Christian Science
![]() The First Church of Christ, Scientist, Christian Science Center, Boston, Massachusetts. The original Mother Church (1894) is in the foreground and behind it the Mother Church Extension (1906).[1] | |
Founder | Mary Baker Eddy (1821–1910) |
---|---|
Texts | The Bible and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy |
Members | Estimated between 400,000 and 100,000 worldwide in 1990; [2][3] |
Beliefs | "Basic teachings", Church of Christ, Scientist |
Website | |
christianscience.com |
Christian Science (formally called "The First Church of Christ, Scientist") is a Christian restorationist religious movement.[4] It was founded in 19th-century New England by Mary Baker Eddy.
One of the religion's key beliefs says that practicing Christian Science can heal illnesses.[5][6] However, there are no rules against seeking medical care.[5]
Name
[change | change source]The name "Christian Science" can be an informal name for the church, or it can describe what Eddy called the "Science" or "Law" of God.[7]
Christian Science's official website states:[5]
[Our] practice is Christian—living according to Jesus’ teaching and example. And [our] practice is scientific—living according to the spiritual laws of God that can be learned, understood, and proven through healing and regeneration.
Beliefs
[change | change source]Mary Baker Eddy said in her book Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures (1875) that prayer is effective and can heal disease.[6] She described God as "Principle, Mind, Spirit, Soul, Life, Truth, Love".[8]
Other websites
[change | change source]References
[change | change source]- ↑ "Christian Science Center Complex", Boston Landmarks Commission, Environment Department, City of Boston, January 25, 2011 (hereafter Boston Landmarks Commission 2011), pp. 6–12.
- ↑ Rodney, Stark. "The rise and fall of Christian science". Journal of Contemporary Religion.
- ↑ Judy Valente, "Christian Science Healing", PBS, August 1, 2008.
- ↑ Farhadian, Charles E. (2015). Introducing World Religions: A Christian Engagement. Baker Academic. ISBN 9781441246509.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "How can I be healed?". Christian Science. Retrieved 2025-04-22.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Eddy, Mary Baker. Science and Health. CSPS. p. 1. ISBN 9780879524371.
- ↑ Eddy, Mary Baker. Rudimental Divine Science. CSPS. p. 1.
- ↑ Eddy, Mary Baker. Science and Health. CSPS. p. 587. ISBN 9780879524371.