns and testimonies of healing. While relatively small in size, the Christian Science Church remains an enduring American religious movement.