Beliefs and teachings

Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of Christian Science, was asked if Christian Scientists had a religious creed. She answered, “They have not, if by that term is meant doctrinal beliefs” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, pp. 496–497). She did provide a few tenets—or key points—that briefly summarize the teachings of Christian Science. They are rooted in the Bible.

Tenets of Christian Science

1. As adherents of Truth, we take the inspired Word of the Bible as our sufficient guide to eternal Life.

2. We acknowledge and adore one supreme and infinite God. We acknowledge His Son, one Christ; the Holy Ghost or divine Comforter; and man in God's image and likeness.

3. We acknowledge God's forgiveness of sin in the destruction of sin and the spiritual understanding that casts out evil as unreal. But the belief in sin is punished so long as the belief lasts.

4. We acknowledge Jesus' atonement as the evidence of divine, efficacious Love, unfolding man's unity with God through Christ Jesus the Way-shower; and we acknowledge that man is saved through Christ, through Truth, Life, and Love as demonstrated by the Galilean Prophet in healing the sick and overcoming sin and death.

5. We acknowledge that the crucifixion of Jesus and his resurrection served to uplift faith to understand eternal Life, even the allness of Soul, Spirit, and the nothingness of matter.

6. And we solemnly promise to watch, and pray for that Mind to be in us which was also in Christ Jesus; to do unto others as we would have them do unto us; and to be merciful, just, and pure.

How is it Christian and Science?

The Bible says that “God is love” (I John 4:16). God’s love is at the core of Christian Science. Mary Baker Eddy wrote that “Divine Love is the substance of Christian Science, the basis of its demonstration, yea, its foundation and superstructure.” Those who practice Christian Science do their best to live the bold, generous, and compassionate love that Christ Jesus laid out in his Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7). This is the heart of its Christianity.

Christian Science is also a science because it’s based on God as infinite Principle as well as unchanging Love. God loves all of us unconditionally and is the only true power and source of all good.  Christian Science explains the spiritual laws of Love that Jesus relied on to heal sickness and sin.  These laws are reliable and can be proven. People are doing the same kind of healing today as they learn more about what God really is.

"What is Christian Science?" brochure

This new brochure provides basic information about the theology and practice of Christian Science and the activities of The First Church of Christ, Scientist and its publications.

It can be downloaded, printed, and shared with others in nineteen languages.

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A Note to Printers: The First Church of Christ, Scientist has authorized printing of this "What is Christian Science?" brochure for display in and distribution by Christian Science Reading Rooms and branch churches. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this authorization, please contact opendoors@csps.com or call 1-617-450-3138.