Brief Answer

Christian Science is a religious movement founded in the 19th century by Mary Baker Eddy that teaches a distinct approach to understanding God, Jesus, and healing. It emphasizes healing through spiritual means and holds that true reality is spiritual, rather than material. While Christian Science uses Christian terminology, its teachings differ significantly from traditional Christian beliefs, particularly in views on sin, illness, and the divinity of Christ.

Understanding Christian Science from a Biblical Perspective

While Christian Science identifies with some aspects of Christianity, it diverges in its interpretations of key doctrines, including the nature of God, Jesus, and the Bible itself. From a biblical standpoint, traditional Christianity views God as both personal and all-powerful, with Jesus as the divine Son of God who offers salvation through His death and resurrection. Christian Science, however, reinterprets these concepts, focusing on spiritual healing and the idea that sin and illness are illusions.

Key Bible Verses

• John 14:6 – “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'”
• 1 John 4:2-3 – “This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God.”

These verses underscore traditional Christian beliefs about the nature of Jesus and the need for an accurate understanding of His role as Savior.

Historical Context

Christian Science emerged in the 19th century, a period marked by an interest in spiritualism, healing practices, and alternative religious movements. Mary Baker Eddy, the founder, claimed to have received a revelation of divine truth that led her to write Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures in 1875. This book, alongside the Bible, is considered authoritative within Christian Science.

Eddy’s teachings were influenced by her own experiences with illness and her belief in the power of prayer for healing. She proposed that all sickness, sin, and suffering stem from a misunderstanding of God’s nature and our spiritual identity, suggesting that these things could be overcome through correct spiritual understanding.

Practical Implications

Christian Science teaches that spiritual understanding can heal physical illness, which leads followers to prioritize prayer and spiritual “treatment” over traditional medicine:

• Healing through Prayer: Christian Scientists often turn to prayer rather than medical treatments, believing that faith in God’s all-encompassing nature leads to healing.
• Avoidance of Medical Intervention: Because of their view on healing, many Christian Scientists avoid conventional medicine, a stance that has raised concerns about health and well-being, especially in cases of severe illness.

For Christians who view Jesus as the ultimate healer, this reliance on spiritual healing alone can seem at odds with God’s provision of medical wisdom and resources.

Theological Depth and Insight

From a conservative evangelical viewpoint, Christian Science presents some theological challenges:

• View of Sin and Salvation: Christian Science teaches that sin and death are illusions, diverging from the biblical understanding that sin is a real, destructive force that separates humanity from God and requires redemption through Jesus (Romans 3:23, John 3:16).
• Jesus’ Divinity and Mission: While Christian Science acknowledges Jesus as a significant figure, it rejects His role as the incarnate Son of God who died for humanity’s sins. Instead, Jesus is seen as a teacher or example of spiritual truth. Traditional Christianity, however, holds Jesus as fully God and fully man, essential for salvation.

This differing view of Jesus is a primary theological distinction between Christian Science and biblical Christianity.

Broader Biblical Themes

Several core biblical themes are reinterpreted in Christian Science:

• Reality of the Physical World: Christian Science considers the material world, including pain and illness, to be an illusion. In contrast, the Bible speaks of creation as a real, intentional act by God (Genesis 1:31).
• Purpose of Suffering: The Bible acknowledges suffering as part of life in a fallen world and calls believers to trust God amid hardship (Romans 5:3-4). Christian Science, however, treats suffering as something to be overcome purely through spiritual realization.
• Redemption through Christ: The Bible teaches that humanity’s hope for salvation and reconciliation with God rests solely in Jesus (Ephesians 2:8-9). Christian Science’s perspective, focusing on spiritual enlightenment, diverges from this teaching.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

In Christian theology, the Holy Spirit is central in guiding believers into truth, offering comfort, and convicting the world of sin. In contrast, Christian Science does not emphasize the Holy Spirit in a traditional Trinitarian sense but instead views God as an abstract principle of divine mind, life, and love. This diminishes the role of the Holy Spirit as presented in Scripture, who is personal and active in the life of believers (John 14:26).

Relevance for Today’s Christian

Understanding Christian Science can help Christians clarify their own beliefs and appreciate the unique message of the gospel:

• Faith and Healing: While Christians believe in the power of prayer, they also recognize that God can work through medicine and human care. Christian Science’s focus on healing through spiritual means alone contrasts with a balanced biblical approach that values both faith and practical wisdom.
• Truth about Jesus: Christian Science’s redefined view of Jesus serves as a reminder of the importance of knowing and proclaiming Jesus as both Savior and Lord.
• Recognizing False Teachings: Christians are encouraged to examine beliefs through a biblical lens to ensure they align with the true gospel (Galatians 1:6-9).

Connection to Jesus Christ and God’s Love

Central to biblical Christianity is the belief that God demonstrated His love by sending Jesus to die for sinners, an act that acknowledges the reality of sin and the need for redemption. Christian Science’s reinterpretation of sin as an illusion removes the need for Jesus’ atoning sacrifice, which is foundational in the Christian faith.

The love of God, as revealed in the gospel, offers not only healing but also eternal life through faith in Christ. Jesus’ sacrifice shows the depth of God’s love for humanity and underscores His desire for all to be saved (John 3:16).

Bible Characters and Stories

• Jesus: Christian Science regards Jesus as a teacher of spiritual truth, whereas traditional Christianity views Him as Savior and the embodiment of God’s love.
• Apostle Paul: Paul warned against teachings that distort the gospel (Galatians 1:6-9), encouraging believers to guard against ideas that undermine the truth about Jesus.
• John: The apostle John emphasized the need to test the spirits and teachings to ensure they align with God’s truth (1 John 4:1-3).

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

• How does understanding the biblical view of sin and salvation help us discern truth in different teachings?
• In what ways does Jesus’ sacrificial love challenge us to examine other religious perspectives?
• How can we rely on both prayer and God’s provision of medical resources in our approach to healing and health?
• How does our understanding of Jesus as both fully God and fully man impact our faith and daily lives?

Reflecting on these questions can deepen our appreciation for the gospel and strengthen our understanding of the unique message of Christianity.