What Christian Science is and isn’t
from the Christian Science Sentinel
Religion is increasingly prominent in the public dialogue. When someone asks about Christian Science, how do you explain it? What are the common misconceptions? How do you respond to them? For answers, we turned to three longtime Christian Scientists. Phil Davis is a Christian Science practitioner and teacher, and currently works as Manager of Committees on Publication for the Church of Christ, Scientist, based in Boston. Elise Moore lives in Nashville, Tennessee, and is also a practitioner and teacher. Jim Bencivenga is a writer, editor, and amateur astronomer who recently retired after many years with The Christian Science Monitor.
Phil Davis: Sometimes you have to answer a large question during an elevator ride, and those two words—Christian and Science—are often where I start. Christian indicates our following of Christ Jesus—following in his footsteps, our devotion to him. We’re students of the Gospels and the entire Bible, but the Gospels are so at the heart of the Bible that we look to them for the life and ministry of Christ Jesus. Science indicates that which can be proved, which is consistent, which points to law at work. When you merge those two words together, you have the life and ministry of Christ Jesus—of discipleship and following him—and putting into practice on a consistent, everyday basis this law of God, of divine Love. God is always present, always Love, Truth, Life. He’s never arbitrary, never distant. God’s laws are always something to be proved, to put into practice.
Christian Science is the divine laws of God that Christ Jesus came to teach us, and to practice.
Elise Moore: My elevator rides are shorter than yours, Phil. I say that Christian Science is the divine laws of God that Christ Jesus came to teach us, and to practice. It’s the divine laws of God, which anyone can learn and demonstrate, and which are supreme over material laws.
Jim Bencivenga: I was not raised in Christian Science, and have two takes on it—there’s the Christian love, and then there’s the truth of Science. As I worked my way through old theology to new theology—to Science—I saw that you can’t separate the cross from Christianity, the vertical axis being the transcendent, the horizontal being the humanistic. But then of course Science never leaves you where you started. It never leaves you anywhere but with God. The whole dualism of religion—the notion that we’re separated from God—evaporates with Christian Science. And, for me, it just meant I’m in the presence of God. That presence is real, spiritual. And it’s healing. Christian Science says you’re whole, you’re one with God, you’re divine, and that is very humbling. Christian Science is my means of understanding my unity with God, and it’s a practical, loving, intelligent unity.
Phil: When you’re talking with people about religion or spirituality, three basic concepts keep coming up: God, prayer, and “us”—who are we? So many people have a concept of God as being arbitrary, that He might not be available. Christian Science reveals the nature of God as being ever-present, perfect, always-available divine Love.
Christian Science brings us back to the Biblical sense that we are God’s dear children.
I remember a taxi cab driver who wanted me to explain Christian Science. I talked with her about prayer. I said, “There’s a concept of God as up in heaven, and when you pray to Him, you try to get Him to adjust things down here on earth.” She quickly agreed, “Yeah, that’s my concept of prayer, of God.” I said, “Or, there’s a concept of prayer in which God, being infinite intelligence, wisdom, and Love, is already doing everything for us. He’s already there for us. But we’re the ones who don’t always do a good job of listening to Him. That’s when we realize, ‘I need to listen to my Father. I need to hear His voice, to feel His allness and greatness.’ ” There was a pause, and then she said, “I never thought of that before.” Some people believe they don’t really deserve God. They feel apart, separated. Christian Science changes that thought, brings us back to the Biblical sense that we are His dear children, that each of us is deserving of His love, and that His kingdom includes us.
Elise: One thing that helps us to understand God is spiritual sense, and that’s what is most needed. The disciples asked Jesus, “Why do you teach the people using parables?” Jesus told them (it’s in Matthew 13:15), “For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.”
In that verse I see a key to what is necessary to understand Christian Science, and the Bible, actually—to understand Jesus’ healings and what he was teaching. It’s the spiritual sense that gets beyond what the physical senses are saying to us, that leads us to understand with our heart. From this understanding then comes healing. It’s not just an intellectual thing. Spiritual means “relating to God,” so spiritual sense is feeling and discerning God and His creation—God’s presence, grace, power, and goodness. Everyone can have this spiritual discernment, intuition, and feeling. It’s something that we can cultivate and develop.
What kills spiritual sense is selfishness and sensuality. If a person really wants to grow spiritually, really wants to understand Christian Science, they need to have that sense of humility, honesty, and unselfishness, and be able to turn away from the physical senses. You can have a great desire to know about God, but if at the same time you’re selfishly wanting to get what you want, and do what you want to do, it’s just not going to work very well.
I’ve always viewed Christian Science as God knowing me, God knowing His creation.
Jim: Building on that, Elise, I’ve always viewed Christian Science as God knowing me, God knowing His creation. What God knows is reality. It’s certainly a principled way of knowing—that’s why it is available to everyone. God knows what’s in my experience, and divine knowing is truly loving, empowering, spiritual. It gives dominion over any material condition, any relationship issue, whatever the challenge may be. Then, the peace that “passeth understanding” is there for us. A traditional Christian perspective is that Jesus is the Son of God, and is God. All kinds of confusions arise out of that view.
Phil: Jesus himself said that he wasn’t God, but the Son of God. This is not about diminishing Jesus, or Christ. Jesus was the only man to deserve and hold that title of Christ, or Saviour, or Master.
Jim: Jesus demonstrated the Christ in a way that no one else has. Yet he didn’t say, “OK, I’ve got it, but you guys will never get it.” Rather, he said, “The Father loves me and the things I’ve done” —referring to his healing works—“and you can do greater things.” So Christ is God’s power always with us. This came as a revelation to Mary Baker Eddy, and we can benefit from that insight. We can listen for the Christ, and we can heal as Jesus did.
