WHAT IS CHRISTIAN SCIENCE?
“The two largest words in the vocabulary of thought are "Christian" and "Science”,” that’s how the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, described these two fascinating words. They are often words that cause great debate as to their relationship. So what are the core values of those who dedicate their lives to gaining a deeper understanding of what these two ‘largest words’ mean to the world.
Core Values
Christian Scientists believe in one, infinite God who is All and all-good. They believe that God is not distant and unknowable, but that God is all-encompassing and always present, and that each individual is loved by God, cared for by Him, and made in God’s image—spiritual, not material.Christian Scientists believe in the Bible and in Christ Jesus as the Son of God, or promised Messiah. And they believe that Jesus’ teachings and healing work expressed scientific Christianity, or the application of the laws of God—laws which are still practical and provable today, by anyone, anywhere. Christian Scientists consider the Commandments, as well as Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, to be central to their lives and practice of Christianity.
Above all, Christian Scientists believe in the saving, healing power of God’s love—that no one is beyond redemption, that no problem is too entrenched or overwhelming to be addressed and healed. In other words, Christian Scientists don’t believe that salvation occurs at some point in the future, but that the presence of God’s goodness can be experienced here and now—and by everyone.
One of the best ways to learn more about Christian Science is to explore the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.
Who is Mary Baker Eddy?
Mary Baker Eddy (1821–1910) discovered the biblically based system of healing through prayer known as Christian Science, and established The Church of Christ, Scientist, to preserve and extend it. Without a doubt, the Bible was the most significant influence in her life. She was a devoted student of the Scriptures from early childhood and gradually gained the conviction that spiritual healing was not limited to biblical times but could be practiced as effectively today. A native of New Hampshire, she overcame both personal challenges and the prejudices of her time to become an influential author, healer, and religious leader. Her achievements include establishing a religious movement, starting numerous publications—an international newspaper, The Christian Science Monitor, among them—and writing a groundbreaking textbook, a textbook that is so closely tied to the Bible that she called it, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, that has brought inspiration and healing to millions of people around the world.
A dedicated group of inspired Christian Scientists meet at the Church and Reading Room located above the Post Office in Crown Street Wollongong.They hold a Sunday Service at 10am each week and also a Healing Testimony Meeting on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at noon. If you would like to join any of the services, they are available by skype. Just email csrr.wgong@1earth.net for more information on times and skype address.
The Reading Room is open Wednesday to Friday 11am to 2pm. To investigate Christian Science further both www.christianscience.com and www.spirituality.com are informative and inspiring. A basket of free literature is always available near the entrance to the Post Office, or, ring the Church on 42276916.
