Questions and answers about Christian Science
from the Christian Science Sentinel
As irrepressible as the coming of a new season is the hunger to understand one another. We all want to know more about our neighbors than what simply meets the eye—especially what’s in the heart impelling their lives. In this continuing series, we share questions and answers that have come up recently—in one-to-one conversations, in discussion groups, and through correspondence with people who want to know what Christian Science is and what it’s like to be a student of Christian Science. Of course, the responses given here are not presented as final or definitive. Nor are they the only way a particular inquiry might be responded to. But they do come out of actual exchanges between Christian Scientists and their neighbors.
The universal struggle to overcome sin in one’s life often leads to profound and probing questions. The following exchange occurred during a talk on Christian Science at a Protestant theological seminary.
Q: From the standpoint of Christian Science, are sin and sickness related?
A: Yes, very definitely so—but not in the sense that a person who is sick is necessarily guilty of some personal sin. Rather, sin, sickness, and death are all understood to be alike in the sense that they’re products of our failure to live out our actual God-derived being. We don’t feel that God puts man in a destructible mortal body to suffer and die inevitably. Jesus’ healings and other proofs of triumph over material limitations showed that he didn’t accept physical suffering and destructibility as natural, normal, or God-ordained.
Q: If that’s so, then where did evil and what Christian Science calls “mortal mind” originate in the first place?
A: I don’t think I or anyone else can pretend to answer that question in a totally satisfactory way from a theoretical point of view. A lot of people have found fault with some of the answers provided by traditional Protestantism to the problem of evil. To many it seems impossible that a good and omnipotent God could sanction the existence of evil in experience, let alone a personal devil capable of opposing Himself. On this basis, Christian Scientists believe that in the deepest sense evil doesn’t have an origin or any real existence and that this ultimately must be proved in one’s experience. I would add only that from the standpoint of Christian Science man’s true being and relation to God have been shown forth in the life of Christ Jesus and are possible of realization as we follow him step by step. To not achieve our true being and relation to God because we’re so worried about why we haven’t thus far achieved it, or to hypothesize about the origin of whatever might keep us from achieving it, wouldn’t make much sense or be very fruitful.
Q: Even if sin and man’s feeling of separation from God are overcome, what about guilt for the sins one has committed? Doesn’t this still have to be removed in some way, and doesn’t it persist after the sin itself is no longer practiced?
A: Let me just say that the word sin is used in a very large sense in Christian Science, a sense to be differentiated—as you do—from specific sins that flow from sin in its more basic sense. We don’t feel that the victory over sin as a whole is to be achieved easily or quickly. But we do feel that in proportion as the victory over sin is won, in proportion as sin itself is destroyed, we do experience God’s forgiveness. There’s no more penalty or guilt to the extent that this is accomplished.
If we continue to feel guilty, it may be that we haven’t completely put off the way of living and thinking that led to our acting sinfully in the first place. On the other hand, if we really have repented and been transformed, then the need is to be more accepting of God’s grace and forgiveness. It may take deep self-examination and honesty to determine whether our remaining guilt points to the need for more repentance or not. But as we strive to have the spirit of the Magdalene, as she sought out Jesus in Simon’s house and washed his feet with her tears, we will find our way free.
The following questions about healing were raised during a talk to a high-school comparative religions class.
Q: Why should I bother to pray when I can just take medicine and be cured?
A: There’s so much more to spiritual healing than simply a physical cure. For one thing there’s a feeling of newness that comes as a result of prayer. A person who has experienced spiritual healing has a new awareness of just how close God is and how much God loves us—all of us. This feeling of newness naturally spills over into every aspect of the Christian Scientist’s life and has the effect of touching others spiritually as well. For example, it’s not at all uncommon for someone to ask a Christian Scientist what it is that helps him or her when things at school or the office seem stormy. These questions often come when we’ve just experienced healing in some form—when we’ve had a newer sense of what God is and what He does for man!
Q: I’ve heard that the human mind contributes to the healing process, that it’s our healthy attitudes that are of help. Where does God fit in if this is so?
A: We don’t feel that the human mind, in and of itself, is what brings healing. In the Bible, when St. Paul writes to the Philippians, he urges Christians to “let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” This mind can’t be mere human intelligence. We see that it has to be the Mind that is God. Even Jesus said, “I can of mine own self do nothing … because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.”
For the Christian Scientist, the part the human mind plays in healing is in yielding to the good God has in store for His creation. If we’re busy trying to figure out or determine how healing should come through the human mind, that’s not the yielding that allows “this mind [to] be in [us], which was also in Christ Jesus”!