Elise: I think the Christian Science confession of faith, if you will, is Matthew 16:16. Jesus asked his disciples who people thought that he was, and they gave various answers. Then he asked them, “Who do you think that I am?” Peter answered: “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” We take this literally—that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. That relationship of Jesus to God, and of us to Jesus and to God, then, is explained in First Timothy 2, which speaks of “God our Saviour; who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (verses 3–5). To me, that puts everything into its proper relationship. There’s one God, and Christ Jesus showed us how we are directly related to God—that we are endowed with divine identity.
Phil: Jesus also said, “The time will come when I will leave you, and I promise you a Comforter that will teach you all things and bring all things to remembrance.” Mary Baker Eddy boldly states in her book Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures that she understands this Comforter to be Divine Science, or Christian Science (see p. 55). There’s a contrast between a promised Comforter and a comforting promise. The latter might be a philosophy, an approach to God, that allows you to get through this world, that gives you some hope, holds your hand as you live in this world. Now, I would never disparage that approach. To me, though, it’s not enough. Because Christian Science is the promised Comforter, that Comforter is here right now, is bringing all things to remembrance, is here to teach us all things. It’s about following the footsteps of Christ Jesus, who did not just get through the world but had an impact on the world. So we are to have an impact, not only on ourselves in living in this world, but on others around us—literally, to help lift them up.
I want God to define my lifestyle. Christian Science is what does that.
There are a lot of self-help groups available today. For some people, that is what helps them. What’s really helped me have a sense of direction in my career, and physically with health problems, is a worship of God that moves me beyond the limitations and the criteria of this world so that, as Paul said, “I’m not conformed to it, but we can actually transform the world around us.” Rather than the approach, “I’m happy with my lifestyle. Help me, God, to get through this world in my lifestyle,” I want God to define my lifestyle. Christian Science is what does that. This God who is divine Mind, the source of all intelligence, direction, guidance, divine authority—when He takes charge and we pray as our Master prayed, “Father, Thy will be done, not mine,” watch out, because amazing things happen.
Jim: I know; I once cut a tree down on myself and was banged up pretty good. I wasn’t a Christian Scientist at that time and went through the medical route with all the things that go into that. Some months afterward, I was dealing with the side effects of medication, including severe breathing difficulties. My wife, who had come into Christian Science as a church soloist, said, “You ought to call so and so,” someone who was the husband of one of my wife’s high-school friends. I was desperate, and I was coming at it from the most elemental level—I wanted to breathe. I didn’t want this pain. I wanted to be healed. So I called him. He was in another city on the other side of the country, and was in the public practice of Christian Science. I didn’t know what the heck that meant then. He simply said, “We’re not getting off the phone till you’re free.” I had an instantaneous healing then and there, complete dominion over my breathing.
Phil: I was overseas a few years ago, conducting several workshops for fellow Christian Scientists. I had put a lot of prayer into it. At the last meeting scheduled, I had just given my introduction when someone nudged me. One of the participants had slumped in his chair. A colleague with me went to his side. She had been for many years a professional Christian Science nurse. (She told me later that, with all her nursing experience, she knew that he had passed on.) My first thought was, “Not on my watch!” All the prayer that had gone into these workshops, into this whole trip—the affirming of one perfect God governing us all, protecting, defending us in our relationship to the Almighty—was intact and effective, and I was not going to accept this picture. I wasn’t the only one praying. Within a couple of minutes, he revived and was taken away to another location, walking on his own. He came back to the meeting about an hour later, completely restored. Christian Science teaches us to go right back to the Gospels, right back to Jesus’ teaching, and not to accept death as irreversible.
Elise: I was raised in a Christian Science family, and the first healing that I remember is very vivid for me. I was six years old and had gotten a bike for my birthday, and I was out riding my bike in the street. I got between a rock and a curb and fell, and apparently knocked myself out on the pavement. The next thing I remembered was my dad carrying me into the house. I was crying, and all the neighbors were out asking if I was all right. My dad said that I’d be fine. I was bleeding all over his shirt, having almost bitten through my lower lip. Dad took me into their bedroom and put me down on the bed. There was no panic, just a great sense of peace and confidence in God’s healing presence. One of them began reading to me from the Bible and from Science and Health, and the other one sat silently beside me praying. After a little while, I stopped crying and settled down to listen to what was being read about God, and about my relation to Him. Soon, I fell asleep. When I woke up a little later, I was healed. My lip had completely knit together. But beyond the physical change, there was this deep sense of peace and of the presence of divine Love, and that’s what I remember most.
In Christian Science, it’s salvation through God’s grace and through works.
Phil: On the “what Christian Science is not” side, one basic misconception is that it isn’t Christian. In talking with other Christians, I explain that there are a lot of Christian principles that we agree on—the Virgin birth, the crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension of Christ Jesus. Also, I’ve heard it incorrectly said that Christian Science teaches salvation through works alone, instead of through grace. In Christian Science, it’s salvation through God’s grace and through works. It’s God’s authority, His power, His love for us that saves us, that’s responsible for our ability to grow spiritually, to heal others, to work out our salvation. But we need to do our part.
Mrs. Eddy said, “Who would stand before a blackboard, and pray the principle of mathematics to solve the problem?”
(Science and Health, p. 3).
