"As adherents of Truth, we take the inspired Word of the Bible as our sufficient guide to eternal Life."
- Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, 497:3-4
- Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, 497:3-4
Is Christian Science the same as "Scientology"?
No. Christian Science is a Bible-based religion, organized "to commemorate the words and works of our Master, [Christ Jesus], a Mind-healing church, without a creed," (See: Retrospection and Introspection, p. 44). "Scientology" is based on the writings of author L. Ron Hubbard.
Is a Christian Scientist a Christian?
Yes, and working to be a better one every day. Christian Scientists are expected to live their Christianity seven days a week. One tenet of Christian Science reads: “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.”
Who established your church?
Mary Baker Eddy was the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science. She established the church in 1879 in Boston to “commemorate the word and works of our Master, which should reinstate primitive Christianity and its lost element of healing.” Mrs. Eddy was born in New Hampshire, grew up in a devout Congregational family, and always had a great love of God and the Bible.
What is the Christian Science view of God?
He is our Father-Mother God. He is only good. He is all power and ever present. Nothing can be added to Him or taken from Him. He cares for all of us. As stated in Psalms, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” The Apostle Paul said, “In him we live, and move, and have our being.”
What place does Jesus Christ have in your teaching?
His words and works, as described in the New Testament, are the very basis of Christian Science. Jesus furnished humanity with the perfect example of what it means to be the Son of God.
In summary, what is Christian Science?
To its adherents, Christian Science is a way of life, based on the laws of God. It is devoted to lifting the burdens of suffering and sin from all humanity. Christian Science is an established denomination, and a deeply committed Christian church whose theology rests upon a profound belief in the inspired teaching practiced by Jesus and his disciples.
No. Christian Science is a Bible-based religion, organized "to commemorate the words and works of our Master, [Christ Jesus], a Mind-healing church, without a creed," (See: Retrospection and Introspection, p. 44). "Scientology" is based on the writings of author L. Ron Hubbard.
Is a Christian Scientist a Christian?
Yes, and working to be a better one every day. Christian Scientists are expected to live their Christianity seven days a week. One tenet of Christian Science reads: “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.”
Who established your church?
Mary Baker Eddy was the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science. She established the church in 1879 in Boston to “commemorate the word and works of our Master, which should reinstate primitive Christianity and its lost element of healing.” Mrs. Eddy was born in New Hampshire, grew up in a devout Congregational family, and always had a great love of God and the Bible.
What is the Christian Science view of God?
He is our Father-Mother God. He is only good. He is all power and ever present. Nothing can be added to Him or taken from Him. He cares for all of us. As stated in Psalms, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” The Apostle Paul said, “In him we live, and move, and have our being.”
What place does Jesus Christ have in your teaching?
His words and works, as described in the New Testament, are the very basis of Christian Science. Jesus furnished humanity with the perfect example of what it means to be the Son of God.
In summary, what is Christian Science?
To its adherents, Christian Science is a way of life, based on the laws of God. It is devoted to lifting the burdens of suffering and sin from all humanity. Christian Science is an established denomination, and a deeply committed Christian church whose theology rests upon a profound belief in the inspired teaching practiced by Jesus and his disciples.
Together with the King James Version of The Holy Bible, the textbook of Christian Science, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, by Mary Baker Eddy are the pastor of Christian Science churches. You may visit our Reading Room for more information on Science and Health, or click here to read it online.
What is a Christian Science church service like?
In the April, 1945, issue of The Christian Science Journal, George C. Ewing said this:
A dictionary definition of "service" is, "Spiritual obedience and love." A Christian Science service is in conformity with this definition because it bestows the blessings of divine Love on the receptive thought, is devoid of rituals, or human opinions, and is in obedience to God's statutes. A Christian Science service is distinctive in its simplicity and beauty, yet it is forceful in its potency and efficacy, for it is the Word of God, which heals the sick, enriches the affections, comforts the sorrowing, and saves humanity from the destructive beliefs of evil.
But, what can you expect on a Sunday morning?
