🤓 Nerd Visits a Christian Science Church
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- Опубліковано 11 лип 2024
- David Boice (socially awkward author of 52 Churches in 52 Weeks) straps on his Steve Urkel suspenders to spiritually experiment with the Christian Science church, dissecting what it looks like from the lens of a nerdy outsider.
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▶️ Timestamps:
0:00 - Nerdy Intro
2:56 - Backstory into Christian Science Misconceptions
6:47 - Visit at a Christian Science Church
13:45 - Who Was Mary Baker Eddy?
19:21 - Final Thoughts
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David's Faith Story:
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Thank you for sharing your perspectives. As a Christian Scientist, I feel I can shed some light on some of the things that you shared. I'll start by saying that, given the information you had available, everything you said makes sense, and I can tell you are trying to be fair with this video. Anyway, I'll start by saying that as a lifelong Christian Scientist, I do *not* consider Science and Health as equal to the Bible, or even close. The reason why CS churches don't have pastors in the present day is that, in the 1880s when the church was first starting to grow, the pastors then ordained by the church began to put their own personal spin on the ideas, leading to a spiraling out of control of the theology. Ultimately, the decision was made to ordain the Bible and Science and Health as CS's dual and impersonal pastor. Essentially, the word of the Bible is seen to stand on its own, with Science and Health providing some additional explanations for a more modern (as of 150 years ago) age. I see S+H as a study guide for the Bible. The Bible lesson that you heard is prepared months in advance and is read verbatim in every CS church in the world. The idea behind this is that we all get a consistent experience, we can study the lesson ahead of time on our own, and then come together in church to get more out of it. The idea is that we are supposed to do the thinking ourselves based on the original passages, rather than having an intermediary preacher tell us what to think about it. I agree that in practice, the lesson sermons can be boring, especially if you haven't read it beforehand. Serious students of CS often read the entire lesson each day, so they are more prepared for the church service. I often find that the lesson exactly addresses a situation I'm worried about at the time. Unfortunately, you encountered one of our more bizarre lesson titles, "Ancient and Modern Necromancy, Alias Mesmerism and Hypnotism, Denounced." Bear in mind that the 26 lesson titles have not been changed since 1910. At the time occultism was a big societal issue, and Mary Baker Eddy was trying to push back against it with this subject. In today's world, we still use this lesson as an opportunity to tackle occultism, but also other stuff like false information, pseudoscience, conspiracy theories, etc.
As for how I view Mary Baker Eddy, I agree that the word choice we sometimes use can give the wrong impression. Hearing her referred to as "leader" makes me uncomfortable as well, and I can only imagine what that must be like for an outsider. I usually refer to her as the founder of the Christian Science movement, which is historically accurate. Essentially, MBE is to CS as John Wesley is to Methodism or Martin Luther is to Lutheranism. Christian Scientists are clear theologically that we don't deify her or ascribe her with special powers. During her own life she was very careful to avoid developing a cult of personality, to the point where she actually never visited the Extension of the Mother Church, the headquarters of the religion. As for the relationship between Eddy and Quimby, there's an important nuance missing from your analysis that bears discussion. Quimby believed that animal magnetism was an actual force that could be exerted by a person using their mind. Eddy originally was a student of Quimby, but ultimately found that his methods did not lead to lasting results, which led her to continue on her spiritual search. Her CS teachings are clear that, unlike Quimby's beliefs, the human mind is powerless- it is only God's One Mind that is active and brings healing. CS is also clear that animal magnetism, while seeming to be a force, is actually not a real entity, and this denial is an important part of CS prayer. Essentially, MBE had an encounter with Quimby but ended up going beyond his teachings.
I think it's also important to share that the experiences of ex-Christian Scientists regarding medical care that you shared, while unfortunate, do not represent the experience of most Christian Scientists or resemble in any way my experience with it. There is no church policy prohibiting medical treatment. Any healthcare choices are strictly left to the individual. Many Christian Scientists choose prayer as a first line of defense in an adverse situation, and this often leads to results, meaning that medical intervention often isn't necessary -- but it is no prohibited. My parents were always clear to me that I always had the choice to take the medical route if I thought it was necessary. I have made that choice on a couple of occasions with no consequences. While I have not personally broken a bone, the general practice I've seen from other CS folks is to have them set by a medical professional, which is also the guidance included in Science and Health.
Statistically, you are correct that we are an aging church. However, we still have an active movement of younger folks within the church who are committed to its future (I'm in my 20s), and many of our churches are a good deal larger than the one you visited (although we don't count numbers, as we don't think they are an accurate measure of success). While I am a "multi-generational" Christian Scientist (my great-grandparents joined the church in the 1930s after my great-grandma was healed of chronic sinusitis) I have many friends in my age group who found it on their own in various circumstances.