Elise: I’m so glad you brought out that point about salvation, Phil, because the Greek word for save, sozo, also translates equally well as heal. So in the Bible, salvation and healing come from the same root word. When we talk about healing, we’re actually talking about salvation, about that full salvation from fear, poverty, sickness, sin, death, sorrow.
Jim: There’s also the misconception, “You’re not doing anything,” when a Christian Scientist is hurt or sick and he or she turns to prayer. I’ve always tried to say quietly but firmly, “Oh, Christian Scientists do a lot.” And they’re doing it each moment—affirming God’s presence and His allness; denying the error (the injury or illness) that appears to be there; relying on truths revealed in the Bible and in Science and Health; and therefore, knowing there’s nothing to be afraid of. It’s a proactive “something” that we do.
Elise: I tell patients that healing is really all about God, what God is doing. God is loving, caring, protecting, healing—is saving. So, what do we do? God is all-powerful, all-present, and we are simply knowing what God is doing.
Phil: Science and Health says: “The ‘man of sorrows’ best understood the nothingness of material life and intelligence and the mighty actuality of all-inclusive God, good. These were the two cardinal points of Mind-healing, or Christian Science, which armed him with Love” (p. 52). It’s a bold statement. Accepting the all-inclusive God is one thing, but that necessarily means accepting “the nothingness of material life and intelligence.” The logic becomes inescapable, and these are “the two cardinal points of Mind-healing.” This is something I feel that we should not be apologetic for in Christian Science, because understanding these points is what heals.
Jim: And the revelation of these ideas came through someone. They didn’t just drop out of the sky. As I’ve yielded to the thoughts expressed in Mary Baker Eddy’s books—that she was inspired by the Bible, that healing proves the truth of what was revealed to her—I find that’s critical in dealing with someone who says, “Well, you guys are a cult,” or “You think she’s God.” I say, “No. We start with the Bible, and Mary Baker Eddy has given us a key that unlocks it.” She discerned the unseen reality of God’s kingdom, here and now. I am a Christian Scientist in order to see and live that reality.
The demand is that we put Jesus’ teachings, and what he demonstrated, into practice in our lives.
Elise: Jesus began his ministry by preaching, “Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt. 4:17). Repent means to change your mind—from the material to the spiritual view. It takes spiritual sense to discern that, indeed, the kingdom of heaven is here right now. I think that misconceptions about Christian Science boil down to the fact that relying on God is scary for some people. We can talk about the theology of it, or try to see it from the medical perspective, but if you haven’t yet cultivated the spiritual sense to actually feel your direct relationship to God, and to feel God’s presence and peace, then His care and help can seem apart from your own experience. Christian Science demands something from us as disciples of Christ. It’s not enough just to say that we believe that Jesus was the Son of God, and to accept Jesus’ mission and purpose on earth. The demand is that we put Jesus’ teachings, and what he demonstrated, into practice in our lives.
Phil: That’s such a great point, Elise. It leads toward our concept of Church, too, because the demand of Christian Science is the demand that Jesus put on all of his followers. Our church is a laity, a system of democracy, each of us as equals without a hierarchy. But it’s not a laity of parishioners; it’s a laity of disciples. The only position that Jesus ever established in his church was that of disciple. It can seem like a scary proposition to take up that challenge, but that’s where we find the Comforter, and its comfort.
Elise: There’s a verse in John 14 where Jesus tells his followers: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (verse 27). To me, Jesus is saying, “Don’t be scared by the demand to be Godlike, by the demand to practice the spiritual Christ, Truth, in your own life.” Christian Science isn’t “How to succeed in business, or in life, without really trying,” because it isn’t all about “me”—what I think I should have. The focus of Christian Science is on God—learning what God is, and what God does. This harmonizes the human condition.
Comments:
1. Cassie Coston Says:
Thank you for the excellent job you’re doing with this website. God’s love and healing power shines through beautifully in this work.
2. Kate Gibson Oswald Says:
I love the openness and directness on this page. The light of honesty and love of God leaves me with a longing to cultivate my own spiritual sense further! Thank you.
3. Maitri Ratanasene Says:
Thank you so much! I am so excited to be able to refer people to this wonderful site that explains basic points of Christian Science. The testimonies of Christian Scientists who, like myself, have been turned little by little toward God and away from all unlike Him, and how this “divine adventure” has enriched us are right on time!
4. Richard Casale Says:
Whether we are coming into Christian Science,or life long
students,this web site lifts us higher in understanding
and compels us to demonstrate the Truth.
5. Edith M Sorrell Says:
Due to a clearer perception and understanding of God’s laws, which has been afforded to me via this website, I give thanks. This understanding which appears as clarity is allowing me to see how I can, more fully, practice the presence of God at work and in my personal life.
6. Damon Brown Says:
Excellent facts about Christian Science. Give praise to the Infinite Mind!
7. Joan Wattam Says:
This website enables all sincere spiritual seekers to find for themseves the truth about what Christian Science is. It involves the willingness to be open and receptive to new ideas, and to weigh any preconceived ideas one may have, both with statements given here, and also in the light of the Scriptures. To me, it is like being set free from any nets that may hold us back and limit our understanding. It is our willingness to, as Christ Jesus said, leave our nets and follow the Christ; to ‘come and see’ and be free to think for ourselves what it means to be a disciple of Christ Jesus in the world today.
8. Ted Goas Says:
i read this in your FAQ page (http://www.christianscience.com/questions-christian-science-faq.html)
How is that science at all? Perhaps ‘Christian Spiritual Principles’ would be more accurate?
