CHRISTIAN SCIENCE
Is it Christian or Scientific?
by Dale Brown
by Dale Brown
It has been said about Christian Science that like grape nuts, it is neither grapes nor nuts. However the name appeals to many that may think a Christian heritage linked to Science might possibly be the best of both worlds. Mary Baker Eddy (1821-1910), founded her religion based on what she claimed are the scientific laws of God which she published in her book Science and Health with Keys to the Scriptures in 1875. Much of her inspiration came from a spiritual healer named Phineas P. Quimby whose ideas she freely plagiarized. She incorporated her church in 1879. Much of the church’s teaching focuses on healing with the help of church practitioners who teach mind over matter and illusion. Christian Science falls within the mind science family of American born religions. Like the Unity School of Christianity and others in this category, Christian language is used but one will find with a bit of investigation that many of the definitions have been changed. Though the Bible is often quoted, like many cults, it is interpreted through the looking glass of the newly inspired religious book, in this case Science and Health. Christian Science attacks nearly every cardinal doctrine of the historical Christian faith and in many cases even logic in general. The following quotes from Science and Health make for a clear illustration.
"Again, God, or good, never made man capable of sin. It is the opposite of good — that is, evil — which seems to make man capable of wrong-doing. Evil is a false belief. God is not its author. The supposititious parent of evil is a lie."
The Bible clearly teaches that man is capable of sin, and it was for this reason that Christ died on the cross, to atone for our sin.
Mary Baker Eddy claimed, "If sin, sickness, and death were understood as nothingness, they would disappear."
The logic here is, if you can think beyond the illusion of sin you would not only have no sin or sickness, but believe it or not, you would never die. The problem however is that no Christian Scientist has escaped death yet. Apparently, if the Jews had been able to understand the Holocaust as "nothingness" they would not have perished. This is clear deception. The Bible never denies the existence of sin or pain. Jesus said, "In the world you have tribulation. . ." Apostle Paul wrote, "Therefore, just as through one man [Adam] sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned" (Rom. 5:12). John the apostle wrote, "If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us" (1 Jn. 1:8) Sin is such a reality that John goes on to write, "If we confess our sins, He (Christ) is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 Jn. 1:9). We are not to ignore sin but to confess it as a reality in need of redemption.
The logic here is, if you can think beyond the illusion of sin you would not only have no sin or sickness, but believe it or not, you would never die. The problem however is that no Christian Scientist has escaped death yet. Apparently, if the Jews had been able to understand the Holocaust as "nothingness" they would not have perished. This is clear deception. The Bible never denies the existence of sin or pain. Jesus said, "In the world you have tribulation. . ." Apostle Paul wrote, "Therefore, just as through one man [Adam] sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned" (Rom. 5:12). John the apostle wrote, "If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us" (1 Jn. 1:8) Sin is such a reality that John goes on to write, "If we confess our sins, He (Christ) is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 Jn. 1:9). We are not to ignore sin but to confess it as a reality in need of redemption.
Christian Science rejects the blood atonement of Christ.
"The material blood of Jesus was no more efficacious to cleanse from sin when it was shed upon ‘the accursed tree,’ than when it was flowing in his veins as he went daily about his Father’s business."Apparently Christians everywhere who take of the communion cup have been lead astray, that is, until Mary Baker Eddy came along.
"The material blood of Jesus was no more efficacious to cleanse from sin when it was shed upon ‘the accursed tree,’ than when it was flowing in his veins as he went daily about his Father’s business."Apparently Christians everywhere who take of the communion cup have been lead astray, that is, until Mary Baker Eddy came along.
Attacking the deity of Christ Mrs. Eddy claimed Jesus was not God on page 473 of Science and Health and claimed that "Jesus is the human man, and Christ is the divine idea. . ."The Bible never calls Christ "the divine idea." When Jesus asked Peter who he thought He was, Peter said simply, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matt. 16:16).
In the Holy Name of Science?
"His [Jesus’] mission was to reveal the Science of celestial being, to prove what God is and what He does for man." "His proof of Christianity was no form or system of religion and worship, but Christian Science, working out the harmony of Life and Love." "He laid the axe of Science at the root of material knowledge…"
Mary got an idea!
"The Virgin-mother conceived this idea of God, and gave to her ideal the name of Jesus — that is, Joshua, or Savior. The illumination of Mary’s spiritual sense put to silence material law and its order of generation, and brought forth her child by the revelation of Truth, demonstrating God as the Father of men."
This implies that it was Mary’s will rather God’s that brought about the virgin birth.
An answer to the question "What is man?" on page 475 of Science and Health we read "Man is not matter; he is not made up of brain, blood, bones, and other material elements." Remember that the next time you look in the mirror. You don’t exist. This is the insanity of Christian Science.
Under the title of "fruitage" Christian Science publishes many testimonies of claims of miraculous healings as a result of this so-called science. Though it is possible that some people are helped by way of psychosomatics it is also likely that the healing could come as a counterfeit means of deception as did the miracles of sorcerers in the Bible. For every true miracle of God there is also a counterfeit. Apostle Paul references the Exodus story where Moses is challenged by the magicians of Pharaoh’s court.
Christian Science dismisses all evil and the devil as "error" mythology and superstition which can be disposed of through attaining the Christ mind. Jesus however cast out demons who had personalities and He clearly identified the devil as a spiritual person (Mark 5:1-20)
The Science and Health glossary - A metaphysical interpretation of Bible terms:
Death is "an illusion." [Remind yourself that while attending a funeral]
"Matter has no life, hence it has no real existence." [The next time the Christian Scientist sits on a tack, or smashes their thumb with a hammer they should be reminded that the tack and hammer had "no real existence."]
Hell is "mortal belief; error, lust …sin, sickness, death." The Bible however says hell is the lake of fire and destination of sinners who reject Jesus Christ.
Holy Ghost is [you guessed it] Divine Science. The Bible however teaches that the Holy Ghost (or Spirit) is the third member of the Godhead.
Mary Baker Eddy was obviously a false prophet.
"Many false prophets will arise, and will mislead many." Jesus Christ (Matt. 24:11)
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