Path: christian Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian From: Cole Keirsey Subject: Re: Who knows what a Christian Scientist is? Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu I believe that Jesus was the son of God; that he was born of the virgin Mary; that he taught, healed, cast out evil, and raised the dead; that he was crucified and resurrected after the death of his body; that he ascended to heaven; that his purpose was to free humanity from sin. That's what Christian Science teaches and what I believe about Jesus Christ. I accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. In a nutshell, that is what I think makes me, and other Christian Scientists, Christian. What Christian Science teaches does differ radically on some points from certain fundamentalist Christian doctrines. Articles that point out those differences make a worthwhile contribution to soc.religion.christian. But I think some of what has appeared here recently misrepresents my denomination, its founder, and the beliefs and practices of Christian Scientists. Two particular misrepresentation deserves special attention: First, an article in this thread seemed to imply that Christian Scientists are reluctant to speak openly about what their denomination teaches. Such an implication is plainly false. At the end of this article, I've included Mary Baker Eddy's statement of the tenets of Christian Science from "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." These tenets are an excellent summary of our beliefs. Second, the same article quoted Mrs. Eddy as saying: "If there had never existed such a person as the Galilean Prophet (Jesus), it would make no difference to me" The following is from the pamphlet "What Makes Christian Science Christian," which describes the above quotation as "invariably plucked from context by religious critics." "Although her [Mrs. Eddy's] writings are characterized by constant references to the supreme importance of Jesus' life and example, detractors look instead to isolated passages which they can twist to their own meaning. In this case Mrs. Eddy was describing what she said to an agnostic detractor who had challenged her on the proof of Jesus' existence. She followed the word quoted with "I should still know that God's spiritual ideal is the only real man in His image and likeness." [Miscellany, p179] In not wholly dissimilar terms the evangelist Billy Graham has stated that even if "there were no historical record of Jesus' life and ministry, He would still be real to me because I know Him by personal and daily experience." The implication that Mrs. Eddy denied the historical record of Jesus Christ or his paramount importance to Christian faith is insupportable: nothing could be further from the truth. It has been correctly pointed out that Christian Science is based on a particular interpretation of the Bible. That interpretation is clearly stated in Mrs. Eddy's published writings, which are easily available to anyone who wants to read them. Students of Christian Science study the Bible (the King James translation in English-speaking countries) and Mrs. Eddy's book "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures", usually every day. We do not think of Mrs. Eddy's writings as replacing or adding to the Bible, or as a "second Bible." Here are some of the real differences between Christian Science teachings and fundamentalist theology, as I understand it: Christian Science teaches universal salvation. It denies the existence of a literal hell where people are eternally punished. Christian Science teaches the existence of a probationary state after death. (I'm not quite sure how this relates to the current discussion in s.r.c of purgatory.) It denies the reality of Satan -- of an intelligent power opposed to God. Quoting again from "What makes Christian Science Christian:" "There is a legitimate theological difference, to be sure, between Christian Scientists and denominations which believe Jesus to be God. But Christian Scientists do believe that he demonstrated fully and uniquely man's spiritual sonship with God. ...they gratefully acknowledge the Messiahship of Christ Jesus, his human and divine role in history as the mediator between God and men, the 'only immaculate,' the 'highest earthly representative of God,' 'Jesus the God-crowned or divinely royal man.' (Science and Health pp 52 and 313)" Christian Science teaches that the story of Adam and Eve is allegorical, and not a literal or historical account of the origin of humanity. In regard to some current threads in soc.religion.christian, Christian Science teaches that equality of the sexes and freedom from racial and social prejudice are in accord with God's will. Christian Scientists think that all of these beliefs are consistent with the Bible, the objections of literalists and inerrantists notwithstanding. Here are some additional things which have appeared in soc.religion.christian that I think misrepresent Christian Science: It has been persistently insinuated in this thread that Mrs. Eddy's medical records indicate she lived her personal life inconsistently with what she taught. I've studied the historical record, which clearly shows such claims to be false. As I said before, on the very rare occasions when Mrs. Eddy had the help of a doctor to relieve pain, she acted in accord with what she taught; and students of Christian Science may take similar measures when necessary. Mrs. Eddy relied consistently and effectively on prayer for healing, and medical records do not show otherwise. An article in this thread quoted Mrs. Eddy on Jesus' crucifixion. The emphasis (capitals) was added by the editor for that article. The part shown here in lower-case text was (conveniently) omitted from the quotation in that article. "The spiritual essence of blood is sacrifice. The efficacy of Jesus' spiritual offering is infinitely greater than can be expressed by our sense of human blood. THE MATERIAL BLOOD OF JESUS WAS NO MORE EFFICACIOUS TO CLEANSE FROM SIN WHEN IT WAS SHED UPON "THE CURSED TREE" THAN WHEN IT WAS FLOWING THROUGH HIS VEINS AS HE WENT DAILY ABOUT HIS FATHER'S BUSINESS." (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures pg 24-25) The article went on to imply from this quotation that Christian Science teaches that Jesus' sacrifice on the cross had no effect. On the contrary, the import of this quotation is that his sacrifice did show us the way out of sin, and that his life before the crucifixion was equally effective in showing us how to overcome sin. Jesus often forgave sin during his years of ministry. When he did this, it was no less effective because no blood was shed. I believe it was necessary that Jesus' sacrifice fulfill prophecy and fit with the pattern of Jewish sacrificial atonement. But I see no reason to limit the meaning of the crucifixion to the literal pattern of ancient Jewish rituals of blood sacrifice. Christian Science teaching is different from the fundamentalist position that we are saved by faith alone. I believe that the only way to overcome sin is through Jesus Christ-- by following his example and teaching. I believe that this way is not one I can create myself, but that it is freely given by God. But I also believe I must actively follow this way, by my works, to claim the victory over sin. And this is what the full context of the above quotation is saying: that accepting Jesus as the way does not relieve us of the responsibility of taking up our own crosses and following him. Here are the tenets of Christian Science from pages 496-497 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy. ****** "Question. -- have Christian Scientists any religious creed?" "Answer. -- They have not, if by that term is meant doctrinal beliefs. The following is a brief exposition of the important points, or religious tenets, of Christian Science: -- "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." ****** cck