Christian Science applies laws of God to bring spiritual, physical healing

by: Mary Beth Evans, June 12, 2009

When I was 12 years old, the congregation of the Christian Science church in my hometown dedicated a new church building. On the wall behind the large podium in the Sunday School was a quote of Christ Jesus’ from the New Testament in the Bible: “And they shall be all taught of God” (John 6:45).

I thought that was wonderful. I had attended Sunday School since I was a toddler but now, on the threshold of my teen years, I was excited to learn more about God and how He and His laws could be a part of my life.

Christian Science is an established religion. It is not a cult. It is not Scientology and is not affiliated with it in any way. The Church of Christ, Scientist was founded in 1879 by Mary Baker Eddy and today is headquartered in Boston. The First Church of Christ, Scientist and its Extension house the Christian Science Publishing Society (home of the Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper The Christian Science Monitor and CSMonitor.com) and the Mary Baker Eddy Library for the Betterment of Humanity.

There are Christian Science churches, societies and informal groups throughout the United States and Europe and around the globe. Close to home, there are congregations in Seneca, Greenville and Spartanburg.

Christian Science is based on the Bible, especially the teachings of Christ Jesus. That’s why it’s Christian. It’s a science because it utilizes established laws — in this science, the laws of God as put forth in the Bible — and systematically applies them to any situation, bringing about practical results.

Eddy, a devout Christian who had been raised in the Congregational Church, first became aware of these laws of God in reading the Bible accounts of Jesus’ healings. After healing from a critical injury, she spent three years in extensive study of the Bible and discovered that an understanding of God and His laws of spiritual good lead to physical healing. She detailed this discovery and her commentary on the Scriptures in the book, “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.” She named her discovery Christian Science.

At the same time, Eddy demonstrated the practicality of these laws in healing hundreds of people. These healings are documented in the Mary Baker Eddy Library and many have been compiled in books and biographies over the years.

This healing work has been carried on by thousands of students of Christian Science.

Healing in Christian Science is not faith healing. There are no incantations or rituals. Christian Science does not advocate that the result of prayer, good or bad, is the will of God. Prayer in Christian Science is rooted in the nature of God as wholly good and in each person’s relationship to God as His loved child. It is the progressive understanding that no one can ever be separated from God and His love that results in healing, whether physical or emotional health.