To Find Out About Christian Science

        From time to time someone who happens on to my website will want to know, how can I find out more about Christian Science?  My first answer always is:  go directly to the book written by its Discoverer and Founder, Mary Baker Eddy, for a complete and satisfying explanation.  No one can explain its teachings like she can.  Of course, I always give as much information as possible based on a life-long study and practice of its teachings.

        If the individual inquiring lives in the USA, he or she can usually find a copy in a local library, should they not wish to purchase a copy initially.  And one can go on-line by typing in "How can I obtain a copy of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures?" There are several options that come up, which one can choose from.

        Someone who lives in a part of the globe far removed from a library or a Christian Science Reading Room may well want to become acquainted with Christian Science by listening and reading its textbook on-line.

        To provide encouragement to anyone interested in finding out more about this religion, let me quote the following words by Mrs. Eddy from Questions and Answers, Miscellaneous Writings, pages 33, 34:

        "What are the advantages of your system of healing, over the ordinary methods of healing disease? 

        Healing by Christian Science has the following advantages: --
 
        First:  It does away with all material medicines, and recognizes the fact that, as mortal mind is the cause of all "the ills that flesh is heir to," the antidote for sickness, as well as for sin, may and must be found in mortal mind's opposite, -- the divine Mind.
        Second:  It is more effectual than drugs; curing where these fail, and leaving none of the harmful "after effects" of these in the system; thus proving that metaphysics is above physics.
        Third:  One who has been healed by Christian Science is not only healed of the disease, but is improved mortally.  The body is governed by mind; and mortal mind must be improved, before the body is renewed and harmonious, -- since the physique is simply thoughts made manifest."

        To anyone who is just getting acquainted with what these inspired teachings reveal of the truths underlying Christ Jesus' marvelous works, I say, you have a wonderful experience in store!

     

     

     

Following Jesus in Healing

        Most Christians want to live the way Christ Jesus outlined for his followers.  And this has to include divine healing as well.  After all, Jesus is our complete Saviour and Examplar, and to truly be in accord with his teachings, we must rely on God's power as he did when we're faced with bodily or mental challenges.

        "Christians claim to  be his followers, but do they follow him in the way that he commanded? Hear these imperative commands:  'Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect!'  'Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature!'  'Heal the sick!'"  (Mary Baker Eddy writing in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, page 37)

        It logically follows that in order to do this, we need to have the understanding our Master had of God's laws governing man.  And it is here that the teachings of Christian Science are invaluable.  The book I just quoted from will help any one obtain this knowledge that heals.  Science and Health brings to light God's goodness, power, and love, illustrating how the Bible's promises of God's ever-present help are fulfilled.  It can show you how a change in your concept of God and man--of yourself--can bring healing and freedom from fear of sickness.

        The teachings contained in this unique volume stress that Christ Jesus' life purpose was not only to inspire, but to show how to be free from every form of material  bondage, physical suffering included.  He promised, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also."  (John 14:12)

        As thousands upon thousands of readers of Science and Health have found to their great joy, when the divine facts that Jesus illustrated and practiced are brought into contact with one's fears, beliefs, and attitudes about disease, the result is a change of thought, a spiritualization of thought, a removing of the mental state causing the physical difficulty.  Science and Health explains:  "The physical healing of Christian Science results now, as in Jesus' time, from the operation of divine Principle, before which sin and disease lose their reality in human consciousness and disappear as naturally and as necessarily as darkness gives place to light and sin to reformation.  Now, as then, these mighty works are not supernatural supremely natural."  (p. xi)

        Through the understanding that Christian Science affords, anyone may gain a correct, spiritual view of man as the image of God.  One comes to realize that disease is not any part of our real and only selfhood as made in God's likeness.  This spiritual concept of man is basic to scientific Christian healing, and this is why it is helpful to go back time and again to the Bible record that man is made in God's own image (see Genesis 1:26).  Accepting the premise that God is perfect Spirit, as the Scriptures teach, one recognizes the fact that the creations of Spirit can only be spiritual, perfect.  And this is the reality of man's being, despite appearances to the contrary.

        The need in healing is always for a change of mental standpoint.  Christ Jesus emphasized that what we entertain in thought has its effect.  He said, "Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man."  (Matthew 15:11)

        The discovery that Mary Baker Eddy made, that matter is really a mental phenomenon, was and is revolutionary.  Though you may never have considered it in this way before, both the image of disease and its expression in the body are false beliefs about you and me--not actual conditions.  The understanding of this fact is a potent force in destroying disease.

        It is by turning thought from an inharmonious physical condition and turning to God, contemplating man's real, spiritual selfhood as God's idea, that one is restored to health and well-being.  We can thank God for the eternal fact that we are His reflection, the expression of infinite, harmonious Spirit.  Being His offspring, we include only those qualities that Spirit imparts--peace, joy, wholeness, dominion.  By abiding in this true consciousness, we see that the fear and suffering which seemed to real have no actual power.  Disease is seen for what it is:  a misconception, a false state of mortal thought; it has no God-created reality.  Since we are inseparable from our heavenly Father, God, our well-being as God's reflection has never been interrupted.