Another thing you touched on is a common misconception that Christian Scientists see it as a self-help method rather than a deep spiritual practice. While I can understand where you might get that impression based on your experience and the information you were exposed to, it is not true for serious students of CS. In fact, MBE herself stated that healing in Christian Science was only the first step, a call to the religion's ultimate mission, to take away the sins of the world. We believe that healing is a natural outgrowth of a disciplined, spiritual way of life based on working to understand the true meaning of the scriptures. I think that the tenets of Christian Science, the closest thing we have to a creed, is a good summary of our spiritual beliefs and commitment to understanding eternal life:
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.
As you can see from this summary of the CS faith, there's actually very little in there about self-help and healing. Rather, it's about an effort to live a Christ-like life, understand God, and spiritualize our thinking.
Like you, I am interested in the intersection between spirituality and modern-day science (I am an aerospace engineer). While I agree that the packaging of Christian Science does not immediately seem to address this (and it's important to remember that MBE's use of the word "science" was in the sense of a systematic body of knowledge on a specific topic, in this case Christianity, rather than trying to compete with or replace the natural sciences,) I do feel that the unusual spiritual perspective that we bring to the universe has the opportunity to bridge the gap. CS is based on the idea that God's laws govern the universe, that these laws are understandable, and that they can be applied with reliable results, just like any other scientific principle. I've also found that our views on the non-corporeal nature of the universe are increasingly lining up with some of the more advanced physics theories being published, although there's more work to be done before they are fully reconciled.
Thank you for taking the time to make this thoughtful video and for visiting one of our churches. I hope what I shared helps make some things you encountered make more sense and answer some questions.
A bit late on this response, but wanted to say thank you for the insights shared here. This does help shine some light on various questions that I wondered about after visiting.
Thank you for taking the time to read my comment.
Thanks William for your insights about CS. I am a new visitor to CS no yet a member bur most likely I will join soon.
Perfect- Thank you.
This was so helpful in understanding what CS beliefs are. Thank you!
Glad UA-cam suggested your video to me! I'm a Christian, I spent almost 20 years at Willow Creek Community Church (non-denominational Protestant) and attended a Christian college, Calvin. I struggled with a chronic pain condition from my early twenties and eventually became dependent on medications. I prayed for healing, researched diligently, and tried everything without success. Eventually I gave up. I figured God just wanted me to suffer. Fast forward to 2018: I'm 40 years old, debilitated by pain and opioid dependence, but I begin studying these ideas that Mary Baker Eddy (and others like Ernest Holmes and Joel Goldsmith) taught. Within weeks, just from reading a little bit every night and thinking about what I was reading, my pain withered away and has never come back. I was STUNNED and my entire outlook on reality has shifted. A couple years later, when I had a suspicious lump, I went to a Christian Science Practitioner for prayer, and by my next radiology appointment the tumor was gone! I don't withhold medical care from my kids because I think God can use doctors and I simply don't agree with everything Mary Baker Eddy taught. I may not be a member of Christian Science, but I try to study the Quarterly every week, I subscribe to the Sentinel and Journal, and I keep the CS Hymn book in my purse because it is a wealth of encouragement to me. Christian Science subverts my materialistic view of reality and has helped me grow tremendously in my walk with Christ, not to mention that these truths have restored my quality of life to me after I thought it was hopeless. I pray that Christian Science will experience a revival and a break from some of the more restrictive policies that have hindered the church's flourishing in the 21st century. Thanks for your good natured approach to learning about other denominations!
Thank you for your sincere, honest sharing of your first experience at a Christian Science service. I can appreciate that a single encounter with a few passages might leave one with more confusion than clarity. I'm in my 60s and have been studying Christian Science all my life. Science and Health, by Mary Baker Eddy is primarily a commentary on the Bible and popular Christian theology and it is hard to understand Eddy's contribution to that conversation outside of that context. It is also a practice, and like many disciplines becomes more understandable as one tries to apply the teachings to daily experience.
I must admit that I recognized little of what you said as my own religious perspective and experience, but I do feel you were sincerely trying to piece together something that makes sense (or doesn't) from assorted critics and second hand sources. You'd come away with quite a different perspective if you read Science and Health. It lays out the theology, albeit in 18th century language. I do believe it is possible to represent and discuss Eddy's theology accurately without agreeing with it, but understandably, that is an investment in time and effort that goes beyond the scope of your project. That being said, here are a couple of quotes, from her Chapter entitled "Prayer", which give a rather different tone than that which I heard emphasized in your descriptions.
“What we most need is the prayer of fervent desire for growth in grace, expressed in patience, meekness, love, and good deeds. To keep the commandments of our Master [Jesus] and follow his example, is our proper debt to him and the only worthy evidence of our gratitude for all that he has done. Outward worship is not of itself sufficient to express loyal and heartfelt gratitude, since he has said: “If ye love me, keep my commandments.