Q: If I asked you to pray for me, would you in your prayer bring me to God, or would you bring God to me?
A: Actually, if you were sick or injured, or in any kind of trouble, and asked me to pray for you, my prayer would be to have you see for yourself that God had never left you to begin with!
Comments:
1. N.Solano Says:
Why do Christian Science Knell down only on the subject” Sacrament”,why not every time you go to church? And why do we need to knell?
2. Leslie Cowan Says:
Kneeling has always been significant of humility, and perhaps when we are thinking particularly of the sacrament it is a useful reminder of our need to express humility. In this way, we follow to some extent the example of Jesus Christ, who said (John 5:19) “The Son can do nothing of himself, buth what he seeth the Father do” and who washed the disciples’ feet, telling them to follow his example. When we are dealing with other subjects in our round of Lesson-sermons, other aspects of our relationship to God come into prominence so kneeling for prayer is not so relevant; but I think it is importance that our sense of humility - our submission to God - stays with us all the time, for it is this recognition that we are subject only to the influence of an ever-present, all powerful ever-loving Goodness (which we call God)which enables us to be an agent for spiritual healing.
3. boy Says:
It is only through Christ Jesus and his saving power that people are able to do such things
4. jose Says:
man is a wretched being, we are indrenched in sin and are naturally evil as well as having the natural tendency to sin. In each of us, we all have evil desire and basically sin. How can you say that, sin is just an “illusion”.. “for all have fallen short of the glory of the father… “
5. jenny Says:
A lot of my friends have asked me similar questions, and one of the ideas I’ve shared is that Christian Scientists absolutely believe that we need a Saviour—that each individual needs (and deserves) to feel the redeeming power of Christ. Christ, the purifying love of God, is what saves us from this view of ourselves as wretched or inherently sinful.
What I love about Christian Science, though, is the way it explains how we are saved. Christian Science starts with Genesis 1—with man as made in the image of God. And since God is pure, wholly good, perfect in every aspect, sinless, how could His image (man and woman) be anything less than good and perfect and sinless?
That’s why Christian Science teaches that sin is a misconception. “Illusion” is a tough word, because it sounds like we’re ignoring sin, saying it doesn’t matter, sweeping it under the carpet. I think Christian Science very much recognizes that the belief of sin is one that has to be dealt with. Personally, I’m very aware of things I need to improve, ways in which my life could become more God-centered and pure.
But the difference is that I feel like redemption would be impossible if God had made me inherently sinful. I’m not sure how I could be saved if sin were something more than a simple misconception or a misunderstanding of the way God made me.
So how does salvation work? I feel like it’s as I let the power of Christ work in my heart, showing me God’s immeasurable love for me, reminding me that God made me in His image, assuring me that there’s only one story that’s true about me (that I am wholly pure, already perfect, spiritual with no element of materiality or sin in me) that I get that view of myself that I believe God has. This view brings me into line with who I really am, with my sinless, spiritual nature, and any wrong behaviors or unpleasant character traits naturally fall away. Sin is healed—destroyed—because it’s shown to have no place in God’s creation (including us).
In short, I think salvation in Christian Science is a willingness to conform to God’s view of us (as completely good, as spiritual and not material). And when we yield to this view, we see it is possible to follow the Bible command, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”
6. Chris Blair Says:
For Jenny,
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comments; they are helpful as I am trying to understand CS from an evangelical Christian’s experience.Jenny, what part does the death of Jesus as a sacrifice for the sins of mankind, if any, in order to restore fellowship with God the Father?
I do not ask this with a critical attitude at all, but I love and associate and want to find common ground with those who are CS in my life.I did not understand how those in CS seemed to deny sin, but now wonder what the gospel means to CS.I agree with much of your perspective of God’s creation, but what about the fall of man in the garden and man’s need for restoration?Thanks so much for your help.In Christ’s love, Chris
7. Julio Says:
I do not mean to ask this question with a critical or a disrespectful attitude. Please, forgive my ignorance. I am honestly struggling to understand what Christian Science teaches about “matter”. I would appreciate if anyone could answer this question to me:
- If matter does not exist, if it is just an illusion, why do we have to eat and drink water everyday? Thank you very much for your help.
8. levity Says:
Hi Julio,
That’s a good question, and if you look in the Bible, you’ll see that Jesus, for example, was able to go forty days without food and water, but that after that, even he was hungry and had to deal with the temptation of believing that matter could in any way sustain or satisfy him (see Matt. 4:1-4). And even after dealing with that temptation, he still continued to eat during the course of his ministry.
So I guess my answer is that we take baby steps toward demonstrating the allness of Spirit and the nothingness of matter. (And every healing, every loving thought, every time we exchange material thinking for spiritual thinking, is a step in that direction.)