9. Fred Says:
One dictionary defines science as “a branch of knowledge or study dealing with a body of facts or truths systematically arranged and showing the operation of general laws.” That’s what Christian Science is. It deals with systematic facts or truths and shows the operation of general laws. Another dictionary defines it as “the observation, identification, description, experimental investigation, and theoretical explanation of phenomena.” That too is what Christian Science is all about: observing, describing, and explaining phenomena from a Christian, spiritual basis.
Maybe you’d be interested in reading this article: What is scientific religion?
10. Angela Says:
An important part of the second definition, though, is experimental investigation. Does Christian Science, then, experiment on people?
I never heard of Christian Science before I read this article, so please bear with me.
11. Fred Says:
Christian Scientists don’t experiment on people in the sense that one group of people is given Christian Science treatment and another isn’t, and then you compare the results. But Christian Scientists do discover what works. If I’m praying to be healed of a cold, for instance, and no healing occurs, I’ll try to determine why that’s the case. I’ll try to see where my application of Christian Science is faulty. I’ll try to understand and love God even more. When I get it all right, I’m healed. When I properly understand and apply the precepts of Christian Science, the results are predictable, just like the results in any science when its precepts are properly understood and applied. And I can learn what I didn’t initially do right this time and try to make sure I do initially get right next time so healing is even quicker. So in that sense I experimented: I had a problem, I tried a solution, I didn’t get the proper results, so I examined things again, determined and corrected what was wrong, and then got the right, scientific results.
12. Lauren Says:
ive been born and raised as a baptist and read about christian science in a book. ive since searched online to further educate myself in finding out exactly what it means. after reading all this and actually bringing myself to try having a more open relationship with God i realize that thats what all christians should do, believe in the true power of prayer. ive always had a relationship with God but just in realizing Gods true strength i feel myself becomming the type of christian He would have me to be and im truly thankful for this reminder that we need to talk to God daily and never doubt the power of his miracles.
13. Glenn Eugene Lego Says:
I became an Assembly of God member when I was 26 having had no religious upbringing at all Our pastor at the time would comment on Christian Science thus: Chriistian Science is like Grape Nuts Neither Grape nor Nuts (Neither Christian nor Science). Also what does Christian Science differ from “Word Faith” theology as practiced by so many TV evangelists. I understand that E.W. Kenyon who many historians believe to be the “Father” of this type of “Christianity” copied from Mary Baker Eddy and adapted it to his own theology.
14. Blog Administrator Says:
Glenn—
I don’t know enough about “Word Faith” theology to comment about its similarities to and differences from Christian Science. But you’ve come to the right place to find out about Christian Science, so you can compare it yourself to Word Faith theology. The resources in the About Christian Science part of this site are a good place to start. You’ll find links to other articles like this one as well as an FAQ section, a brief description of core beliefs, and more. You might want to check out the discussion forums too.
15. Nicky Says:
Whats the difference between between normal christianity and scientific Christianity?
16. Ernie Says:
Nicky—
Different people may answer your question differently based on what they think “normal Christianity” is. To me, there really is no difference between normal Christianity and scientific Christianity, because to me Christianity has to include regular, systematic healing of the sick through spiritual means (and solving other problems this way too). After all, it’s what Christ Jesus did, taught his disciples to do, and called on his followers to do. It proves what’s spiritually true; it proves what God is; it proves that sin, sickness, and death aren’t the realities they appear to be; it leads to salvation. Scientific Christianity is built on and explains the spiritual laws that make such healing and problem-solving possible anywhere, anytime, by anyone.
You might want to take a look at this article: What is scientific religion?
17. Ray Says:
I have been attending a church for 20 years, and am no happier about Christianity or religion now than when I started to attend it. I have also studied the beliefs of other religions to include the beliefs of numerous Christian denominations, but Christian Science was not one of them, although I realize it is not really a “denomination” as such. So, I figured why not give Christian Science a try. So, I checked “Healing Spiritually Renewing your life through the power of God’s law” out of the library and started reading it on March 18, 2009. I hope to get something out of it. It may be my last stop before I give up on Christianity completely as being no more than utter nonsense - yet another religion invented by people. At 70 years old, why not?
18. Ray Says:
Let me add to my previous comment that in my opinion no religion is worth anything unless it produces a better, nicer person. I have seen many people take up religion (Christianity for the most part), and in most cases I have not seen anything close to a nicer person as the end product. That is to say, that I have seen people who were very sweet and pleasant, and after they became “believers” they turned into very unpleasant personalities, in all too many cases. I have also seen some really nasty disposition people embrace Christian beliefs of various types, and become even nastier. Any religion is false and worthless unless it produces a kinder etc. person. If Christian Science does that, more power to those who embrace and practice its beliefs.
19. Ray Says:
Finally, I think my main question to the practicioner of any religion is: How is your religion superior to any other, and does it produce good people who are moral, kind, gentle and understanding etc. etc. etc.? So far, most religions have produced nothing but endless wars and calamities. In closing, I have to ask this question: If God is so good, the why does’nt He make it rain in places like Darfur so the people there can have lots of food and water? Why does’nt He protect them from the evil people who prey on women, children, and old people? What have little children done to earn God’s wrath? Can Christian Science resolve that?
20. Blog Administrator Says:
Ray–
Christian Science is built on the fact that God is Love.
You may find these articles interesting: “Where does evil come from?,” “Since God exists, what about evil?,” and “God is not in the earthquake.”
21. Steven Says:
Ray-
You have some deep questions. i am not a Christian scientist but i do know that the things you talk of are4 not Gods fault. We have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and sin and free choice have created these things not God. God doesn’t stop it because we have free choice, it is a gift from him and some people choose to abuse it by doing these things that you speak of.