"The habitual struggle to be always good is unceasing prayer. Its motives are made manifest in the blessings they bring, - blessings which, even if not acknowledged in audible words, attest our worthiness to be partakers of Love. Simply asking that we may love God will never make us love Him; but the longing to be better and holier, expressed in daily watchfulness and in striving to assimilate more of the divine character, will mould and fashion us anew, until we awake in His likeness.” p.4 , Science and Health
“The test of all prayer lies in the answer to these questions: Do we love our neighbor better because of this asking? Do we pursue the old selfishness, satisfied with having prayed for something better, though we give no evidence of the sincerity of our requests by living consistently with our prayer? If selfishness has given place to kindness, we shall regard our neighbor unselfishly, and bless them that curse us; but we shall never meet this great duty simply by asking that it may be done. There is a cross to be taken up before we can enjoy the fruition of our hope and faith.” p.9, Science and Health
I'm not a Scientist, I'm a Quaker. In CS one needs to engage with the "two perfect pastors" to "get anything out" of the service. I've been asked how I can sit in Meeting for 60-90 minutes in Silence..."outwardly" we are silent. How one approaches Meeting determines what you "get".
I'm a Quaker too! Most of my experiences attending meeting for worship involve people actually standing up and talking every so often, though. I find that really reassuring for the most part and am excited to be able to attend again every now and then when my kids are a little older.
re: the free gift, the one time I actually went inside of a Christian Science Reading Room I was given an hymnal free of charge after a short conversation with the woman there.
My dad grew up in that church but never really said anything about it. My grandma on my dads side apparently went there her whole life. She never went to the hospital except to give birth to my dad and shortly before she died in her 80s. When my grandma died, i grabbed the book you are referring to and read it and don't remember anything about it.
I can see how you were confused by CS.
I would 2nd the watching of Dr Doyle. If you are truly into Science, the science of Christian Science can be boiled down quite beautifully into Quantum Physics. How much of an atom has mass?
When you find this answer you will better understand Christian Science. ❤ much love
Christian Science made me back to the Bible... the concept answers many of my doubt on Christianity and God... it make me see the Bible in different way...
Thanks for sharing...
Galileo started the rift between science and religion by taking consciousness out of science to make science a material niche if you will. This was at a time when science, religion, and medicine were all one with Paracelsus, alchemy, and the rise of the Rosicrucians who were Protestant alchemists.
As a non-Christian UU I recently got a copy of Science and Health (as part of my sacred texts collection that includes the Book of Mormon and the Qu'ran) and a somewhat old book about the Christian Science lifestyle, I've heard a bit about this denomination and have considered going to a church of theirs not too far away from me but I haven't really felt like it. Also I've read from the Christian Science Monitor and it seemed to be pretty good journalism.
I have to tell you, about 10 years ago I went to one of these churches several times actually and since then this church closed down. My experience with it was similar to yours and right now I currently have a friend who I recently found out still goes to one of these churches and is still very into this, but membership is way down according to my friend and there's not many new ones. I was wondering how much longer this denomination will continue to exist, who knows
An interesting perspective. I am an ex-Christian Scientist, but was a young convert (at age 12 or so?), not born in. Although what you describe is fairly accurate, one thing that I found odd in your description: crosses and candles. I have never been to a CS church with either crosses or candles. CS doesn't really like that sort of symbolism and CS churches are tightly restricted with respect to the sort of things they can display inside.
As for the broken pipe, there is indeed a sort of disconnection between not going to a doctor for a broken bone while still going to a doctor for a broken pipe, but CSists do approach all problems in terms of prayer and healing. Any problem solved through prayer is thought of as a healing. There will certainly have been people in the church who were praying about the situation with the pipe, "knowing" (=filling their consciousness with the fact...) that nothing can be broken in God's perfect world. Actually, as a kind of exception, CSists usually do go to a doctor to have a bone set, unlike the situation with most other types of bodily problems and ailments.
Thanks for watching and leaving a comment.
That's a good call-out about the crosses and candles. I took one picture inside (which was incredibly awkward) and sure enough after looking at it, there are no candles and no cross. Just "God is Love" written on the wall behind the lectern with a bunch of flowers for decoration. That was a mistaken generalization on my part.
You will never ever walk into a Christian Science church and see any “graven images”
I became a student of CS aprox age 21 for about a decade. I concur with all that you stated & I attended service at at least 1/2 different CS churches plus worked in a CS retirement home . I experienced CS services as stale & switched to Science of Mind aka Religious Science because of the many parallels.
Thank you for noting the diference between Christian Science and Scientology right up front. That seems to come up a lot in public discussions.
Mary Baker Eddy's profound healing encouraged her to try to find what had caused it and to be able to share the methods with others. Instead of being satisfied in creating the reputation of being a personal healer, she felt the need to make it available to others, hence the writing of the book, Scienc and Health with Key to the Scriptures.
