One of the most highly respected newspapers published in the United States is the Christian Science Monitor. Yet many of its readers are probably unaware of the beliefs and history of the denomination that publishes it. Christian Science was founded in 1879 by Mary Baker Eddy. The complete statement of its teachings can be found in her book ‘Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures', first issued in 1875 and repeatedly revised over the next 35 years. (See also Eddy.)

Mother Church.

Mrs. Eddy gave the denomination its present institutional form. She established the Mother Church, the First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston in 1892. Her organizational ‘Manual of the Mother Church' was published in 1895. The church is governed by a board of trustees, though its branches around the world are self-governing within the framework she set forth in the manual. There are about 3,000 branches in 57 countries, though most are in the United States.

Christian Science accepts many of the basic doctrines of Christianity, including belief in one God, the authority of the Bible, and the life and ministry of Jesus (see Christianity). It departs from traditional Christianity in regarding Jesus primarily as an example of the divine sonship of God that is present in all humanity.

It also denies that the world of matter is created by God. Matter is viewed instead as a perception. Reality—life, will, and mind—is spiritual. Hence the illnesses and misfortunes of the flesh are problems that are related only to the material aspect of life. Christian redemption is a rebirth out of the physical into the spiritual, from the material into the real. This is a lifelong process: Mrs. Eddy wrote that “We must have trials and self-denials, as well as joys and victories, until all error is destroyed.”

Healing ministry.

Christian Science has a full-time healing ministry engaged in by people called practitioners. The curing of disease through prayer is regarded as a necessary element in salvation. Followers are not, however, compelled by the church to use spiritual healing, but most members probably do. Many go to dentists and physicians who treat problems of the eye and for such procedures as setting bones or delivering babies.

Christian Science congregations sponsor reading rooms for study of the Bible and ‘Science and Health'. Lessons from these sources are also the basis of worship services. Wednesday evening meetings may include the testimonial sharing of healing experiences by members of the denomination.