I like the way a friend of mine once put it to me when I asked a similar question to yours. She said, “We don’t have to stop eating and drinking to prove God’s power and presence, but if we were in a situation where we didn’t have food or water, we could rely on God’s power and presence to sustain us and provide for us.”
And this really is true! A few years ago I had an assignment that kept me from eating for almost 12 hours (I was out on an interview and there just wasn’t an opportunity to eat). Normally, that kind of situation seems to have the effect of making me quite ill. But instead of being afraid of how I was going to feel, I spent the whole day with my thoughts focused on gratitude to God for the way He was taking care of me. I didn’t get sick at all that day; I didn’t even feel faint from the lack of food. To me this proves that we can triumph over matter, but that we don’t have to deprive ourselves of anything good (or of anything that still seems “necessary”) in the process.
Hope this helps.
9. Anonymous Says:
Hi Levity,
Thank you very much for your reply. Of course, it is really helpful. I believe nothing is impossible to God as the Creator of the universe. However, I still have problems to understand that matter “does not exist”. Unless, “matter” is not real in a sense that I haven’t been able to see, I tend to think that matter has its own properties whether I believe it or not.
I wonder, what would happen if I take strychnine, or sulfuric acid? Or, if some of the latter is poured on my skin?
What makes me enjoy coffee in the morning? Are the coffee, the smell, and the taste just illusions?
What does ‘physical body’ means in Christian Science? What are the ‘material’ or ‘physical’ senses that Mary Baker Eddy talks about in Science and Health?
What does it mean to triumph over “matter”, if “matter” doesn’t exist?
Please, don’t take me wrong. I am seriously asking these questions as I would like to understand Christian Science better. Thanks again for your help.
God bless!
Julio
10. levity Says:
May I make a suggestion? These are terrific questions, and if you want a variety of answers, or perhaps just a more thorough answer, you should think about posting on the discussion forums on this website. (Go to the “discussions” tab on the menu across the top, the select “Q&A on Christian Science.”) You’ll have to register as a user before you can post something, but that’s easy to do.
And while I think your best answers to these questions are going to come from your continued study of Science and Health–that book has so much to offer on the question of what matter is (and isn’t) and is really the fullest and most complete statement on Christian Science–here’s what I can say in response to what you’ve asked. In my experience, matter only has the power I give it. Because all it is is a belief–a misconception about God, man, and the nature of existence.
Matter says it can be poisoned by strychnine, so would that be what you’d experience if you took it? Probably. But what if you were absolutely convinced of God’s omnipotence, the supremacy of Spirit’s laws and the nothingness of any so-called material law? What if you knew, without a shred of doubt, the nature of Life as eternal and wholly spiritual. Elisha must have known as much to have saved the men of Gilgal from being poisoned when there was “death in the pot” (see II Kings 4:38-41).
So you see, it’s really all about what you’re believing. Are you getting to know the Allness of God, or are you dwelling on the seeming “somethingness” of matter?
I like Mary Baker Eddy’s explanation where she wrote, “Spirit and its formations are the only realities of being. Matter disappears under the microscope of Spirit” (that’s from S&H p. 264). To me that says that I’m not going to get anywhere by delving into the nature of matter, its supposed properties, actions and reactions, laws, or qualities. But insofar as I understand Spirit, the more I delve into the nature of God, the more I’ll see what is true, and matter and all its attendant miseries, “laws,” limitations, etc. will no longer be the governing factors (or factors at all) in my experience.
I know I only addressed one piece of your question, but I hope this gives you a start in terms of your own thinking and praying. And I hope you’ll post in the discussion forums, too.
11. Julio Says:
Hi levity,
Thank you very much for your answers. You have been really helpful. I’ll post in the discussion forums soon.
Blessings!
Julio
12. George watley Says:
your site has been very helpful thank you
13. David Says:
My Mother was a member of the Christian Science Church, and she died of cancer at a very young age. I would like to know if she was welcomed into heaven or not. She would not use doctors or medicines at all. Only her faith and prayer.
14. levity Says:
David,
I’m sorry to learn of your mother’s passing, but I can assure you that she is absolutely with God–loved and cared for right now. May you feel the peace and love of God in your heart, assuring you of your mother’s well-being and her ongoing life in Spirit.
15. solomon Says:
Alwaws there is change , in physics or metaphysics.Forexample in physics
THE THEORY OF RELATIVITY and in metaphysics the discovery of CHRIST-SCIENCE. We have to get something from these…change ourselves for good.
16. eleanor Says:
Does Christian science believe in Clairvoyancy?
