1 Timothy 3:15 “But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.”

There’s a good chance you’ve never heard about Christian Science if not don’t feel bad many haven’t. What is Christian Science and where did it come from and is it truly Christian? That’s the question we’re concerned with.

EARLY BEGINNINGS

Mary Baker Eddy was born Mary Morse Baker in Bow, New Hampshire to farmer Mark Baker and his wife Abigail Barnard Baker. Eddy was the youngest of six children: Mark Baker was a religious man from a Protestant background and firm believer in the Bible. Eddy and her father didn’t have the best of relationships. Her father was reported to hand out harsh punishment towards her with her mother at sometimes coming in-between.

Eddy would experience periods of illness she would suddenly fall to the floor, becoming unconscious for hours sometimes. She also may have suffered from an eating disorder.

In 1862 Eddy became a patient of Phineas Quimby, a magnetic healer from Maine. Quimby and Eddy engaged in discussions about healing methods practised, it’s a good chance that’s where she acquired her influence. Quimby conducted hypnotic treatments of her physical conditions. Eddy then dabbled in spiritualism even claiming to have channelled the spirit of Abraham Lincoln. She also had beliefs in Hinduism and Eastern religions, from the Christian Science website we read.

Mary Baker Eddy (1821–1910) considered herself a spiritual pioneer whose work encompassed the disciplines of science, theology, and medicine.

A lifelong student of the Bible, she gained a powerful insight in 1866 when she experienced a dramatic recovery from a life-threatening accident after reading Jesus’ healings. From that pivotal moment, she sought an understanding of how she had been healed. She returned to the Bible and prayed for answers. It became clear to her that spiritual healing was based on divine laws of God, Spirit, and that these laws could be applied by anyone to heal every form of human suffering and sin. — www.christianscience.com

TENENTS OF CHRISTIAN SCIENCE

CS says: God is infinite . . . and there is no other power or source, S&H 471:18. 

Bible says: While Christians will agree that God is infinite/eternal the other half of the above statement is not true. We read that there are thrones, and dominions and principalities and powers.

Ephesians 1:21 “Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:”

Ephesians 6:12 “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places].”

Colossians 1:16 “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:”

Verses proving there are other powers besides God Himself are: Daniel 10:20–21, 2 Corinthians 11:14, Philippians 2:9–10, Jude 1:9, Revelation 12:9 

CS says: God is Universal Principle, S&H 331:18–19. 

Bible says: God’s word says that the Father is God, a person that He’s Holy righteous and just; not a universal principle or idea?!

1 Samuel 2:2 “[There is] none holy as the LORD: for [there is] none beside thee: neither [is there] any rock like our God.”

Psalms 96:9 “O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.”

John 4:24 “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”

1 Peter 1:16 “Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”

CS says: God cannot indwell a person, S&H 336:19–20. 

Bible says: John chapter 14 speaks on quite the opposite stating believers do have God indwelling in them, speaking of the Holy Spirit (Comforter) who is God. Additionally, the scriptures identifies the Holy Spirit as “He”.

John 14:16, 17 “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.”

John 16:13 “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”

CS says: God is the only intelligence in the universe, including man S&H 330:11–12. 

Bible says: God is not the only “intelligence in the universe” if that were so then we as mankind born in sin wouldn’t need a Saviour, there would be no need for the sacrifice of the Son of God who I’m eternally grateful for. If the above statement were true the satan, angels and mankind could never be held responsible for their actions. That’s why God tells us to repent to have a change of mind.

Repent — μετανοέω metanoéō, met-an-o-eh’-o; from G3326 and G3539; to think differently or afterwards, i.e. reconsider (morally, feel compunction): — repent.

CS says: God is Mind, S&H 330:20–21; 469:13.

Bible says: God is not “Mind” He’s a Spirit and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). A mind cannot be called “He” or “Him” or “Father”.

CS says: God is the Father-Mother, S&H l 331:30; 332:4. 

Bible says: The whole “Mother” rubbish comes from paganism all of the “mother earth” and gaia paganism looking to make creation god. There is no mother god in the Bible that’s a fiction of Mary Baker Eddy’s imagination.