Her studies of the Bible led her to the conclusion that the usual perception of God, Jesus' life and and teaching as well as our experience here were incorrect and that an improved concept would be life-changing. Eddy rejected the narrative of creation from the second chapter of Genesis that proposes human features of God, and his imperfect, sinning creation, Adam and Eve in favor of the description af the spiritual creation that Genesis 1 describes, with Man and Woman created as equals, made in God's image and likeness, not equal to God but a reflection of God, ending with "God saw everything that he had made and behold it was very good". To her, the human Jesus was not an adjunct of God, but, as he said, of himself, the Son of God. He is our gift from God, that shows us how to live in the way that best expresses Our Father.
May I suggest that a good understanding of how Christian Science works in daily life can be gained by spending some time with a You Tube lecture by Rob Gilbert entitled, God and Health. In it he describes his experience as a Christian Science Practitioner and teacher, as well as an Army Chaplain. He narrates the healing of a friend of diagnosed tuberculosis. He was healed by reading Science and Health, He also narrates the healing of a Soldier who was run over by a truck.When he heard of the accident, Gilbert considered the promises contained in the 91st Psalm. which resulted in a complete reversal of what seemed to be fatal injuries. It may be found at:ua-cam.com/video/AX_21epwPIM/v-deo.html
The last hundred pages of the book, Science and Health with key to the Scriptures is comprised of testimonies of people who were healed of significant illnesses just by reading the book.
Eddy took to heart Jesus' commands to love God and our neighbor and outlined those practices in our lives as necessary to live harmoniously and successfully.
@@chris1960 Dear Chris,I'm sad about your Mom's experience.I had a similar issue growing up. When I was 12 years, I found my Dad flat on he floor one morning, apparently suffering from a stroke.He eventually recovered from that but he was infirm all of my teenage years through High School. Pretty much, I abandoned Christian Science, because I though that if he wasn't being helped, the regular and faithful church attendee, it might not do me good either. It seemed to me that it was the church of "thou shall not". I didn't let it go entirely; I came to think of it as a resort to protection. I'd had some close calls as a Teen; I was in 3 total wrecks and had no injuries. I also was healed of a badly sprained ankle, mostly I toughed minor injuries out and got along. But I'd seen and heard of great healings. I had injured my back sometime and it gave me periodic trouble.
My life became inharmonious at some point. My wife left me for someone else and took our kids with them. The draft board immediately called on me then rejected me due to the back trouble, which didn't break my heart. In time I re-married and we were living on a farm-ranch in the desert where there was lots of work and challenges. I started to have physical trouble and decided one day that I had to choose whom I would serve. I'd been raised to avoid medical treatment, but I thought it might soon be necessary to do that. I started reading the daily lesson that is part of the life of Christian Scientists' lives. I went to work on a heavy construction job that summer, a pipeline and copper mine mill. The problem with my back disappeared and I've never had a recurrence. I quit a 3-pack a day cigarette habit efortlessly. I'd fallen through a hole in a roof and damaged my ribs-- no idea if there were breaks, but that went from-- I couldn't lie down comfortably to climbing a pole to put up a sign we'd built in a couple of days. I've worked as a weldor and mechanic the rest of my career.
Cult: A religion or religious sect generally considered to be extremist or false, with its followers often living in an unconventional manner under the guidance of an authoritarian, charismatic leader.
b. The followers of such a religion or sect.
Christian Scientists do not worship Mary Baker Eddy, nor do they worship the man Jesus. Eddy made it plain that she did not want her students and members of her church to credit her personally with what she was doing, healing and teaching. .
Christ Jesus said often that his words and works were directly connected to his relationship with God." I can do nothing of myself". In an interview with a questioner in Matthew where a man asked him, "Good Master what shall I do to have eternal life?" Jesus reply takes us away from his person: And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.Matthew 19:17a.Jesus alluded to no personal God, but emphasized our and Jesus's relaionship to God, Jesus's life and teachings were a spiritual watershed in msnkind's understanding of God. Eddy saw that Jesus's insistence on forgiveness even of those who would do us physical harmdemanded a reliance on God's love for all of us, unconditional Grace--not to be earned but always with us
I grew up in this tradition. Ironically, what pushed me away from it is that the seeming rejection of materiality means that too much importance is placed on the material (that dastardly matrix!). When one is so busy refuting the pink elephant, whoops, there it is! So its not wholly wrong, but not wholly effective/practical, imo, but she was certainly onto something.
52 subs nice 👍
Thank you so much for sharing your experience and perspective. As a Christian Scientist myself I relish the opportunity to come together as one body and hear the word of God preach to me as well as listen to the words of our founder (which are not the word of God nor comparable to it but simply a helpful guide). As someone who converted later in life (at about 19) I must say I found my first meeting boring, and I can especially understand if you were only given the citation edition and not the full text to follow along. Most Christian scientists study the weeks bible lesson throughout the week and gain from it whatever they may gain so in your first week it does certainly seem long and confusing. I am so blessed to have found Christian Science and I am blessed to be able to share it with others!
Any relation to Charles Newman? I worked with him at Arden Wood.
