Commonly known as Christian Science, the Church of Christ, Scientist was founded by Mary Baker Eddy in 1879. The Bible and Eddy's book, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures are the textbooks of the church.
Eddy described Christian Science as "the scientific system of divine healing," as the "law of God, the law of good, interpreting and demonstrating the divine Principle and rule of universal harmony."
Eddy based her beliefs and teachings on her own experiences. For much of her life, Eddy had suffered from paralysis. After reading of Christ's healing of a man with palsy, she recovered from her paralysis instantly. Convinced that God was the source of the miracle, Eddy became an advocate for "spiritual causation" and mental healing.
She was charismatic and, in time, she gathered a large and loyal following. Under her direction, the Church of Christ, Scientist was organized in Lynn, Massachusetts, in 1879. Thirteen years later, she directed the construction of a large church in Boston, known as the Mother Church, where the new denomination made its headquarters.
Local Christian Science churches are governed democratically within the bylaws that are recorded in the Manual of the Mother Church. Each church maintains a Reading Room that is open to the public, and which includes literature and other published works related to Christian Science. The Mother Church is administered by a board of directors, which elects a president and other officials.
Each church has two elected Readers, generally a man and a woman. During Sunday services, the Readers read from the Bible and from Science and Health. Sermons are prepared by a committee and issued quarterly by the Christian Science Publishing Company. Members of the church, known as practitioners, devote themselves to healing. Women outnumber men in the Church of Christ, Scientist by ten to one, and the Church's membership has been in decline since World War II. As the Church has failed to attract young members, most of its members are elderly. Between 1960 and the present, several of its buildings have been sold in order to free up funds.
Christian Science teaches its members to rely on prayer rather than seeking medical treatment, and illness is defined as error or the result of incorrect thinking. The sharpest criticisms of the Church of Christ, Scientist stems from this practice, particularly regarding children who are denied medical care. Although the Church maintains that members are free to seek medical care if they wish, there may be a fear of ostracism.
Christian Science also teaches that God forgives since by destroying it with the understanding that evil is unreal and that the punishment for sin lasts only as long as the belief in sin continues.
The Church believes that Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross and resurrected, not to bring eternal life but to uplift faith to understand eternal life.
The Church of Christ, Scientist publishes weekly and monthly magazines, The Christian Science Sentinel, The Christian Science Journal, and The Herald of Christian Science, which are published in various languages. Additionally, The Christian Science Monitor, which has been published since 1908, provides coverage of world news.
Recommended Resources
The official website for the Church of Christ, Scientist outlines the beliefs and teachings of the denomination, its foundation in the Bible, Mary Baker Eddy, and information about God’s standard for healing. Lectures on Christian Science are available on video, and authorized teachers of Christian Science may be requested through an online application. Its publications, a calendar of events, church membership policies, and magazine subscriptions are included.
https://www.christianscience.com/
Christian Science in Connecticut
Church of Christ, Scientist organizations in Connecticut are listed alphabetically, with addresses, telephone numbers, web addresses, and photographs. Information about Mary Baker Eddy, science and health, and other topics are addressed. Christian Science publications are highlighted, with links to their websites, and contacts for the Committee on Publication for Connecticut are set forth. Other resources include lectures, events, broadcasts, and hymns.
http://christiansciencect.org/
Christian Science in New Zealand
Sponsored by the Churches of Christ, Scientist, a list of Christian Science churches and reading rooms in New Zealand are published to the site, with locations, services, and schedules. The beliefs and practices of Christian Scientists are posted, and a brochure on Christian Science can be downloaded in PDF format. Other resources include a list of practitioners and teachers, its nursing programs, universities, retreats, and accommodations.
https://www.christiansciencenz.org/
JSH-Online is an online portal offering access to more than a hundred and thirty years of Christian Science publishing. With a subscription, readers can view hundreds of thousands of articles, testimonies, and audio programs, including all Journal, Sentinel, and Herald content, as well as Bible lessons, daily news briefings from the Christian Science Monitor, and other content. A hymnal and other collections are included, along with a video tutorial.
https://jsh.christianscience.com/
The CSM is a non-profit news organization that publishes daily in its electronic edition and weekly in print. Founded by Mary Baker Eddy in 1908, the newspaper is not religious-themed and includes only one article per issue related to the Church of Christ, Scientist. Readers may subscribe to the weekly print edition through the site, and its web edition includes news from the United States and the world, commentary, and other features.
https://www.csmonitor.com/
Cassette tapes, LP vinyl records, and audio recordings of lectures and talks by past Christian Science teachers, as well as music recordings, have been converted to CD. Sound recordings have been performed on all recordings in order to make them understandable, some more so than others. CDs may be located by the author, listed alphabetically, and by topic. Ordering and shipping information are set forth, and links to other Christian Science resources are provided.
http://www.christianscienceoncd.com/
Created and maintained by former Christian Scientists who now belong to a variety of other Christian denominations, the site maintains a stance in opposition to the beliefs and practices of the Church of Christ, Scientist. The site discusses the doctrinal differences between Christian Science and other Christian denominations, offers testimonials from former Christian Scientists and offers a variety of articles on topics related to Christian Science, its claims for healing, and other issues.
https://christianway.org/
Maintained by Prayerful Living Publishing, Prayerful Help is a directory of part-time and full-time Christian Science practitioners in North and South America, Africa, Asia and the Pacific, and Europe, with addresses and telephone numbers, and an overview of the services provided. An LGBT friendly list is included. Definitions and general information about Christian Science are included. Christian Science practitioners are invited to submit their details.
http://www.cspractitioners.com/
Although not affiliated with the First Church of Christ, Scientist or the Christian Science Publishing Society, the publishing company offers Science & Health with Key to the Scriptures, by Mary Baker Eddy, the Bible in the King James Version, and other Christian Science publications. Its products are highlighted and made available for online purchase, information about its craftsmanship, order policies, and testimonials are offered.
http://promisedcomforterpress.com/
Published and maintained by the Christian Science Publishing Society, this site is designed to assist people in learning more about Christian Science. The resources found here include online Bible lessons, several news articles and other features about the faith, as well as testimonies, an audio journal, and subscription information for several publications put out by the publishing society.
http://www.spirituality.com/
Specializing in early and contemporary works on Christian Science, its products may be found by browsing by author, title, or topic. Included are books and transcripts, downloadable resources, publications for those who are new to Christian Science, basic and advanced study texts, children’s books, biographic and historical works, and an archive of newsletters. Several audio files may be listened to online, and ordering information is set forth.
https://thebookmark.com/
The Christian Science Publishing Society Online Shop
The Christian Science text, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures and other books from the Church of Christ, Scientist are available for purchase, along with books and music on CD, anthologies, pamphlets, a Christian Science study resource on DVD-ROM, markers and other supplies, greeting cards, subscription cards, note cards, and digital downloads are available for purchase through the site, including materials in other languages.
https://christianscience.buysub.com/
The Commission for Accreditation of Christian Science Nursing Organizations/Facilities
The Committee looks for integrity, excellence, and reliability in Christian Science nursing facilities, nursing services, and training programs. It does this by publishing standards for Christian Science nursing, conducting on-site visits, and enforcing compliance with laws and regulations. Accreditation standards are published on the site, and a list of accredited organizations may be viewed. Common questions about Christian Science nursing are answered.
https://csncommission.org/