It's a lot like most church services: You're greeted at the door by an usher, a church member, one of our Readers, and handed a Christian Science Quarterly (the booklet that contains information about the service). They will be happy to answer any questions you may have, show you to the auditorium, or just leave you alone if you prefer. People come in and sit where they're comfortable; there's no "assigned seats," and no one glares at you for being in their seat. One thing that is different than most churches is that instead of one pastor or preacher, we have two, and they are not the men or women standing at the front of the room. Our dual Pastor consists of The Bible (KJV), and a textbook explaining the Bible in spiritual terms, entitled Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, by Mary Baker Eddy, who discovered Christian Science, or the laws of God as they apply to our daily lives. We start by singing a hymn and hearing a scriptural reading, then we sing another hymn. At this point church announcements are read and then the soloist sings a solo relating to the subject of the Lesson/Sermon. The two people at the front (First Reader and Second Reader), alternate reading passages from The Bible and from Science and Health (found in the Christian Science Quarterly, and relating to one of 26 subjects). At the conclusion of the Lesson/Sermon the collection is taken up, and then we sing a final hymn. At the conclusion of the last hymn the First Reader reads from Science and Health, "The Scientific Statement of Being," (p. 468:8-15), and the Second Reader reads the correlative scripture from I John (I John 3:1-3). The benediction is read, and the service ends. People gather in the foyer to exchange hellos and then go on about their day.
Sounds pretty straight-forward, right?
Well, there's one more element of our services that can't quite be put into an itinerary: Healing.
During the service, we expect healing. And it happens. Come experience it for yourself.
Our Wednesday Evening Testimony Meetings are very similar, but a little more relaxed. The Reader selects appropriate readings from The Bible and Science and Health on a subject of contemporary importance, and that comprises the "sermon" for the evening. Time is given to discuss the readings, spiritual ideas, and testimonies of healing for which attendees wish to share gratitude.
Whether it is Sunday morning or Wednesday evening, we hope that you will come and see what is going on in our church as we "watch and pray."
It's a lot like most church services: You're greeted at the door by an usher, a church member, one of our Readers, and handed a Christian Science Quarterly (the booklet that contains information about the service). They will be happy to answer any questions you may have, show you to the auditorium, or just leave you alone if you prefer. People come in and sit where they're comfortable; there's no "assigned seats," and no one glares at you for being in their seat. One thing that is different than most churches is that instead of one pastor or preacher, we have two, and they are not the men or women standing at the front of the room. Our dual Pastor consists of The Bible (KJV), and a textbook explaining the Bible in spiritual terms, entitled Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, by Mary Baker Eddy, who discovered Christian Science, or the laws of God as they apply to our daily lives. We start by singing a hymn and hearing a scriptural reading, then we sing another hymn. At this point church announcements are read and then the soloist sings a solo relating to the subject of the Lesson/Sermon. The two people at the front (First Reader and Second Reader), alternate reading passages from The Bible and from Science and Health (found in the Christian Science Quarterly, and relating to one of 26 subjects). At the conclusion of the Lesson/Sermon the collection is taken up, and then we sing a final hymn. At the conclusion of the last hymn the First Reader reads from Science and Health, "The Scientific Statement of Being," (p. 468:8-15), and the Second Reader reads the correlative scripture from I John (I John 3:1-3). The benediction is read, and the service ends. People gather in the foyer to exchange hellos and then go on about their day.
Sounds pretty straight-forward, right?
Well, there's one more element of our services that can't quite be put into an itinerary: Healing.
During the service, we expect healing. And it happens. Come experience it for yourself.
Our Wednesday Evening Testimony Meetings are very similar, but a little more relaxed. The Reader selects appropriate readings from The Bible and Science and Health on a subject of contemporary importance, and that comprises the "sermon" for the evening. Time is given to discuss the readings, spiritual ideas, and testimonies of healing for which attendees wish to share gratitude.
Whether it is Sunday morning or Wednesday evening, we hope that you will come and see what is going on in our church as we "watch and pray."
Tenets of The Mother Church The First Church of Christ, Scientist
The following is a brief exposition of the important points, or religious 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.
- Science and Health, 496:31-27
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.
- Science and Health, 496:31-27