Eddy, believed in God as the only healer. She received her healing abilities/anointing by studying the Bible daily; and she encouraged her students to make a daily study of the Bible. Quimby, believed in his own mind as a healer. He even told her his practice had nothing to do with God. There after she never sought his help again.
Mrs. Eddy states, in S&HwKtTS, human will is not CHRISTIAN Science.
Blessings to the seekers of Truth and Love❣️
🕊😇🎉🎶💝🕎🛐✝️💟
Thank You
No one seems to mention that the post Civil War culture in the US was filled with mystics like Quimby who was a member of the fraternal Knights Templar that included Rosicrucians and Free Masons. New England at that time was a hot bed of mystics, especially in rural communities. The fact that Quimby and others along the same lines, perpetuated this type of New Age philosophy, albeit cloaked in a veneer of Christianity should come as no surprise to any of us. The Mormons, Seventh Day Adventists, Jehovah's Witnesses itnesses and other groups were all founded around the same time by mystics. Satan is indeed a crafty adversary.
You imply that Satan's craftiness brought about the sects you listed. I am a member of one of them and I am positive Heavenly Father speaks to His children, often times thru prophets and often with personal revelation. God lives, He chose Jesus Christ to bring about our earthly experience with the assurance that ALL our spirits will make it back and The Holy Ghost (a separate personage of spirit) will teach you the truth if invited to. So, you win either way. You spirit will survive regardless of your belief.
After all is a free world and you believe what you choose to.
Because this guy is honest, there are so many thoughtful and insightful comments people have made to share with him their perspective. This gives this person and others like him an opportunity to advance in that sense. Unlike some of these other condescending videos in which the host and their viewers completely close themselves off.
I learned from you and from the comments below. knowledge dispels baseless misconceptions.
I was raised in Christian Science, and yeah it's been elderly folk since the 70's. Not a bad club right? I understand it, I have had many healings. Physical is always the easiest. I'll take it over a cheerleader rock and roll church, and I'm a rock guitar player. Christian Science isn't dying. It had its heyday when it was huge. People used to call Christian Science practitioners who didn't even go to church. Why? Simple. God works! Has even fixed a few pipes. Now take a gander at my avatar. It's a cyborg on Nebula NGC 2014. I found it using narrowband high-pass filtering. It's a big universe! God fills it all up. Oh fyi, Christian Science Wednesday evenings are testimonial nights with more people interaction. I went to Camp Leelanau on Lake Michigan when I was 14. It was a blast!
Nerds always wear POCKET PROTECTORS ! Really enjoyed the thoughtful comments.
I belonged to this as a kid and joined another faith later.
Thank You. The Quarterly is the Bible Lessons. CS study the Bible Lesson all week and then go to Church and have it read to them. I read S&H. It took me a year to read it. As a Baptist I tried to find a flaw in it according to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I found no error in it. I had a friend who helped me mark the lessons. At one point I started working at Arden Wood in S.F.....I took Primary Class with a Teacher. My life experience demonstrating the Science Of Christ, Truth, resulted in demonstrations of healing through Divine Science through Christ Jesus. I will be eternal grateful toward Mrs Eddy for her life long contribution to bring C.S. to the world, as Jesus demonstrated the Truth. The Truth speaks for itself. I hope you will consider reading S&H with an open mind, and see how Divine Mind, GOD is All in all. Thank You once again for trying to understand, why Jesus spoke in parables toward mankind, a kind of man under a great delusion. Godspeed Brother. GOD is LOVE
Then you don't know Christian theology very well. Given CS is not biblical. That's how CS recruits folks, it knows most folks are ignorant of the Bible and go for things that sound good. ua-cam.com/video/A6TomCPy3xc/v-deo.html
I Am Carolyn Suzanna Edwards, On The 21st March Willed Be 38 Years I Was Attending A Christian Scientist Church, Barbados West Indies. The Leader And Founder Of Christian Science, Rev Mary Baker Eddy, God Herself On Earth. Had Devoted Many Years While Discovering Christian Science, She Kept Herself From The World While Discovering Christian Science, Anytime Her Insight Was Darken She Prayed Untilled She Was Led Back On The Straight Path. Christian Science Is The Comforter Jesus Promise . It Is The Basis Of Christian Science To Relied On God For Healing, You Can Be Sure That You Willed Be Definitely Will Be Healed , Through Pray And And The Application Of Christian Science. I Was Healed From AIDS, Through The Praying And Application Of A Christian Scientist Practitioner Mr Enrique Smeke. A Lot Of People Have Been Healed By Christian Science, That The Doctor Have Given Up, That There Was No Hope, There Case Was Uncureable. And There Contacted A Christian Scientist Practitioner, And Was Completely Healed In No Time. A Number Of Christian Scientist Got Involved In Serious Accidents And Was Seriously Injured Was Taken To Hospital By A Ambulance, Refuse Medical Treatment , And Asked To Relied On Christian Science For Healing. Some Of These Cases Was So Serious, The Person Could Of End Up In A Wheel Chair. But Was Completely Healed,And Returned To Wfork In Two Days. The Founder And Leader Of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy God Herself On Earth, Her System Fully Tested And Has Not Been Found Wanting. She Herself Did Many Healings , And The Members Of Her Church First Church Of Christ Scientist, Have Been Abel To, Performed Many Healings Through The Study And Application Of Her Spiritual Teachings Christian Science. I Study Christian Science In It's Entierity While Reading The Bible Lesson In The Quarterly, Or Study The Christian Science Main Book Science And Health With Key To The Scriptures, By Rev Mary Baker Eddy And Saw
The Essence Of Christian Science. Many Christian Scientist Students While Working Out Problems In Christian Science, On Receiving The Harmonious Results Of They Problem, Great Job Opportunities Was Opened For Them Also, Throu The Study Of Christian Science.
The Christian Scientist Main Book Science And Health With Key To The Scriptures, By Rev Mary Baker Eddy Explains The Blble. The Pastors Of The Christian Science Church, Is The Bible The King James Version, And Science And Health With Key To The Scriptures , By Rev Mary Baker Eddy. She Read The Bible While Praying, When Discovering Christian Science. You Can Get Heal By Reading The Christian Science Main Book, Science And Health With Key To The Scriptures By Rev Mary Baker Eddy.
What about the fairly key part in the Bible that states that Jesus died and rose again, for the forgiveness of all sin, and we are justified through faith alone in Jesus Christ? S&H directly contradicts this. I'd say that's a fairly major flaw.
“It was 30 minutes I’ll never get back” 😂 I was raised with this BS. It was 16 years I’ll never get back
You got beat there lol!
I laughed at that comment too. However, I am glad to have grown up in CS, rather than some hellfire and brimstone version of Christianity. While antiquated, CS has a lot more of an eastern religion feel to it than most protestantism.
Thank you for the video review, and also to the thoughtful commenters. I felt it important to mention the title of Mrs. Eddy's main work is "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures", and her choice of title answers in the simplest of ways the discussion of how the two books relate to each other.
Perhaps try reading Science and Health, attending another service, reading documented healings in the Christian Science Journals, Sentinels, or Heralds spanning 100 yrs, ...Thank you for your comments.
I grew up with a number of Christian scientists and was even an organist at one of their churches. They are able to seek medical treatment when necessary. I've never known any member who didn't. Unfortunately, fundamentalists take it to the extreme and are the ones who give any religion a bad name.
I went to a CS church for a bit, read the Textbook a few times, and wrote a book about it. I find it fascinating and Mary Baker Eddy an unrecognized feminist pioneer. Does it have issues, like being completely out of date, unbiblical, and not really focusing on christian living that is relevant to most of us but strange new age-ish ideas? Yup. Is it dying fast? Absolutely. There's like less than a 1000 churches in America now given there once was like 20,000. I think its around 700 in 2024. Does it have some horrible history and was Mrs. Eddy lost to paranoia near the end? Yup. But, that aside, speaking just in terms of visiting a church like yourself: In my town they were very nice people, very friendly, though maybe it was because I was a new face. I was introduced to the newest member, who had joined 6 years previously. 6 years and no new members? Not a good sign. That's even worse than the fact most of the folks were elderly, leaning in to the stereotype its for the dying who don't like hospitals. I found the services dry. Reading the bible, reading the textbook, just lots of reading, no sermon, just very routine. You may not know that the service was created by Mrs Eddy before her death in 1910 and has not changed. It covers half the year and then is repeated, then repeated again, then again, and will be repeated with the same readings in the same order until there's no more churches standings. While during the week you're supposed to study the "lesson-sermons" as the Sunday service readings are called. So, by the time Sunday rolls around you would have read the few readings for the week multiple times that week, studied them, and now will hear them again with no minister elaborating, then do it again 6 months later, then 6 months later do it again. And, the lesson-sermon might be on something as irrelevant as "atomic power". So for me its very dry, very stuck in the past, not relevant, but I have no issues with the people. I'd rather go to our dry CS church than some others in town that are more mainstream or traditional. I went to another CS church in another state and there was only 6 of us. Also, this service is the done in every CS church worldwide, so all churches are doing the same sunday service in the same order, etc.
Mary baker eddy a Brilliancies ! I been studying different religious beliefs ! Open your mind! Jesus Christ helping people ❤️
CS doesn't believe any healing is Jesus or God, they believe it's down to right-thinking and there is a fault with your thought if you are not seeing healing. A view, from experience, I can say comes with an incredible amount of shame, guilt and pressure.
I was drawn to Christian science for 25 years and what finally pushed me away was she said jesus' s physical blood was not efficacious. And when she tried to heal asa Eddy she failed and said no power could heal his type of heart disease apparently especially her power.
Mrs Eddy did not accept the healing power as hers any more than Jesus did.. both always give the credit to God . Don’t forget she did not heal Asa as she was still understanding the discovery herself at that time but do not forget the well over 100 different diseases she did heal …things that no doctor could heal including people who were literally in their deathbeds.
(On your expectations: maybe not so much "merge" but reconcile...)
This was a good example of the typical experience of a newcomer to Christian Science, slightly confusing and not a lot of explanation from Members. The Outreach in Christian Science varies from church to church, some are great, some are stand-off-ish.
I'd recommend watching "Scientific Healing" by Dr Laurance Doyle (here on UA-cam), he's a Quantum Physicist with the SETI institute. His lectures offer a decent intersection of Christian Science and Natural Science.
Lol. I was raised as a Christian Scientist and I had an entirely different experience than you but I was there every Sunday. I understand your confusion though. Mary Eddy's word is not the end all and be all; she encourages ppl to search for the truth and come to their own conclusions. As for medical care.... I was never denied anything, not Doctors, Dentist or a Psychiatrist (after an extremely traumatic event) and neither were any of my friends from Sunday school. Yes, there are some hard core zealots out there but you'll find those in any religion, thd majority of us seek medical attention while praying and trying to have "right thought" which is something Jesus discusses when healing lepers, the blind and the lame. I'm sorry that your first experience was so boring and jarring (that see-saw thing) and I wish that you had gone to one of our reading rooms first to talk about a few things in advance. They also may have suggested a better Sunday's reading for a new comer than the one you had to sit through (that one is particularly borinzzzzz).
That lesson can be boring, I guess. It is probably one of the most difficult lessons to understand, and the one I struggle with the most. I took a Jewish friend of mine to the lesson "Adam and Fallen Man" because I thought that lesson he could relate to and see how we view the creation story. He liked the lesson and agreed with much of it.
Fascinating, can you tell me what a Christian Science practitioner does for you should you pay them etc? I am curious.
I hope someone can shed some light on my question….
I have a friend who is a devoted CS.
Every year, no matter what her financial circumstances are, she heads across the globe to Boston. Like a journey “the mother ship”.
She is at odds with her family who are very unloving and her mother has virtually disowned her. They are all CS.
Not very Christian behavior.
She checks into the church there, almost like a pilgrimage.
Considering her finances at times have been desperate, she still somehow makes the trip.
I can't speak to this specific situation, but The Mother Church im Boston, which is the CS headquarters, has an annual meeting every year (the next one is coming up this Monday.) Some people make a point to try to attend this meeting in person every year. It's a business meeting that goes over what the church has been doing for the past year, financials, etc and also includes inspirational talks, workshops, and the like. These days they also Livestream it so you don't have to attend in person. I've never been in person, but I hear it's a special experience and it's fun to meet other people there. But there's no expectation of attending the meeting like some sort of pilgrimage. It sounds like your friend has an unfortunate family situation, which I hope will see healing and improvement.
Jesus said there would be two in a field. One would be taken, and one would remain. Jesus spoke in parables bcuz people were not ready for the Truth. " Identify don't compare" . The C.S. you referred to was probably going the Annual Meeting. A week long adventure held in Boston where Members gather. I have never attended but an Class Taught by a C. S. Teacher. I understand "many" Ways. C.S. is just one of the many ways to Spiritual Bliss but I have enjoyed GOD, divine Principle as my sole Teacher. Mrs Eddy only represented Truth through the revelation of truth through Christ consciousness. It's a wonderful place to be. God is Love
I've been to several Christian Science churches and have manifested Christian Science healings after joining a Presbyterian church and a Charasmatic Megachurch and spending time at the UU and solely studying Christian Science. Understanding it in totality is understanding Masonic Spiritualist and Congregationalist Women Led Bible Study traditions as well as many years of Catholic resistance in Wales in the Holy Grail tradition.
I think that the Christian Science denomination went through so many changes over the years. There probably was a lot of holistic science involved in the early days. I doubt it lasted long, given that science is rooted out of Christian belief.
You have misinterpreted Christian Science. The understanding of this Science is of the Christ Consciousness, which one must possess in order to intelligently understand and practice it.
babble on
Why does a church use the term science when their whole belief system is based on unfalsifiable claim(s)?
This ain’t science in the least.
Mic is too good for how hard you smack your lips
Mary Baker Eddy Vs L.Ron Hubbard (Wannabe Healer Vs (Bad)Science Fiction writer)!
The CS church does exactly what Mary Baker Eddy didn't want them to do. Focus on her instead of her spiritual perspective, or the discovery of the underlying law of life that brings about healing and harmony. In conventional Christianity, Christians seems to treat God like a guy in the sky who you have to beg to in order to get your way. Making God a man. God is not man. He is God. There really is a big difference. We can avail ourselves to His blessings if we follow His laws. That's all Christian Science is. It's the SCIENCE of Christianity. I was raised in it and exposed to it, but I do not attend CS churches or gather together with them. I don't really like them. They don't practice the science the way I do. I take it seriously. Also, they ignore too much of the Bible that is LITERAL speech, not figurative.
MY MOTHER FOUND CHRISTIAN SCIENCE 50 YEARS AGO, I STARTED READING TO HER BECAUSE SHE COULDN'T SEE HER VISION WAS REALLY BAD.
ITS BEEN 30 YEARS NOW AND IAM VERY GREATFULL TO HAVE FOUND CHRISTIAN SCIENCE.
I LOVE HOW MUCH ORDER THERE IS IN THE CHURCH , NO SCREAMING, NO LONG SERVICE ITS JUST ONE ONE PERIOD.
OF COURSE THERE IS MUCH TO THE RELIGION , AT FIRST ITS KIND OF CONFUSING BUT AS TIME GOES YOU'LL UNDERSTAND CHRISTIAN SCIENCE
As a Christian fella I can say that Faith comes from hearing and hearing from the word of God alone. Grace through faith in Christ. I also struggle to see how CS has anything to do with Science and Biblical Christianity. I agree when you said that CS is more like an alternative medicine however their teachings are devoid of any true belief of the saving grace through Christ. It’s sad really but I know a lot of nice Christian Scientists who are wonderfully positive and good to be around. To them life is but a dream and nothing is real , sickness is error.
Gotta say tho I went to a CS church in Melbourne just like your experience They had a bible verse on one side and a Mary Baker verse on the other. The building was huge and beautiful And Geeez these people can sing! I just wished they would see Christ as a Saviour rather than just a Way Shower
Great YT Video.
They acknowledge Jesus’ atonement, that man is saved through Christ, and they believe in the resurrection.
Wrong,ringodingo,CS teachings are not "...devoid of any belief of the saving grace..."that just so ignorant.If u did any real study of CS u wouldn't make an ignorant statement like that
Everybody interprets things differently doesn’t make it right or wrong
Pleased Don't At No Time, See Mary Baker Eddy As Having Another Power Of Her Own , Other Than God. The Leader And Founder Of Christian Science, Rev Mary Baker Eddy, Love And Hounor God In His Entirerty More So Than Any Other Church Has. In Giving All The Hounor And Power To God, She Dinied Any Other Power Than God. Praying In Christian Science Is Seeing The Perfection Of God, And Deneying Any Other Power Or Existence Other Than God.
I What To Reply To What This Writer Write About The Bible Lesson, Is Boring. Not At All If You Read The Bible Lesson In It's Entierity, And Really Study It, You Would Get The Spiritual Sense, Of The Bible Lesson In It's Spiritual Essence. These Bible Lessons Are Prepared Long Before In Advance. And As We Study The Bible Lesson In The Quarterly, We Can Relied On The Bible Lesson For Guidance, In Our Daily Lives.
Sadly Christianity has become hypnotism
No discussion
No sermon
No thought means hypnotism
If you said
Compressed blood makes intelligence
Your body temperature compresses blood
Ok you helped someone
But your words are hypnotism.
And God is angry
You must make answers
Another false interpretation of scripture. This is what happens when church history and tradition are removed from the equation. A person comes along who thinks they know best, they get a following of gullible people, and all of a sudden there is a heretical church. Jesus was not just a prophet and teacher, He is GOD come to save us and transform us. Study church history and you will quickly see this is a false church. Also, there is no conflict between science and true church teachings.
Grateful to see this comment. I was raised in CS, now a Christian, and it's disheartening to see this comment section full of CSers touting CS as some kind of panacea when it has caused so much damage to so many individuals and families.
A lifelong resident of Boston, Mass. spoke of Christian Science as "the Mary Baker Eddy cult". As a student of Christian Science for 35 years I Knew them as loving students of the KJ V bible along with MBE writings much like today's televangelists. MBE was an evangelist from 1850 -1910. She convinced her followers to support her in a wealthy lifestyle until her death.
If you investigate a bit further, you’ll find that a great many, if not most of Mary Baker Eddy’s students in the first 30 years of her ministry started out fairly poor. She taught those followers how to heal as Jesus taught his students how to heal, and because her students’ healing record was in most cases far more successful than the medical field’s, she instructed them to charge an amount comparable to what MD’s were charging. This gave the followers an income, especially for women, who had still very few rights or liberties at that time. It is only because of their success rate that over time, these indigent healers gained a degree of wealth.
WRONG,Tonation,u have it totally out of context"She convinced her followers to support her in a wealthy lifestyle until her death"U have no idea what ur talking about--Mrs Eddy did no such thing.U have not read the biographies that explain clearly she didn't do that.U are no authority on CS.What an ignorant statement.
Shameful
This is not a denomination. It is a cult.
and one that abuses children by denying medical attention
Christian Science is not a denomination of Christianity.
I can see how you were confused by CS.
I would 2nd the watching of Dr Doyle. If you are truly into Science, the science of Christian Science can be boiled down quite beautifully into Quantum Physics. How much of an atom has mass?
When you find this answer you will better understand Christian Science. ❤ much love