Most commonly asked questions
Christian Science, founded in 1866 by Mary Baker Eddy, is based on the Bible and the teachings of Christ Jesus. Those teachings point to laws of God that, when understood, bring healing. Christian Science teaches that spiritual healing—as taught by Christ Jesus—is accessible to anyone today. There are Christian Science churches around the world that share Christian Science with their communities.
Christian Science has six religious tenets. They are rooted in the Bible, and are found on pages 496-497 of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy.
As adherents of Truth, we take the inspired Word of the Bible as our sufficient guide to eternal Life.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Christian Science is a Christian, Bible-based religion based on the teachings of Christ Jesus. Scientology is based on the teachings of L. Ron Hubbard. They are not related to one another.
Science is the systematic study of how the universe works, and it requires evidence to confirm the truth of its findings. Similarly, Christian Science seeks to understand the spiritual laws that govern us, and the evidence that these laws are true is seen through healing. The way Christ Jesus healed was systematic, logical, and repeatable. Anyone is capable of healing the way that Jesus did by learning about God’s divine laws. People around the world are proving this today through healing.
Christian Scientists approach health as they do every aspect of life—from a spiritual basis. We turn to God in prayer for help and healing, including for physical needs. This reliance is based on more than 150 years of reliable, consistent healing through Christian Science. There is a misperception that Christian Scientists aren’t allowed to visit doctors. In fact, Christian Scientists are free to choose their own form of healthcare—whether it is spiritual healing, medical care, or some other method. The reason they often choose a prayer-based approach to healing is because they’ve found it to be effective.
Christian Science: Past and present
Mary Baker Eddy (1821-1910) was an American religious leader widely known as the Discoverer of Christian Science. She was:
The author of the textbook of Christian Science, Science and Health with Key to Scriptures
The Founder of The Church of Christ, Scientist
The author and publisher of 17 books
The founder of several weekly and monthly magazines, and The Christian Science Monitor daily news publication—all of which are still published today
Mary Baker Eddy studied and loved the Bible her whole life. In 1866, after reading one of Jesus’ healings, she experienced a dramatic, quick recovery from life-threatening injuries caused by an accident. She wanted to know how she had been healed. She studied the Bible and prayed for answers. It became clear to her that spiritual healing was based on divine laws of God, Spirit. She saw that these laws could be applied by anyone to heal every form of human suffering and sin. She proved this by healing and teaching others how to heal. She wrote the full explanation of how to apply these laws in her book Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.
The Christian Science movement is actively practiced around the world. In many communities you can find churches where Christian Scientists hold services that support spiritual growth, including mid-week meetings where individuals can share healings they’ve experienced through prayer. There are publications that explain how Christian Science is healing and transforming lives. There are Christian Scientists who work full time healing others through prayer. Other resources include public talks on Christian Science sponsored by branch churches.
If you want to learn more about Christian Science by talking to someone, go to People and Community.
If you want to learn more about Christian Science by reading, go to Publishing.
The Christian Science Church is focused on supporting individuals’ spiritual growth in relation to God. The Church does not preach or dictate specific stances on social or political issues. While the Church doesn’t advocate on issues, Christian Scientists have found their study of the Bible and their understanding of Christian Science help them find inspiration to respond to social or political problems.
Examples of how individual Christian Scientists have prayed about world problems can be found in our publications. The Christian Science Sentinel, The Christian Science Journal, and The Herald of Christian Science include articles that address:
We also publish a newspaper called The Christian Science Monitor. Winner of multiple Pulitzer Prizes, the Monitor is committed to delivering news that provides a discerning view of the most important issues of the day around the world. The object of the Monitor is “to injure no man, but to bless all mankind.”
Christian Science perspective on Christian concepts
We believe that God is completely good. Christian Scientists don’t see God as some kind of super human, but as infinite Love itself. There are seven synonymous names for God which Mary Baker Eddy gleaned from her study of the Bible that help define God:
Mind
Spirit
Soul
Principle
Life
Truth
Love
Christian Science also understands God to be Father-Mother. This indicates the loving relationship between God and God’s spiritual creation. God does not allow or create evil. There is no limitation to God’s goodness.
Healing and salvation, as taught by Christ Jesus, were key components of early Christianity. Christian Scientists seek to follow Jesus’ example through healing, including physical, mental, and moral health. An expectation of effective spiritual healing is woven throughout Christian Science resources and activities:
Christian Science practitioners are in the public ministry of praying for and with patients to help bring healing to their lives.
Every church service is considered to be a healing service.
Wednesday testimony meetings include time for the congregation to share testimonies or reports of healing.
Verified testimonies of healing have been published since 1883.
Sin can be anything that stands in the way of one’s relationship to God. We believe that each individual is inherently pure, good, and spiritually made in the image and likeness of a loving God—we are not born sinners. Sin isn’t something to be ignored. It can be overcome through an understanding of one’s innate innocence as a child of God.