        Christ-healing is dependent on the removal of disease beliefs and fears.  And it is the activity of Christ in human consciousness that removes these false beliefs.  As the divine facts of existence displace mortality's lie in our thought, a more normal, harmonious sense of being inevitably appears. As our great Master's healing works proved for all time, intact within man, within you and me right now, are unimpaired well-being, unchanging God-given harmony and freedom.



     

Suffering for Christ's Sake Sublime

        Some passages that bear this out:


        PAUL

        "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time
                       are not worthy to be compared
                       with the glory which shall be
                               revealed in us."

                               (Romans 8:18)


        "If we suffer, we shall also reign with him."
                            (I Timothy 2:12)


        "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall
                     suffer persecution."

                            (II Timothy 3:12)




        PETER

        "Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example
                         that ye should follow his steps:

                         (I Peter 2:3)


         "Rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings;
               that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye
                   may be glad also with exceeding joy."

                        (I Peter 4:13)





        MARY BAKER EDDY

                "It is a great thing to be found worthy to
                           suffer for Christ, Truth"

                           (Miscellaneous Writings, page 157)



               
            "Admiral Coligny, in the time of the French Hugenots, was converted to Protestanism through a stay copy of the Scriptures that fell into his hands.  He replied to his wife who urged  him to come out and confess his faith, 'It is wise to count the cost of becoming a true Christian.'  She answered him, 'It is wiser to count the cost of not becoming a true Christian.'  So, whatever we meet that is hard in the Christian warfare we must count as nothing, and must think instead, of our poverty and helplessness without this understanding, and count ourselves always as debtors to Christ, Truth."

                         (Miscellaneous Writings, page 281)



        "In metaphysics we learn that the strength of peace and of suffering is sublime, a true, tried mental conviction that is neither tremulous nor relapsing.  This strength is like the ocean, able to carry navies, yet yielding to the touch of a finger. This peace is spiritual, never selfish, stony, nor stormy, but generous, reliable, helpful, and always at hand."

                     (The First Church of Christ, Scientist - page 121)

A Paean to Christ's Power

                                  (From "The Pilgrim's Progress" by John Bunyan)






"O world of wonders!  (I can say no less)
That I should be preserved in that distress
That I have met with here!  O blessed be
That  hand that from it hath delivered me!
Dangers in darkness, devils, Hell, and sin,
Did compass me, while I this Vale was in;
Yea, snares, and pits, and traps, and nets did lie
My path about, that worthless silly I
Might have been catched, entangled, and cast down:
But since I live let JESUS wear the Crown."

Motive Is the Thing

Just let a person --

any person --

want to work for Christ,

and things begin to happen,

many times, at once.

Ways to spread His

saving words appear.

If this is not the case,

the hang-up is clear;

motive is askew.

Too much "me" and "you"

blocks the way.

Does not God wait for

our readiness to serve?

And when priorities are put right,

wanting Him to get the glory --

all the glory --

things begin to move,

doors are opened to one

that otherwise wouldn't be.

Our Father can use anyone He chooses

(not always someone people might expect),

but be that as it may,

ambition to serve His interests, commendable,

ambition to further ours, not.

"Go ye into all the world and preach

the gospel to every creature"

is meant for every Christian.

And aspiration to do this

is prayer that is always answered.

The Uniqueness of Christian Science

                                                         By John Robert Howell



        Christian Science is not an all-inclusive clubbable, to use Dr. Johnson's word, religion.  Whether one feels an impulse to rush to the defense of, toss brickbats at, or simply let Islam be, Christian Scientists shouldn't forget Paul's injunction:  "Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing."

        As Christians and Christian Scientists we have a duty to love all mankind, but a foolish or naive camaraderie with those who have not a particle of love or respect for Christian Science is to create an inviting opening for the hagfish Antichrist.  Christian Science is not a choice melange of tidbits from other religions, nor is it just a poor relative among the family of faiths dwelling in the great monotheistic tent oaisied in the midst of the vast desert of human misery.

        As the Discoverer and Founder of this religion, Mary Baker Eddy, writes in Unity of Good: What is the cardinal point of the difference in my metaphysical system?  This: That by knowing the unreality of disease, sin, and death, you demonstrate the allness of God.  This difference wholly separates my system from all others.  The reality of these so-called existences I deny, because they are not to be found in God, and this system is built on Him as the sole cause.  It would be difficult to name any previous teacher, save Jesus and his apostles, who have thus taught."

        Unless firmly and constantly resisted, the steady pull of aggressive mental suggestion and animal magnetism can and will draw us to the event horizon of the black hole of the Antichrist, and without clear spiritual reference points to orient and guide us we can draft amiably toward it unawares.  To achieve the necessary spiritual and metaphysical escape velocity from the illusion of error and mortal mind requires pure, steadfast, and unadulterated commitment to Christ, Truth, not to an ecumenical, hail-fellow-well-met bonhomie with other religions, no matter how compatible with or friendly toward Christian Science they may seem.

        As Scientists clinging limpet-like to our heavenly Father, God, should we not, like Hardy's darling thrush express our heartfelt adoration and inspiration "Upon the glowing gloom" in joyful carolings of "Some blessed Hope, whereof [we know] and [mankind is] unaware?"  (The Darkling Thrush")