22. Nicky Says:
if someone wants to leave your church or decides to go to another religion what do you say to them?
23. Sally Says:
How many people are there around the world who are Christian scientists?
24. Blog Administrator Says:
Ray–
As Steven says in comment 21, he’s not a Christian Scientist. The articles I mentioned in my previous comment will give you a perspective based on Christian Science.
25. Blog Administrator Says:
Sally–
The Christian Science Church has never published membership figures. This goes back to the days when the Church was growing rapidly, and Church founder Mary Baker Eddy stipulated that the number of members not be published. If you look in the About the Church section of this site, however, you’ll see that there are around 1,800 branch churches in about 80 countries around the world. And it appears that many people who aren’t members study and practice Christian Science.
26. Ernie Says:
Nicky—
In response to your question in comment 22, I can speak only for myself, but I’d wish the person all the best, make sure it was clear we were still friends, and note that the person would always be welcome. I think other Christian Scientists would say something similar. Nothing “official” is said, and I certainly wouldn’t say anything to try to stop the person, although if I thought any misconception about Christian Science was motivating the departure I’d probably try to clear that up just so the person wouldn’t go away with a misconception.
27. Ray Says:
Blog Adminstrator:
Thanks for your kind forbearance in the light of my comments. Probably what I really need to do in order to give Christian Science a fair chance in my life is to read Mary Baker Eddy’s “Science and Health, with Key To The Scriptures.” Thanks also for recommending those articles. I liked Bruce Fitzwater’s “God is not in the earthquake.” I have never looked at the Bible Story of Elijah that way before. It does make sense. Of course you are right that God is Love. To imply as I did (however slightly) that He is also the author of evil is wrong thinking on my part. Thanks again. (March 20, 2009)
28. Sally Says:
Do you use the bible more than the Science and health with key to the scriptures? which one do you consider to be right?
29. Rose Says:
I read a book about your religion and it said that you believe that Jesus was alive when they took him off the cross and he was just hiding in the tomb. is that really what you believe? It also says that you believe it was unneccesary for Jesus to die on the cross. Why? and it says you belive that heaven and hell are not real, they are just a state of mind. do you believe that also?
30. Ernie Says:
Sally—
I think some Christian Scientists find themselves turning to the Bible more often and some to Science and Health more often, but I also think it’s fair to say that most are like me and use both about the same. For instance, the Bible Lesson that many Christian Scientists study is comprised of passages from both books. Christian Scientists consider both books to be right; nothing in Science and Health contradicts the inspired Word of the Bible. And the first tenet of Christian Science makes it clear how important the Bible is: “As adherents of Truth, we take the inspired Word of the Bible as our sufficient guide to eternal Life.”
31. Ernie Says:
Rose—
Just some quick answers here from my understanding of Christian Science. No, Christian Scientists don’t think Jesus was “just hiding in the tomb.” However, because Christian Scientists believe in eternal life, they don’t believe Jesus was really dead, just as they don’t think anyone who has passed away is really dead even though the physical body is no longer alive. I’m not sure exactly what you mean in your question about the crucifixion being necessary. Jesus had the spiritual understanding to avoid the crucifixion, but he went through it to benefit all mankind by proving that death is not the reality it appears to be and can be overcome. Finally, Christian Scientists don’t believe that heaven and hell are locations, places one ends up after death. You can find a fuller answer here, near the bottom of the page in the site’s FAQ section.
32. Rose Says:
what do you mean when you say that heaven and hell are a state of mind not a physical place?
33. Ernie Says:
Rose–
I don’t think there’s some physical place called hell where there are lots of flames and where people are tormented for all eternity because they’ve done bad things. I think anytime we entertain evil thoughts–concepts that aren’t in line with God–we’ve created our own hell because we have, at least in our own thought, separated ourselves from God, and then we’re liable to experience things that aren’t good. Likewise, I don’t think heaven is some location up in the clouds behind some pearly gates where people with wings just relax forever. Instead, I think heaven is aligning our thoughts and actions with God, which allows us to experience His goodness here and now–in having sickness healed, for instance. I think all this is in line with Christ Jesus’ statement, “The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:20, 21).
The comments section aren’t the best place for an ongoing discussion. You may want to ask your questions in the site’s discussion forums.
34. Daniel Says:
I think God is Love as well. However, life can be full of discord due to material events such as a deep recession. My question is how de I get myself and others I associate with back to expressing harmony and divine order. One more thing, I have read Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy about 3 times in my life.
35. Blog Administrator Says:
Daniel–
You’ve read Science and Health, so you may be familiar with Mary Baker Eddy’s statement “To gain Christian Science and its harmony, life should be more metaphysically regarded” (Science and Health, p. 65). That’s what has to be done, but each person, with God’s help, will discover his or her own best way of doing it; there’s no formula. Dozens of resources on this site show how various people have done it. You mentioned the recession, so to see how people have regarded the economy and finances more metaphysically, you may be interested in these: “Let Christ calm the economic waters,” “How to ‘live in the Spirit,’” “No losers in the divine economy,” and “Stilling the economic storm.”
36. James Says:
How is it that “Christian” Scientist defined salvation as “Life, Truth, and Love understood and demonstrated as supreme over all; sin, sickness and death destroyed” (Science and Health, 593:20-22). However Christ (who IS the supreme authority Hebrews 1:1-4) stated that in John 6:16 & 39 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth on him shall have eternal life…This is the will of Him who sent Me that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day.” Now anything other than this is blasphemy (I’m sorry if I offend anyone but the truth will set you free) and it is this which Christian Scientist have wrong. Quite frankly Christian Scientist, Mormons, Jehovah Witness, and other religions who say that they are Christian are NOT and should reframe from calling them self so, why? Because non of these religions line up the fundamental beliefs that true Christians (Methodists, Baptist, Episcopalians, Lutheran, church of Christ/God, Pentecostal ect) The list below defines fundamental beliefs of Christianity. A person who rejects the fundamental beliefs of Christianity is not a Christian.