Baptism and communion are essential elements of Christian Science worship. For Christian Scientists, the emphasis is on private prayer rather than public displays of worship. Christian Scientists are encouraged to “pray in secret and let our lives attest our sincerity” (Science Health, p. 15:23).
In Christian Science, baptism and communion are understood to be a daily spiritual practice, more than a symbolic act.
Baptism: a “purification from all error.” This cleansing of thoughts, aims, and desires from materialism and selfishness is an on-going daily, even hourly, practice. It is an essential part of regeneration for a Christian Scientist.
Communion: prayer between God and an individual that goes on moment-by-moment. Christian Science churches also hold communion services twice a year. During this service, we listen to a Bible Sermon on the subject "Sacrament" that has been studied throughout the week, to learn more spiritual lessons from the biblical accounts of Jesus’ crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. There is time during the service to quietly pray and think about how to be a better follower of Christ Jesus.
To learn more about how a Christian Scientist might live these activities, see Baptism and communion: Private and practical.
Jesus’ atonement showed his great love for humanity. His willingness to go through the crucifixion—followed by the resurrection—proved hate to be powerless and life to be in God. He proved what is spiritually true for all of us—that we all are “at-one” with God. This unity with God is the basis of our freedom from all forms of evil. Through understanding Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, we can overcome sin, sickness, and death in our own lives.
As stated in the tenets of Christian Science: “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” (Science and Health, p. 497:5). Christian Scientists have a deep love and reverence for Jesus, expressed in how we follow his teachings and example. While Christian Science affirms the divinity of the Christ, it does not equate Jesus with God.
Christian Scientists view Life as eternal. Christian Scientists see Jesus’ victory over death as proof that death is not the end of life. Individuals continue on after death continuing to learn and grow spiritually. We cannot communicate with those who have died, but as we all continue to grow spiritually, we will eventually recognize and see each other after death.
To learn more about how a Christian Scientist might pray about death, read Life is All by William E. Moody.
Christian Science ministries
A Christian Science practitioner (C.S.) is someone who will pray for you, and along with you, to find solutions to any problem you may be facing. Many people today wonder whether prayer can make a difference. Christian Science practitioners are convinced it can. They’ve experienced real healing proof of God’s care, and they are available full time to help others find healing through prayer. Christian Science practitioners are listed in the Christian Science Directory, which requires verified references and evidence of healing before an individual can be listed.
Teachers of Christian Science (C.S.B.s) are also Christian Science practitioners (C.S.). Authorized teachers help you deepen your understanding of Christianly scientific healing. They teach an annual class (Primary class instruction) that covers the practical theology of Christian Science. They also hold a yearly meeting with the students who have already taken Primary class (this group is called an “association”). Teachers have dedicated their lives full time to helping others learn and grow. Any teacher would be happy to talk to you about your spiritual journey.
Christian Science nursing provides practical, non-medical care that meets the patient’s physical needs while they rely on Christian Science treatment for healing. The heart of this work is to minister to a patient’s spiritual need for love, comfort, and healing. It is a religious vocation that is distinct from registered or licensed medical nursing.
Christian Science activities and places
While each branch church might be unique, the structure of the services is the same.
Sunday services include:
Hymns sung by the congregation
Silent prayer followed by the Lord’s Prayer from Christ Jesus, with its spiritual interpretation by Mary Baker Eddy
A musical solo
Weekly Bible Lesson-Sermon read by two lay members of the church
Voluntary collection
Closing readings and benediction
A musical prelude and postlude
Wednesday testimony meetings include:
Hymns sung by the congregation
Selected readings from the Bible and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy
Silent prayer followed by the Lord’s Prayer from Christ Jesus
Experiences, sharing of healings, and remarks on Christian Science from the congregation
A musical prelude and postlude
Christian Science Sunday School teaches children how to understand the Bible with a focus on Moses’ Ten Commandments, Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, and the Lord’s Prayer. These lessons help children develop an understanding and love of God that can support them as they grow. For young children, this includes knowing about a loving God, and learning they can turn to God when they need help. For older children and teens, Sunday School is a place to ask questions and learn how God and prayer can help in their everyday lives.
Talks on Christian Science, also known as Christian Science lectures, are sponsored by a church, but they are for the wider community as well. You don’t have to be a Christian Scientist to attend. If you’re curious about Christian Science, these talks will provide a good introduction. If you’re looking for comfort or healing in your life, you’ll find ideas that can help.
Class instruction is a 12-day, in-person course dedicated to prayer and learning about God. The purpose of Primary class instruction is to deepen and strengthen what you are already learning and practicing from your study of Christian Science. People are generally ready for class instruction when they’ve been regularly studying the Bible and the textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, and want to learn more.
A Reading Room is a public space maintained by a local Christian Science church. Think of it as a place where you can explore resources to support your spiritual growth.
Talk to the staff about prayer.
Ask questions about Christian Science.
Browse books and other publications about Christian Science.