“Western Esoteric Family IV: Christian Science-Metaphysical” in Melton’s Encyclopedia of American Religions

Melton, J. Gordon, ed. “Western Esoteric Family IV: Christian Science-Metaphysical.” Pages 785–93 in vol. 1, Chapter 20 of Melton’s Encyclopedia of American Religions. 2 vols. Detroit: Gale Research. 2017.

The focus of this article is an explanation of Christian Science within the religious context of its American origin and development. The author claims that Mesmerism, Spiritualism, Swedenborgianism, and Transcendentalism prepared the way for two important religious movements of the 19^th– century: Christian Science and New Thought. A comparison of several forerunners of Mary Baker Eddy (Mesmer, Swedenborg, Emerson, Phineas P. Quimby, Warren F. Evans) aids in distinguishing Eddy’s unique contributions. The entangled relationship between Quimby and Mary Baker Eddy led to decades of bitter controversy between the followers of both. But “[e]ach had a profound disagreement on most issues vital to the other’s beliefs, such as the existence of matter and the role of religion” (790). Also, noting the role of Christian Science within the American religious context, the author gives relative importance to the role of Independent Christian Scientists. They provide evidence of the number of Eddy followers who value/d her ideas but not her tight reins on the religious organization. Some retained Eddy’s ideas, while others veered toward competing religious views. Regarding the relationship between Christian Science and New Thought, the author explains, “Confusion between the movements, and the intense polemics concerning their separation, led in large part to the mutual denial of their common roots” (786b).

ISBN-10: 078769696X
ISBN-13 (Softcover): 978-0800730260
ISBN-13 (Hardcover): 978-0787696962