Christian Science: Encyclopedia II - Christian Science - Definition of what Christian Science is

Christian Science - Definition of what Christian Science is

Christian Science encompases a set of ideas, which if understood can be applied by a person to a situation with the result of healing of that situation. Just as mathematics is a set of principles and ideas which, if applied to a situation (such as an unsolved mathematical problem), can result in the intended outcome (of solving a mathematical problem), with certain results each time.

In the sense of being able to use a set of principles, to obtain a desired result, consistently over time, it is scientific. The discoverer of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, believed the principles of Christian Science to be the same ones used by Christ Jesus in his healing ministry. In the sense that the ideas are based on the teachings of the Bible, particularly of Christ Jesus, it is Christian.

According to page 123 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures":

"The term Christian Science was introduced by the author [Mary Baker Eddy] to designate the scientific system of divine healing.

The revelation consists of two parts:

1. The discovery of this divine Science of Mind-healing, through a spiritual sense of the Scriptures and through the teachings of the Comforter, as promised by the Master.

2. The proof, by present demonstration, that the so-called miracles of Jesus did not specially belong to a dispensation now ended, but that they illustrated an ever-operative divine Principle. The operation of this Principle indicates the eternality of the scientific order and continuity of being.

Christian Science differs from material science, but not on that account is it less scientific. On the contrary, Christian Science is pre-eminently scientific, being based on Truth, the Principle of all science. (pp. 123-124)

Physical science (so-called) is human knowledge,--a law of mortal mind, a blind belief, a Samson shorn of his strength. When this human belief lacks organizations to support it, its foundations are gone. Having neither moral might, spiritual basis, nor holy Principle of its own, this belief mistakes effect for cause and seeks to find life and intelligence in matter, thus limiting Life and holding fast to discord and death. In a word, human belief is a blind conclusion from material reasoning. This is a mortal, finite sense of things, which immortal Spirit silences forever."

NOTE: The words 'Truth', 'Life', 'Principle' which appear with a capital letter in the middle of a sentence refer to God, and are "intended to express the nature, essence, and wholeness of Deity." (pp. 465)

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Definition of what Christian Science is", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki