Christian Science The Mother Church in Boston, MA

What is Christian Science? Based on works of Jesus Based on works of Jesus Authority comes from the Bible Authority comes from the Bible Major part of Christian Science is healing of physical disease and sin by spiritual means alone Major part of Christian Science is healing of physical disease and sin by spiritual means alone 3,200 churches in 48 countries exist today 3,200 churches in 48 countries exist today Christian Science is NOT Scientology which was founded 75 years after Christian Science and is not even a Christian denomination. Christian Science is NOT Scientology which was founded 75 years after Christian Science and is not even a Christian denomination.

History Founded by Mary Baker Eddy in Boston, Massachusetts Founded by Mary Baker Eddy in Boston, Massachusetts 1879 – Formal organization of Church of Christ Scientist as voted by Eddy and her students 1879 – Formal organization of Church of Christ Scientist as voted by Eddy and her students 1881 – Eddy opens a metaphysical college and charges $300 for 12 healing lessons 1881 – Eddy opens a metaphysical college and charges $300 for 12 healing lessons 1883 – Founding of Christian Science Monitor 1883 – Founding of Christian Science Monitor 1892 – Reorganization of church 1892 – Reorganization of church 1895 – Manual of the Mother Church, the church manual first issued 1895 – Manual of the Mother Church, the church manual first issued

Mary Baker Eddy Born Mary Ann Morse Baker in New Hampshire in 1821 Born Mary Ann Morse Baker in New Hampshire in 1821 Daughter of New Hampshire Congressionalist church member Daughter of New Hampshire Congressionalist church member Often sick Often sick Influenced by Phineas P. Quimby – a mental healer Influenced by Phineas P. Quimby – a mental healer Published Science and the Health with Key to the Scriptures in 1875 Published Science and the Health with Key to the Scriptures in 1875 Died in 1910 Died in 1910

The Marriages of Mary Baker Eddy Eddy married George Glover in 1843 at age 22 Eddy married George Glover in 1843 at age 22 Glover died seven months later Glover died seven months later Eddy married Dr. Daniel Patterson, but later got divorced Eddy married Dr. Daniel Patterson, but later got divorced Married Asa Eddy in 1877 Married Asa Eddy in 1877

Publications Founded by Mary Baker Eddy in 1883: Founded by Mary Baker Eddy in 1883: Christian Science Monitor – monthly publication Christian Science Monitor – monthly publication Christian Science Sentinel – weekly publication Christian Science Sentinel – weekly publication Christian Science Herald – publication printed in foreign languages Christian Science Herald – publication printed in foreign languages

The Tenets of Christian Science 1. The inspired Word of the Bible is the only guide to eternal life 2. Acknowledge one infinite God, his son one Christ, the Holy Ghost (Divine Comforter), and man in God’s image 3. Acknowledge God’s forgiveness of sin 4. Acknowledge Jesus’ atonement as God’s love and that man is saved through Christ, Truth, Life, and Love

The Tenets of Christian Science 5. Acknowledge that Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection served to help people understand eternal Life 6. Promise to do unto other as they would to do them and to be merciful, just, and pure.

Beliefs Christian Scientists believe God is: Christian Scientists believe God is: Infinite, divine Mind, Sprit, Soul, Principle, Life, Truth, and Love Infinite, divine Mind, Sprit, Soul, Principle, Life, Truth, and Love Human thought is the saving power of divine Truth Human thought is the saving power of divine Truth Through a scientific understanding in God, all sin, sickness, fear, or ignorance can be overcome Through a scientific understanding in God, all sin, sickness, fear, or ignorance can be overcome

Purpose Salvation for all mankind Salvation for all mankind Healing based on spiritual means Healing based on spiritual means Church maintains sanatoriums where nurses are trained to help people through their healing process Church maintains sanatoriums where nurses are trained to help people through their healing process No medical aid No medical aid Some exceptions: midwife or doctor at childbirth, surgeon for broken bone Some exceptions: midwife or doctor at childbirth, surgeon for broken bone

Church Government All churches are branched from the Mother Church All churches are branched from the Mother Church Board of Directors govern the church Board of Directors govern the church If a spot on the Board is vacant, a Member of the Mother Church is elected by the remaining Board members If a spot on the Board is vacant, a Member of the Mother Church is elected by the remaining Board members The first branch in the community is called The First Church of Christ, Scientist The first branch in the community is called The First Church of Christ, Scientist

Services Conducted by a First and Second Reader Conducted by a First and Second Reader Sunday services consist of: Sunday services consist of: Reading of a Lesson-Sermon which is composed of excerpts from both the Bible and Eddy’s Science and Health Reading of a Lesson-Sermon which is composed of excerpts from both the Bible and Eddy’s Science and Health Wednesday meetings – Church members share their testimonies of healing, saving, and guiding power of God Wednesday meetings – Church members share their testimonies of healing, saving, and guiding power of God

Christian Science vs. Catholicism Christian Science Christian Science No clergy No clergy Do not recognize the Pope as head of church Do not recognize the Pope as head of church Do not believe in medical aid Do not believe in medical aid Use both the Bible and Science and Health with Key to the Scripture Use both the Bible and Science and Health with Key to the Scripture Believe that evil is a lie about God and His creation Believe that evil is a lie about God and His creation Celebrate baptism and Eucharist Celebrate baptism and Eucharist Do not consider marriage a sacrament Do not consider marriage a sacrament Catholicism Have a clergy Recognize the Pope as the head of the Church Believe in the use of medical aid Use only the Bible Believe that evil exists Celebrate seven sacraments Consider marriage a sacrament

Famous Christian Scientists Jill Carroll – reporter for The Christian Science Monitor who was recently taken hostage in Iraq but was later released Jill Carroll – reporter for The Christian Science Monitor who was recently taken hostage in Iraq but was later released Val Kilmer - actor Val Kilmer - actor Marilyn Monroe - actress Marilyn Monroe - actress Michael Nesmith – singer from The Monkees Michael Nesmith – singer from The Monkees Mickey Rooney - actor Mickey Rooney - actor Ellen DeGeneres – comedian, actress Ellen DeGeneres – comedian, actress