1 We believe in the Apostolic Testimony that Jesus from Nazareth is the promised Messiah of Jews, of whom it was prophesized in the sacred books of the Old Testament. Therefore, we call this promised Messiah as Jesus Christ.
2 We believe in the Apostolic Testimony that Jesus Christ was God in human flesh, the perfect God and the perfect man, who walked among us in Israel 2000 years ago.
3 We believe in the Apostolic Teaching that there is only one God who is revealed as a triune Personal God, eternally manifested in three Holy Persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. All three Persons of God’s Being have the same divine and eternal nature.
4 We believe in the Apostolic Testimony that Jesus Christ is the unique son of God , being the second Holy Person of Godhead, who is eternal and share the same divine nature as the Father.
5 We believe in the Apostolic Testimony that Jesus Christ was born as a human being through the virgin birth.
6 We believe in the Apostolic Testimony that Jesus Christ physically died at the Cross of Golgotha. We recognize His death as the Atoning Sacrifice for Mankind’s sins. Only His pure sinless blood can have the power to clean us from all our sins. This atoning power of Christ’s blood is only effective for those who are in Christ.
7 We believe in the Apostolic Testimony that Jesus Christ bodily resurrected from death.
8 We believe in the Apostolic Testimony that Jesus Christ ascended to heaven, and is now in Heaven.
9 The Church is the Living Body of all genuine followers of Christ. All followers of Christ are children of God, and as such they are in Christ. All children of God have the Holy Spirit in their lives. To be in Christ is to submit to Christ’s Teaching. Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church. Jesus Christ is our Lord.
10 We believe that in the future there will be a glorious event of Christ’s Return for His Church.
11 Our only authority is the 66 sacred books of the Bible. The Bible is the necessary and sufficient authority of the Church. Therefore, the Bible is the Supreme Authority for the Church.
12 The sacred books of the Bible were inspired by God, written by Prophets and Apostles. Therefore, the Bible is the infallible authority for the Church.
13 Our only tradition is the tradition of the Apostolic Teaching and Practice, and we do not recognize other traditions as our authority. Apostle Paul admonished to all followers of Christ: “Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle (2Th 2:15).”
14 The Bible is a closed canon of holy books. The Bible is our necessary and sufficient supreme authority in our lives.
15 A person becomes a child of God by believing in the necessity of Christ’s Atoning Sacrifice for her sins, and by believing that Jesus Christ bodily resurrected from the death, and by acknowledging her sins, and by asking God for forgiveness, and by repenting from sins. Such person becomes reconciled with God through Jesus Christ.
16 There is Heaven and there is Hell. Anyone who is in Christ will have an everlasting life and have an inheritance in the Kingdom of God. Anyone who is not in Christ will end in Hell.
17 It is not the Church who saves, but it is Jesus Christ. But a genuine follower of Christ would long for a fellowship with people who belongs to God, because all followers of Christ are true brothers and sisters in the Kingdom of God.
37. Ernie Says:
James—
This site isn’t the place for debate about what’s Christian or who is Christian or about what or who isn’t. Certainly the centuries since Christ Jesus lived have shown that his words, like all the others in the Bible, can be variously interpreted. Speaking just for myself, I don’t see that accepting a list of doctrinal statements is sufficient to make someone a Christian. You probably don’t either. You probably agree that it’s living one’s Christian beliefs that is important and that makes someone a Christian. Again speaking only for myself, I think this is where the Christianity of Christian Science and Christian Scientists shines brilliantly. I’m not aware of any other group of people since biblical days who, using spiritual means alone the way Jesus and his disciples did, have healed themselves and others with the consistency and reliability that Christian Scientists have using Christian Science. To me, that record demonstrates the Christianity of Christian Science and Christian Scientists.
38. Talina Says:
You claim in your faq that you read and believe the bible. GOD has put his divine words in the bible clearly stating that he has prepared for us a place in heaven.
If you don’t believe that heaven is a physical space that God has prepared for his children. Then where do you believe your spirit goes after physical death? You keep refering people to the faq page, that does NOT explain anything ABOUT WHAT YOU believe, only THAT WHICH YOU don\’t believe. After researching all your materials I can only surmise that ,You don\’t believe.
In response to your statement about Christian Scientist record of healing demonstrates your Christianity. The bible says.
For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect–if that were possible. Matthew 24:24
I pray for all of you that eventually your searching brings you to the truth.
I am not acusing anyone of being false prophets, I merely stating that your argument is not a sound one according to biblical teachings. That alone does not difine Christianity. Christ said there is one way and one way only.
The devil and his legion believe in Jesus, but that does not save them. You not only have to believe but also repent and accept that Christ died for all mans sin. I don’t think not believing in heaven will keep someone from GOD if they truely love Christ and accept him as their saviour, and repent. A description of repentance in the New Testament can be found in the parable of the prodigal son found in the Gospel of Luke (15 beginning at verse 11).
In the New Testament, the word translated as ‘repentance’ is the Greek word ???????? (metanoia).Metanoia is primarily an after-thought, different from the former thought; a change of mind accompanied by regret and change of conduct, “change of mind and heart”, or, “change of consciousness”.
