Establishment of the Church
Mary Baker Eddy’s primary work on spirituality and healing was published in 1875. This book, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, inspired its readers to begin meeting to discuss the ideas and share their healing results. The book contains the complete explanation of Christian Science. It is available in Reading Rooms, many bookstores, and online at www.spirituality.com.
In 1879, Mrs. Eddy established what became The First Church of Christ, Scientist, with this stated purpose: “to commemorate the word and works of our Master, which should reinstate primitive Christianity and its lost element of healing,” (Church Manual). Mrs. Eddy had a lifelong reverence for the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and a deep desire that her followers learn to heal as Jesus did. Today, there are Churches of Christ, Scientist, and Christian Science Societies, in 75 countries. The headquarters -- The Mother Church -- is located in Boston, Massachusetts.
The Study & Practice of Christian Science
Christian Science is practiced by people of many different denominations and faith traditions, as well as those with no faith tradition. Membership in the First Church of Christ, Scientist, is not a prerequisite for the practice of Christian Science.
Through its study and practice, individuals have made progress on their spiritual journeys, found answers to life’s deepest questions, and experienced better emotional and physical health. Health care decisions are always a matter of individual choice and are not dictated by the church.
Through its study and practice, individuals have made progress on their spiritual journeys, found answers to life’s deepest questions, and experienced better emotional and physical health. Health care decisions are always a matter of individual choice and are not dictated by the church.
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.
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.