Exposed To Christian Science
Posted by Rey
The Christian Science Headquarters was incredibly impressive with its towering Corinthian columns or its courtyard consisting of rectangular(ish) columns decorated with a huge glass light bulb whose lights would reflect off the large and silent pool that culminated in a public fountain. Around the bend sat an impressive building with a waterfall wall softly cascading into a 2 inch pool over black granite creating this highly modern architectural statement made more impressive by the constant Mary Baker Eddy quotes.
The quotes were everywhere—especially in the neo-classical church building with the Biblical stories illustrated on stained glass. Passing through large wooden doors one would feel a tremendously religious environmental wash.
The disciples within the building were full of smiles and wanting to expose me to literature and even pointed me in the direction of the Mary Baker Eddy library which housed tons of Christian Science magazines and commentaries by the “denominational” founder.
Passing through the small library doors I was greeted by a young lady who explained how Mary brought her closer to God by exposing her to the power of prayer over any situation that she encountered. From here she began to relate her personal experience of prayer helping her during financial need.
So I sat down to read Mary’s commentary starting with chapter one on Prayer and one thing came to the fore: Mind Over Matter. It was a theme really, how Mary had withdrawn with a Bible for three years and discovered the Truth of what it was saying: that it revealed the Divine Mind and therein showed what is the only thing that can help Man over his weaknesses—the Power of Prayer and Belief over our weaknesses.
Here most people would say “there’s nothing wrong with that—mind over matter is true.” To which I will answer, “to an extant.” There is a component where our minds can really hinder the way we deal with things but there is not a single instance where we can say Mind is over everything. I’ll have to unpack that eventually.
So, I left the library deeply troubled by what Christian Scientists believe.
3 Responses to “Exposed To Christian Science”
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May 29th, 2007 at 7:34 am
Dear Rey,
It sounds as if you enjoyed your Boston visit to the Christian Science church and its surroundings. Until, of course, you became troubled from what you read and discerned from reading the book, “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.”
If I may, I would make a suggestion:
Keep in thought that when Mrs. Eddy writes about Mind (capital ‘M’) she is referring to God. ‘Mind’ is one of seven names or synonyms for God that she discovered in the Bible (during the three years you refer to). (See Science & Health, page 465, line 7-8 on the next page). Also, page 469, line 12 (ibid.)
When I was first ‘exposed’ to Christian Science, I too was a bit confused by what I read and heard. (I was working as a research technician in cancer research). The confusion left in proportion as I understood God to be infinite - the only power, the only intelligence, the only presence: omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent.
For 30 years my understanding continues. Along the way, all my human needs - and that of my family - have been met by turning to God and His laws.
This statement was helpful to me in the beginning and still is:
S&H 494:10-15
“Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need. It is not well to imagine that Jesus demonstrated the divine power to heal only for a select number or for a limited period of time, since to all mankind and in every hour, divine Love supplies all good.
The miracle of grace is no miracle to Love.”
I hope these few comments are helpful - and not presumptuous.
Lynne
May 29th, 2007 at 7:38 am
I’m not sure I understand, “Your comment is awaiting moderation. ”
But here is a shortened version:
Dear Rey,
It sounds as if you enjoyed your Boston visit to the Christian Science church and its surroundings. Until, of course, you became troubled from what you read and discerned from reading the book, “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.”
If I may, I would make a suggestion:
Keep in thought that when Mrs. Eddy writes about Mind (capital ‘M’) she is referring to God. ‘Mind’ is one of seven names or synonyms for God that she discovered in the Bible (during the three years you refer to). (See Science & Health, page 465, line 7-8 on the next page). Also, page 469, line 12 (ibid.)
When I was first ‘exposed’ to Christian Science, I too was a bit confused by what I read and heard. (I was working as a research technician in cancer research). The confusion left in proportion as I understood God to be infinite - the only power, the only intelligence, the only presence: omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent.
For 30 years the understanding continues but along the way, all my human needs - and that of my family - have been met by turning to God and His laws.
I hope these few comments are helpful - and not presumptuous.
Lynne
May 29th, 2007 at 8:06 am
Sometimes, comments go into moderation (a holding queue that is checked over by the administrator–myself) if this is the first time a person has commented or if there are multiple links in the commentor’s post. This helps alleviate spam, really.
I’ll be posting about Christian Science in the following days so everyone should be forwarned but my basic premise is that although God is infinite, the only power, the only intelligence who is omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent He also presenced Himself as man in the flesh, died man in the flesh for sins, for God, as a redeemer of a physical creation and was resurrected man in the flesh and is awaiting to judge man as a peer. This can be examined in John 1, John 3, Acts 2, Acts 17, Acts 24, Romans 1, Romans 2, Romans 3, Romans 8, and so on…there are just way too many references.
In other words, it is my contention that although Mary Baker Eddy used the Bible to support her philosophy of mind over matter, she ignored what the Bible was plainly saying. I’ll be covering that over the next few days.