17. Ernie Says:
Eleanor–
As I understand it, Christian Science doesn’t involve clairvoyance. Here’s an explanation from the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy: “All we correctly know of Spirit comes from God, divine Principle, and is learned through Christ and Christian Science. If this Science has been thoroughly learned and properly digested, we can know the truth more accurately than the astronomer can read the stars or calculate an eclipse. This Mind-reading is the opposite of clairvoyance. It is the illumination of the spiritual understanding which demonstrates the capacity of Soul, not of material sense. This Soul-sense comes to the human mind when the latter yields to the divine Mind” (Science and Health, pp. 84–85). And a couple pages later we read “Science enables one to read the human mind, but not as a clairvoyant (Science and Health, p. 87). So, in Christian Science, reading the human mind and foreseeing something are possible, but they’re done through spiritual understanding, not through any material means such as what’s commonly called ESP.
18. rick Says:
Please explain the difference in Jesus as the “Way Shower” which is in most New Age Thought and Jesus as the “Way, the Truth and Light “that no man goes to the Father except thru me which is one of the cornerstones of Christianity
19. Ernie Says:
Rick—
I’m not familiar with a lot of New Age thought, so I can’t comment on that. In Christian Science, though, I see using the term Way-Shower in conjunction with Christ Jesus as showing that we need to live our lives the way Jesus did. I fully acknowledge Jesus’ divine nature, and he certainly showed what God-centered life is all about, but I also realize that I have to live such a life too. Jesus showed the way to do that, so the term Way-Shower seems very natural to me. Jesus said that “whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother” (Matt. 12:50). We have to do God’s will, and Christ Jesus showed the way. To me, this is the way to “go to the Father.”
20. Ed Says:
How does Christian Science justify not vaccinating children
21. levity Says:
Hi Ed,
There’s a lot packed into that question! A couple points to clarify/respond:
First, CS parents love their kids and want the best for them–as one who was raised in a CS family, I can say this unequivocally. And one of the ways my parents expressed their love for me was through their ongoing prayers for my well-being, which I genuinely believe had a huge impact on my childhood: I was a very healthy child, and the few times I did get sick, I was always healed quickly. But more on that in a moment.
Second, please know that there is no policy in Christian Science or any mandate by the Church of Christ, Scientist regarding vaccinations. It’s left up to each family’s discretion, and I’ve known CS kids who haven’t been vaccinated, along with those who have been.
Third, Christian Science is not about just doing what we want to do with no regard for anyone else. The point is to follow Jesus, who loved and cared for everyone. And that’s what Christian Scientists strive to do. For example, I remember a couple times when a lot of kids in my class were sick with the flu or something, my mom was definitely praying for the health and well-being of all of us. And another time, when there was a measles outbreak in my school, my parents complied with the school’s request that I get the MMR vaccination.
But above all, I would leave you with the following idea: that a Christian Scientist’s decision not to have a child vaccinated is not just “doing nothing” or leaving things up to fate or about choosing faith over a child’s well-being. I know my parents made the choice not to have me vaccinated because they’d seen the power of God both to prevent and cure illness–quickly and permanently. They’d seen the effectiveness of Christian Science in their own lives and in mine. No, relying on prayer for healing is not the traditional model, but my parents chose to do so because the results were unmistakeably good. I would imagine that many other Christian Science parents have had similar experiences, and that those experiences have certainly informed their decisions about whether or not to choose vaccinations.
Hope this helps.
22. Ray Says:
In the Bible after Jesus is resurrected he appears to his disciples. If my understanding of this event is correct, Jesus has a “material body” because he can eat etc. Thomas can touch him and so on. However, he can also walk through walls and doors. Is this the type of “spiritual body” all of us will receive at death, and if so, when will we receive it? With that said, I realize that the question of heaven or where we will be arises. Also questions such as will we see our loved ones again and will we be able to recognize them come to mind. How does Christian Science understand this? How does Christian Science understand the afterlife? Thank you for you time.
23. Blog Administrator Says:
Ray—
The comments aren’t the best place for a discussion. You may want to post your questions in the site’s discussion forums. You might also find these articles helpful: “The language of Spirit: burial” and “Christian concepts: resurrection. That last article contains this statement: “Jesus’ resurrection and final ascension were not the beginning of any sort of absence from the companions he loved, but rather it was a new kind of presence with them: the eternal Christ, which turns us away from a limited sense of ourselves—of our human self with its many inadequacies and fears—to a larger recognition of our true selfhood as sons and daughters of God.” To me, what’s important is discovering more and more that we’re immortal right now, without any material component; this immortality strikes me as where we all are and where we’ll be.
