“Mary Baker Eddy’s Christian Science”

Robbins, Pam and Whitson Robley. “Mary Baker Eddy’s Christian Science.” The Sign 59, no. 10 (Jul/Aug 1980): 16–21.

The authors, writing from a Roman Catholic perspective, explain that “unusual churches have unusual gifts of great potential value for us all” (17). This article is an introductory look at “the potential ecumenical interrelation of [Christian] Science with the other churches” (17). They observe that Christian Science has earned respect by virtue of its longevity and the “simple quiet dignity of its churches, publications, and members” (17). They identify Christian Science as not Protestant, noting Mary Baker Eddy’s non-standard definitions of church, Jesus, and the Christ. They consider Eddy’s views on celibacy and marriage favorably, and claims of healing as not fanatical, escapism, or insanity. However, Christian Science may be difficult to comprehend because of its distinctive language, and because its church services are “a very austere form of worship” (19). The authors note the problem of updating a religion that is strictly tied to a founder and her unchanging language, but recognize a novel perspective on mysticism in Christian Science “that is devoid of mistiness” (20).  Noting the importance of individual devotion to study in Christian Science, they write; “If a medieval monk were to meet a modern Christian Scientist as the latter studied his weekly Lesson-Sermon, the monk would identify immediately with him” (20).

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