Frequently Asked Questions about Mary Baker Eddy

Who is Mary Baker Eddy?

Mary Baker Eddy (1821–1910) discovered the biblically based system of healing through prayer known as Christian Science, and established The Church of Christ, Scientist, to preserve and extend it. A native of New Hampshire, she overcame both personal challenges and the prejudices of her time to become an influential author, healer, and religious leader. Her achievements include establishing a religious movement, starting numerous publications—an international newspaper among them—and writing a groundbreaking textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, that has brought inspiration and healing to millions of people around the world. The Mary Baker Eddy Library, located in Boston, provides public access to her extensive writings and historic documents. To learn more about her, visit the Library’s website at www.marybakereddylibrary.org.

What were the major influences in Eddy’s life?

Without a doubt, the Bible was the most significant influence in Mrs. Eddy’s life. She was a devoted student of the Scriptures from early childhood and gradually gained the conviction that spiritual healing was not limited to biblical times but could be practiced as effectively today. Chronically ill, she also investigated the medical systems of her time and gained insights into the mental factors of health from her study of homeopathy. For a time, her health improved under the care of Phineas P. Quimby, a self-taught healer in Maine who combined mental suggestion or hypnosis with what today might be called therapeutic touch. The improvement was not permanent, however, and she moved beyond his methods after his death in 1866. Convinced that genuine healing was rooted in God, not the human mind, she experienced a profound spiritual healing at age 44 as she read an account of Jesus’ healings. She spent the next three years of her life researching the Bible to understand how she had been healed and applying what she was learning to healing others through a system she eventually called Christian Science. She later wrote and published a textbook that is so closely tied to the Bible that she called it Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.

Is it true that Mary Baker Eddy stole her ideas about Christian Science from Phineas Quimby?

No. Christian Science is based on the Bible, as Mary Baker Eddy found Jesus’ teachings to be fundamental to her theology. It is true that she also experimented with hydropathy, homeopathy, as well as other healing methods—practiced by Phineas Quimby and others—during the mid-1800s. However, Christian Science is a complete departure from these earlier systems, both in its treatment of disease and in its Christianity.

Do Christian Scientists worship her?

Mrs. Eddy strongly discouraged personal adulation in any form. Among her many published statements on this subject is an article called “Deification of Personality,” in which she states, “Whosoever looks to me personally for his health or holiness, mistakes. He that by reason of human love or hatred or any other cause clings to my material personality, greatly errs, stops his own progress, and loses the path to health, happiness, and heaven.” While Christian Scientists generally feel a deep respect for what Mary Baker Eddy has done for humanity, they worship God.

Do Eddy’s writings take the place of the Bible?

Absolutely not. She envisioned her work Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures as a companion book to the Scriptures and encouraged Christian Scientists to study the Bible continually. She initiated a weekly Bible Lesson for Christian Scientists that is still being published today and established a Sunday School for children where the Scriptures are taught every Sunday. A lifelong student of the Bible herself, Eddy’s writings are filled with references to the Scriptures as “the chart of life” and “the sufficient guide to eternal life.”

Why do Christian Scientists place more importance on Mary Baker Eddy’s Science and Health than the Bible? It seems like they make her more important than Jesus.

Actually, they don’t. The Bible is the basis for Christian Science theology, and in fact, Christian Science wouldn’t exist without it.

Talk to Christian Scientists, and you’ll discover that they love the Bible and that Christ Jesus’ teachings are central to their lives and healing work.

Do Christian Scientists appreciate what they’ve gained from studying Science and Health along with the Bible? Absolutely—just as they appreciate Mary Baker Eddy’s work and accomplishments. But Eddy herself deflected personal adulation and comparison to Jesus, and she urged others to do the same.

Why is she seen as controversial?

Mrs. Eddy generally swam against the current of her times. She was a woman active in religious and business arenas, both of which were dominated by men. Her religious teachings broke new ground, reinstating the spiritual healing that characterized early Christianity. Many people today are giving her life and writings a fresh look and finding that they are interested in her thoughts about God as a loving Father-Mother and her understanding of the mental nature of health and healing.

Is Christian Science a cult?

No. There is no brainwashing, mind control, or blind following of a leader. Christian Scientists do have a deep respect and appreciation for the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, but they do not worship her.

Where can I learn more about her?

Mrs. Eddy’s writings offer wonderful insights into her life and thinking. They are readily available on this website and in many bookstores. You can read her autobiography, Retrospection and Introspection. You’re also welcome to visit The Mary Baker Eddy Library online. For historical questions, please see the Ask a Researcher section.