CS says: The Trinity is Life, Truth, and Love, S&H 331:26. 

Bible says: “Life, Truth and Love” aren’t persons, the “Trinity” or Godhead as the correct biblical terminology is that God is 3 distinct persons all 1 God having the same divine nature.

Matthew 28:19 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: ”

John 15:26 “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, [even] the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:”

1 John 5:7–8 “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. ”

CS says: Jesus was not the Christ, S&H 333:3–15; 334:3.

Bible says: How can Christian Science call themselves such when they deny The Lord Jesus Christ Himself? In all of the scriptures, we read that Jesus is the Christ.

1 Timothy 2:5 “For [there is] one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; ”

Acts 2:38 “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”

Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”

And this is the dividing truth which makes Christian Science or any other group or sect that denies the deity of The Lord Jesus Christ a cult. All cults deny Him in some way and divert either slightly or tremendously in beliefs as is the case here.

CS says: “Jesus Christ is not God, as Jesus himself declared . . . ” S&H 361:12–13. 

Bible says: The Lord Jesus Himself did say He is God, He proved it by the miracles He performed He told the Pharisees who He was and they killed Him because of the claims He made being the Son of God, God in the flesh. This verse in Isaiah speaking of the Lord Jesus says:

Isaiah 9:6 “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

John 1:1–3 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.”

John 8:58 “Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.”

Verses speaking of Christ Jesus as God are: John 10:30, John 1:14, 1 Corinthians 8:6, Colossians 1:15–17, John 20:28, John 14:9, John 1:2, John 14:6, John 5:19–29 

CS says: Jesus did not reflect the fullness of God, S&H 336:20–21. 

Bible says: Once again they contradict God’s word, in Colossians it specifically mentions He that is the Lord Jesus has the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

Colossians 2:9 “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.”

John 3:34 “For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.”

CS says: Jesus did not die, S&H 45:32–46:3. 

Bible says: The Lord Jesus said Himself that He was dead and is now alive, dead couldn’t hold Him.

Revelation 1:18 “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”

Psalms 16:10 “For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.”

Acts 2:24 “Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.”

Other outrageous unbiblical beliefs from Christian Science are:

1. The Holy Spirit is divine science, S&H 331:31.
2. There is no devil, S&H 469:13–17.
3. There is no sin, S&H 447:24.
4. Evil and good are not real, S&H 330:25–27; 470:9–14.
5. “Matter, sin, and sickness are not real, but only illusions,” S&H 335:7–15; 447:27–28.
6. “Life is not material or organic,” S&H 83:21.
7. “The sacrifice of Jesus was not sufficient to cleanse from sin,” S&H 25:6.
8. “True healings are the result of true belief,” S&H 194:6. 

As we see the heresy is off the charts, Mary Baker Eddy rejects foundational Christian doctrines in regards to angels and devils, heaven and hell, worst of all the denial of the atonement of Christ’s crucifixion etc. Eddy attempts to intermingle Gnostic teachings with a “Christian” beliefs.

The later epistles address this very reason, Gnostic teachings were threatening the early church. The Apostle John wrote 1 John in order to oppose the early Gnostics. The following verses tell us ungodly men tried infiltrating the church and we see the rotten fruit of its teachings today.

1 John 4:2 “Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: ”

Colossians 2:8 “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. ”

1 Timothy 6:20–21 “O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane [and] vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: Which some professing have erred concerning the faith…”

Jude 1:4 “For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.”

LETTER FROM EDDY

Writing a letter to the Portland Evening Courier stating, “that Christ was the cure:” and while Christ is the cure she didn’t understand that He was the cure for sin, to grant unto us eternal life for those who believe.

Christian Science is a dangerous practice because there are cases in which individuals had curable diseases but because they placed their faith in the teachings of Eddy who teaches “sickness are not real, but only illusions” then you never need a doctor or medicine. I’m a firm believer that doctor visits or medicine isn’t always the answer or necessary but the option should never be off the table.

