Mary Baker Eddy: A Heart in Protest

Christian Science Publishing Society, The. Mary Baker Eddy: A Heart in Protest—DVD format; Edited by Christopher Wagstaff; Northern Light Productions in association with The First Church of Christ, Scientist, 1988.

As the title of this 70-minute bibliographic video implies, its main message highlights Mary Baker Eddy’s lifelong struggles, determination, and persistence. The production of the video precedes the opening of the Mary Baker Eddy Library by 14 years, and its excellent cast of characters made it a valuable resource especially for the public. Julie Harris read the quotes by Eddy; Robert Duvall narrated the story; and Stephen Gottschalk interviewed scholars both within and without the Christian Science movement on their special interests in Eddy’s life. Some names include Martin Marty, Robert Thomas, Katherine Fanning, Joseph Harsch, and Robert Peel. Representing their various fields, scholars concurred with Duvall’s opening remark that: “As the 20^th century began, Mary Baker Eddy was among the most controversial figures in the United States.” Despite her personal experience with bodily pain and human loss, she argued that evil was not to be taken for granted. Her protest against all causes of human suffering was for the world’s sake as well as her own. By the age of 45, Eddy had hoped “to revolutionize the thought of the world.” But her ideas were controversial, challenging authorities in religion, medicine, science, and the general drift of human thought in her age.

Mary Baker Eddy: A Heart in Protest can be viewed in its entirety on the Christian Science website here.