The most frequently used Hebrew word for heaven in the OT is samayim, signifying \”heaved up things\” or \”the heights.\” In the Greek NT it is ouranos, which denotes \”sky\”, or \”air.\” These words refer to the atmosphere just above the earth (Gen. 1:20, etc.); to the firmament in which the sun and moon and stars are located (Gen. 1:17, etc.); to God’s abode (Ps. 2:4, etc.); to the abode of the angels (Matt. 22:30)
The new testament refers to 3 different levels of heaven, modern words would translate that the 3rd heaven is the universe or outerspace.
The upper air where the birds fly
Mt 8:20 24:30
The region in which the stars reside
Ac 7:42 Heb 11:12
The abode of Christ’s human nature, the scene of the special manifestation of divine glory, and of the eternal blessedness of the saints.
Heb 9:24 1Pe 3:22
Sometimes called the “third heaven.”
2Co 12:2
I didnt put these scriptures for argument I don’t wish to debate with you. But I would like an answer to the question. If you don’t believe in heaven as a physical place that GOD has prepared for you, then where do you think your, spirit goes after physical death?
Thanks
39. Liz Says:
I wasn’t raised with any religious beliefs, due to a conflict between my parents families, however, my upbringing was based on the Golden Rule, do unto others as you would have done unto you. It a good philosophy and I think I turned out fine. I have pursued by own education regarding God and Christ. I have experienced the traditional Christian teachings and a dear friend of mine from my childhood also gave me a copy of Science and Health, he was raised in Christian Science. I think the reason most people that have been taught traditional Christianity have a hard time understanding Christian Science is the fact that they cannot relate to the metaphysical aspect. They have been so settled in their human selves that they don’t understand that the human part is simply their “temple”. At least that is the way I am beginning to understand it. I do not understand it all and I have a long way to go Bbt this article has helped considerably, thank you all.
40. Ernie Says:
Talina (#38)—
As you say, there’s no desire for debate, and the comments section doesn’t led itself to extended theological discussion. Let me just say that the centuries show that any number of Bible verses, including ones about heaven, can be interpreted various ways. In the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, heaven is defined in part as “the reign of Spirit.” It seems to me that something that’s spiritual isn’t physical or material, the spiritual and physical being opposites. Does something spiritual need someplace physical to live? To me, the answer would seem to be no.
I think Christian Scientists in general would agree with you that a change of consciousness is needed—a change from a material, physical, or mortal way of looking at things to a spiritual way. It’s this change that heals. And as for the importance of spiritual healing, the Bible notes that when John the Baptist asked Jesus if he was the Messiah, Jesus didn’t rattle off doctrine or dogma; instead, he pointed to his healing work.
Where does our spirit go after death? Christian Science teaches that our actual spiritual identity is never confined in a material body; it’s at one with God—in heaven, so to speak—right now. Changing our consciousness from material to spiritual viewpoints allows us to understand this now. So our spiritual identity never goes anywhere, no matter what the apparent physical circumstances; it’s always with God.
You might also want to look at comment #33 above, which talks about heaven and hell.
I hope that helps.
41. shirl Says:
I was lucky enough to find a Christian Science husband and we were part of a C.S. church for many years.
I am of United Church background (Canadian) and have a question.
Churches often feel that people in need in countries where the individual has little power need to feel they have rights to food and clothing and safe lodging and that trying to “spiritualize” those needy people first requires help in material ways.
What would a Christian Scientist say to this, Would they agree?
42. Blog Administrator Says:
Shirl–
You may want to ask your question in the discussion forums on this site. You’ll probably get more responses there than you will here.
Speaking for myself, I’d say a more spiritual view of the people and their situation goes hand in hand with helping them in material ways. Spiritual perspectives produce results, sometimes in ways that look pretty normal and sometimes in ways that appear very surprising.
43. edal Says:
This website is a little ambiguous, i don’t understand what christian science is.
44. Blog Administrator Says:
Edal–
Look around the Questions section a little more, perhaps the About Christian Science part, the FAQ, and Core beliefs. The more you look, the more you’ll understand about Christian Science. Basically it’s a set of spiritual principles based on the nature of God and His creation as explained in the Bible, particularly Christ Jesus’ teachings and healing work. These principles can be applied today just as in biblical days with the same reliable healing results.
45. David Robert Says:
This page on what Christian Science is and isn’t has really helped me under stand this faith—I’ve looked into it on and off for years and have decided now to commit myself fully to it in study and following it.The truth is,is that what people call mainstream christianity of which I was a part of for almost 40 yrs, has brought me no joy or peace. Christian Science,to me at least,reinforces the belief that first and foremost we are spirit and the product of God’s love.
I think the mistake some of the contributors above have made is to expect that Christian Science is,and should be, in line with mainstream christianity. Thankfully it is not and that’s what makes it special.I can’t stress enough that point.
46. nunya Says:
I am sorry for what i am about to say for the christian science religion, but I know my god will forgive me simply because I believe in him and only him.
I have experienced the two sided back stabbing double lives the Christian Science people live . I was married to one of the members of your cult. It’s all about status and control and immitation of christ. You cannot do that. There is only one Christ. Jesus Christ would not teach his children to lie to hide things and be sneeky about it. He would not teach his children to be decievers to each other. I knew several people ( some of them family members ) who passed at a relitively young age and leaving their children motherless and fatherless when trying to immitate the power of healing that only Jesus Christ can perform. MY heart is broken at times when I catch my son ( who is being raised christian science by his mother and stepfather ) in a lie or not telling the whole truth to me. I love him more than anything and this type of behavior is very painfull to me. I feel that I am letting him down by letting this continue only because where can a bio father get custody of his child do to religious beliefs. The principia school system and his mother and stepfather are letting him fall through the cracks. You don’t kick your child out of the nest and say fly or die oh … but if your CS you obviuosly do. My sons mother doesn’t even have a clue what my son is doing , what is going on in his life or who he even is. All she does is order him around and cotrols him in every way. He is brain washed and scared to death of them. So with their display of how the CS cult lives, I cannot show them any respect. So Sorry.