The Christian Science follower solely believes that you can heal all illnesses and diseases by faith and prayer. As a Christian myself I absolutely believe prayer works but we shouldn’t negate other resources for our health. Its the same idea the Jehovah Witnesses have when it comes to them being against blood transfusions.

VICTIMS OF FAITH HEALING

These cases show the need to remove religious exemptions from child health care requirements. Surely they illustrate the fact that the state cannot always protect children with court orders. People have many inhibitions about reporting child abuse. — childrenshealthcare.org

Ian Lundman, age 11, died of diabetes in 1989 in suburban Minneapolis. His father had left Christian Science, but did not have custody. The boy lost weight and became lethargic. A school official noticed a fruity odor on Ian’s breath, a classic diabetes symptom, but did not recognize it as such nor did she know his mother and stepfather had religious beliefs against medical care.

They retained a Christian Science practitioner for spiritual treatment of Ian’s illness. The practitioner billed them $446 for his prayers over two days.

An unlicensed Christian Science nurse sat by Ian’s bedside for the last five hours of his life as he lay in a diabetic coma. She knew that he did not respond to anyone. She observed his vomiting, labored breathing, excessive urination, facial spasms, and clenched teeth. Nevertheless, her concept of care was to give him drops of water through a straw and to tie a sandwich bag and washcloth around his scrotum. She did not call for medical help or ask his mother to obtain it. Read full story here — childrenshealthcare.org 

Sixteen-year-old son Neil Beagley became very ill shortly after the death of his little niece Ava in March, 2008. His parents Jeff and Marci Beagley were members of the Followers of Christ congregation in Oregon who eschew medical care in favor of communal prayer, the laying on of hands, and anointing with olive oil. Neil’s aunt reported to the Department of Human Services that Neil’s throat was closed up, he was having trouble breathing, and she was afraid he might die. Marci later testified that she too was afraid Neil would die but did not express that fear to the DHS worker who visited the home. Instead, both parents asserted that Neil only had a cold or perhaps a case of the flu. Read full story here — childrenshealthcare.org 

Matthew Swan, age 16 months, died of spinal meningitis in 1977 in Detroit, Michigan. His parents, Doug and Rita Swan, both lifelong Christian Scientists, retained Christian Science practitioners for spiritual “treatments.”

The practitioners repeatedly said they were healing Matthew. Symptoms were reinterpreted as evidence of healing. For example, one practitioner who observed the baby’s convulsions said he might be “gritting his teeth” because he was “planning some great achievement.” The practitioners demanded more faith and gratitude from the Swans. They complained that the Swans’ fears and other sins were obstructing their treatment.

Here are others who became victims to medical neglect on the part of faith healing Austin Amy Robyn Andrew Harrison Nancy Dennis Arrian Zachery Troy Shauntay Rhett. — childrenshealthcare.org

CONCLUSION

Christian Science teaches that man does not have a sinful nature and is a reflection of Divine Mind. “Salvation,” is finding the true reality of understanding revealed in Christian Science teachings from Mary Baker Eddy, the woman who founded the cult in the 1870’s and aren’t from God.

Christian Science has only produced unbiblical and false doctrines. Eternal destruction is the only thing that will result from its false teaching. The fires of hell will be a harsh reality for anyone that’s been taught they don’t exist.

Christian Science followers need salvation they’re lost and dead in sins and are in need of a Saviour which is The Lord Jesus Christ. If you’re a Christian Science believer this is not meant to be hateful towards you it’s to wake you up to the true gospel. The Bible says you can be deceived in believing a false Jesus, spirit and gospel.

2 Corinthians 11:4 “For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.”

We Christian Science followers to come to know the true Jesus Christ, Spirit and Gospel. The Lord Jesus first words in the Gospel of John was “Come and see” (John 1:39), we say the same to you “Come and see”.

Psalms 34:8 “O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.”

Will would come to the Saviour of sinners, the Prince of Peace, the Great Physician? He can pull you out of the darkness and into His glorious light. The Lord Jesus Christ in the Gospel of John said:

John 5:39–5:40 “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.”

Ezekiel 33:11 “Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?”

God bless.