Skip to content
Csbibliography

Annotated Bibliography of Christian Science

Academic and Other Literature

  • Home
  • About
    • About the ABCS Project
    • Support Opportunities (Donate)
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Annotations
    • Search Information
    • Category Search
    • Keyword Search
    • Advanced Search
    • Standard Search
    • Authors/Editor List
    • Title List
    • Recently Added
    • Search Support
  • Resources
    • The Book
    • Online Resources
    • ABCS Blog
    • Suggest Resources
  • Contact
Annotation Resource

The Destiny of The Mother Church

The Destiny of The Mother Church

Knapp, Bliss. The Destiny of The Mother Church. Boston: The Writings of Mary Baker Eddy, (1947) 1991.

The mere publication of Knapp’s 1947 book by the Christian Science Church in 1991 caused as much controversy as the content of the book. But from a distance of 30 years, researchers can look at the meaning and role of prophecy in the early development of Christian Science. Knapp’s father (Ira) was especially trusted and valued by Eddy, and his proclivity to visions and revelation was of interest to her. Eddy, like other 19th-century religious leaders, was encouraged by those few who found prophetic justification in scriptures, but only to acknowledge her unique historical role and justify her exercise of absolute authority among her followers. From a contemporary historical-critical perspective, the reasoning behind faith in prophecy is circular: One needs faith to believe in prophecy, and prophecy confirms faith. Knapp’s controversial argument stems from his creative justification from Genesis, Isaiah and Revelation ‘proving’ that the Woman of the Apocalypse (Revelation 12) stands in type for the female of God’s creation. However, he blurs the line between the person of Eddy (blasphemous in Christian Science) and her works (a satisfying confirmation) as the fulfillment of this biblical prophecy.

ISBN-10: 087510231X
ISBN-13 (Hardcover): 978-0875102313

 

See also annotation: 

Honesty, Blasphemy, and The Destiny of the Mother Church by Stephen Gottschalk

“Christian Science Polity in Crisis” by Stephen Gottschalk

 

Knapp, Bliss

Related Annotations:

Annotations related by category:
  • Availability: Library or Purchase
  • Controversy: Bliss Knapp’s "Destiny"
  • Official Christian Science Publication: Yes
  • People: Eddy, Mary Baker
  • People: Knapp, Bliss
  • Publication Date: 1911-1955
  • Resource Types: Book
  • Subjects: Bible
  • Subjects: Biographies and Chronologies
  • Subjects: Christian Science History after 1910
Annotations related by keyword:
  • Apocalypse/Revelation
  • Authorized
  • Genesis
  • Prophecy
More by authors or editor(s):
  • Knapp, Bliss

Comment on this resource: Cancel

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Search Home

Search application instructions and overview.

Search Support

Questions? We've got answers.

Category Search

Select subject, person, organization and/or controversy to provide a subset of annotation results. The results page includes the ability to further limit your search.

Keyword Search

Select one or more specific keywords to provide a subset of annotation results. The results page includes the ability to further limit your search.

Advanced Search

Select from all search options to obtain very specific results.

Standard Search

Might yield a mix of relevant and irrelevant results, but could be very helpful if you are looking for a specific term not included in any of the other types of searches.

Annotations by Author
Annotations by Title
Most Recent

View the 30 most recently added annotations.

New Since the Book

View new annotations available here that were not included in the book.

Suggest a Resource
Donate via PayPal

Scholarly Works on Christian Science is the nonprofit corporation that produces the ABCS website. We rely on donations to keep the bibliography updated and available to the public. If you find this site useful we hope you'll consider donating to support the work. Donate via PayPal by clicking the button above or send a check to:

Scholarly Works on Christian Science
420 Conway Meadows Drive
St. Louis, MO 63017

© 2022 and later by Scholarly Works on Christian Science, all rights reserved.

Privacy Policy is here. Cookie Policy is here. Comment Policy is here.

This material was printed from the Annotated Bibliography of Christian Science website produced and maintained by Scholarly Works on Christian Science (https://csbibliography.org). All rights reserved.