47. Blog Administrator Says:
Nunya—
I don’t know anything about the particular case you mention and can’t speak for every Christian Scientist, but for over 100 years Christian Scientists by and large have shown themselves to be kind, loving, and effective parents. For just one illustration, take a look at this video. And any number of articles and testimonies on this site show that the Christ heals today just as it did 2,000 years ago. They also show that Christian Science isn’t a cult; there’s no brainwashing, no mind control, no worshiping of personality. Instead, people are finding out more about God and His love, and this heals.
48. David Robert Says:
To Nunya and all others who have criticism for Christian Science and any other Christian faith for that matter, you can’t blame the religion for the bad behaviour of those who claim to be a member of that faith. Sadly,many people do bad things in the name of religion or while claiming to be Christian. Lying,cheating,stealing, and other sins are unacceptable to those who claim to be Christian Scientists just as it is to others who are Baptists,Episcopals,Pentecostals,Methodists,Lutherans,Presbyterians,etc.
49. corey Says:
I dont believe the christian science is christian or science. I would like to see your religion come to a complete end 100% the sooner the better and i mean that with all my heart and soul.
50. Nancy Says:
Have any of you ever encountered someone who seeks healing of a fictitious malady? How would you respond to such a person?
51. Blog Administrator Says:
Corey (#49)–
You can believe what you like, of course. The simple fact is that Christian Science has benefited countless people–even has saved the lives of many–as can be seen in the testimonies and many of the articles on this site. Those who have been helped so much by Christian Science certainly don’t want to see it end, and probably a lot of people, seeing the good Christian Science has done for others, wouldn’t want to see it go away even if they don’t want to use it themselves.
Your two other comments about wanting to see Christian Science end will not be posted.
52. Ernie Says:
Nancy (#50)—
I’ve never had to deal with someone with a “fictitious malady,” as you put it. Generally speaking, though, I think Christian Scientists would handle such a problem the same way they handle one that people would say isn’t fictitious. The reason is that to a Christian Scientist any disease is really fictitious; it’s not part of God’s reality, so we can get beyond it to what’s actually real: life and health.
Here’s a paragraph from the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures (p. 177), in which the author, Mary Baker Eddy, notes what she found from her own practice of Christian Science: “Human mind produces what is termed organic disease as certainly as it produces hysteria, and it must relinquish all its errors, sicknesses, and sins. I have demonstrated this beyond all cavil. The evidence of divine Mind’s healing power and absolute control is to me as certain as the evidence of my own existence.”
53. Nancy Says:
Ernie. Thank you for that response. That certainly makes sense given what I have read so far. Can I ask you to take it one further? How would you handle a situation in which someone exploited your beliefs in a dangerous way. For instance, it seems like a disorder like Munchousen’s by Proxy (a psychiatric disorder in which an attention seeking parent -usually a mother, seeks treatment for a child’s fictitious illness), could be difficult to detect and handle in the context of the Christian Science belief system.
By way of explanation, I am a clinical health psychologist and am intrigued by the intersection of health care and personal/religious beliefs.
Thank you again for your response.
54. Ernie Says:
Nancy—
I’ve never heard of the disorder you mention. My comment here isn’t at all meant to be definitive; it’s just what’s come to me as an individual Christian Scientist.
First, those who practice Christian Science get pretty good at discerning what the real problem is. They do this by turning to God, the one divine Mind, rather than by digging into a human mind. When you focus on God, on what’s true, whatever isn’t true really sticks out, sort of the way 2 + 2 = 5 really sticks out to anyone who understands arithmetic. This enables the person to deal with the problem rather than with something else parading as the problem.
Also, because of the example you mention, I’m reminded of the biblical account of Christ Jesus healing a person who was born blind (see John 9). His disciples asked him if the man or his parents had sinned to cause this blindness. Jesus’ response was that neither had, but “that the works of God should be made manifest in him.” And he healed the man’s blindness. It didn’t matter whether the “cause” was the parent or the man. The problem was cured by understanding that God’s goodness has to be experienced, has to be manifested.
Hope that helps.
55. mickey Says:
Hi ,I dont understand christian science standpoint on hell as you believe there is no such place, if you are followers of the bible,it clearly states that there is a hell,and every sinner,who has not repented and accepted Jesus christ as there lord and saviour will end up thereThe bible clearly states this,in Black and white.
Jesus even reminds us of this fact ,and speaks of it numerous times,thruout the new testament.
56. Blog Administrator Says:
Mickey—
If you look at the site’s FAQ, you’ll see that Christian Scientists consider hell a state of thought rather than a physical location. Christ Jesus and the Bible as a whole often teach by symbols. For instance, Jesus once referred to his disciple Peter as Satan. I don’t think he meant that Peter had suddenly turned into a physical devil, the way Satan is often depicted. As Jesus went on to say, “… thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men” (Matt. 16:23). It seems pretty clear that he was referring to the way Peter was thinking, momentarily rejecting the Christ and God’s ways and means. So considering hell as a state of thought rather than a physical place really isn’t a stretch at all.
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