24. Sandra McCann Says:
What is the Christian Science diet? Are there any restrictions or certain things they do not eat?
25. Blog Administrator Says:
Sandra–
I think it’s safe to say that there’s no “Christian Science diet.” I also think it’s safe to say, though, that most Christian Scientists don’t drink alcoholic beverages. Some also don’t drink coffee or tea, and still others opt not to drink any caffeinated beverages.
You’ll probably be interested in this video: Why don’t Christian Scientists smoke or drink?
26. Lee Says:
What does Christian Science teach about premortal life? Reference the bible book of Job 38:4-7 where all the Sons of God lived before the world was created.
27. Blog Administrator Says:
Lee–
Quite simply, Christian Science teaches that life is eternal, without beginning or end.
You may be interested in this Q&A: Where was I before now?
28. Jeffrey Says:
I very much believe in Prayer for many reasons including sickness. But didn’t God, our Creator, endow us with intelligence and reason so that we would find those things on Earth that He supplied so that we can cure various sicknesses as well as learn surgical procedures to cure illnesses?
29. Blog Administrator Says:
Jeffrey–
Christian Scientists certainly think intelligence and intelligent behavior are good. While not in any way against conventional medical treatment for anyone who wants it, Christian Scientists generally would say that they find Christian Science treatment, rather than regular medical care, to be the most intelligent way to go. They’d probably also point out that Christ Jesus didn’t use the conventional medical treatment available in his day–not as advanced as today’s but probably still effective in a variety of cases. Instead, Jesus approached everything from a spiritual standpoint and healed from that standpoint. Christian Scientists consider following his example intelligent.
You’ll probably be interested in the perspectives explained in this extended Q&A: Why not have medical treatment?
30. diane Says:
I am a physician and grew up in the Unity religion. I married a Christian Scientist who, while still using many of the CS principles, respects and supports my work as a doctor. We have 3 beautiful young children who we want to to grow up having a relationship with God. My husband feels comfortable in the CS church. My question is can I fit into this religion? Does my work as a physician undermine the principles of CS? I find myself embarassed when we go to church telling people what I do for a living. So much of what CS is about I embrace, but I too feel that I am doing good as a physician. Is this too confusing for our children?
31. Blog Administrator Says:
Diane–
You may want to ask your questions in the discussion forums on this site. You’ll probably get more responses there than you will here.
I can say, though, that there’s no reason for you to feel embarrassed at a Christian Science church. I like this comment Mary Baker Eddy makes: “A genuine Christian Scientist loves Protestant and Catholic, D.D. and M.D.,—loves all who love God, good; and he loves his enemies. It will be found that, instead of opposing, such an individual subserves the interests of both medical faculty and Christianity, and they thrive together, learning that Mind-power is good will towards men. Thus unfolding the true metal in character, the iron in human nature rusts away; honesty and justice characterize the seeker and finder of Christian Science” (The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 4).
32. Mike Says:
I posted query yesterday (26th October) and today it has disappeared without trace.
33. Blog Administrator Says:
Mike–
Sorry, but we received no comment from you on October 26. We did receive your comment of October 25 about the article “Why does Christian Science treatment heal and how does it work? and responded there. Is that what you’re referring to? If you did submit a second comment yesterday, please feel free to resubmit it.
34. Kayla Says:
Do Christian Scientist have a certain dietary belief that you all have to follow? If so what is it ?
35. Blog Administrator Says:
Kayla–
There are no dietary rules, although it’s fair to say that most Christian Scientists stay away from alcoholic beverages and that some don’t drink coffee or tea (or other beverages with caffeine).
36. Andrew Dodd Says:
I’m 14 and desire a relationship with God. My grandmother is a Christian Scientist, and gave me a copy of Science and Health, but I can’t sit down and read through it. How can I focus on studying it?
37. Blog Administrator Says:
Andrew–
An honest heart will take you a long way. One way for a person with such an honest desire to proceed is to sit down and read a page or two or however many are comfortable. Then try to put into practice what you understand. Then go back and read more when it feels right. You don’t have to read the whole Bible or Science and Health in a week.
You might also want to post your questions in the discussion forums at one of our sister sites, tmcyouth.com, which is specifically meant for young people looking to learn more about God.
38. Pauline Says:
Do Christian Scientists support Amnesty for the illegals population in America?
Thank you in advance for your time and consideration.
39. Blog Administrator Says:
Pauline–
I’m sure you’ll find that Christian Scientists have diverse opinions on this as well as other political issues. The Christian Science Church does not take stands on political issues such as this, and, rather than telling Church members how to think, it turns them to prayer to determine what’s nearest right for them.
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