Christian Science — a comparison of the doctrine of 17 current religions
Prepared by and presented by Rex Bennett
An overview of the beliefs of the Christian Science religion:
- Christian Science
- Atonement — Christ is the true idea of the Son of God, or God, present to redeem mankind from sin, disease, and death. His Crucifixion, resurrection, and final ascension have brought to light man’s true spiritual nature.
- Baptism –Baptism in not a physically manifested rite or ritual. They do not immerse, sprinkle, or do any outward ordinance. Baptism is the spiritual purification of righteous daily living.
- Did Christ organize a church while on earth? — Most believe that He did not organize a physical church. The word of God, as revealed in the Bible, is the textbook. The most important thing is to know that Christ taught the truth.
- Ecclesiastical authority — They do not have priesthood, clergy, or ordained ministers. Normally, a man and a woman are elected by local members to serve 3 year terms as leaders. They read the Bible and “Science and Health” in their lessons and sermons.
- God — God is Divine Mind. Mind, Spirit, Truth, Life, Principle, Love, and Soul are synonyms for God. God has no physical form. God is the source and substance of man’s true being.
- Heaven and Hell — They exist but not in a literal sense. They are states of mind and thought, not future dwelling places. Mary Baker Eddy said, “The sinner makes his own hell by doing evil, the saint makes his own heaven by doing right.”
- Holy Bible — Believe in and use the Bible. Also us the “Christian Science Textbook” and “Science and Health with key to the scriptures”, by Mary Baker Eddy. The Bible cannot be properly interpreted without these 2 textbooks.
- Holy Ghost — God is ‘multiform in office’, that is God the Father-Mother, Christ the spiritual idea of Sonship, and Divine Science as the Holy Comforter.
- Holy Trinity — The Holy Trinity, consisting of the unity of Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit, are not three person in one. They are one divine ‘Principle’ consisting of three offices. The offices are Life, Truth, and Love.
- Is membership in a church needed for salvation? — Christian Science is “The Law of God, the Law of Good, interpreting and demonstrating the Divine Principle and rule of universal harmony”. People of other churches may be saved if they respond to the “Law of Good”.
- Life after death — Death does not mean that the individual life is terminated. Death is only another phase of the belief that life is material. Changes in one’s mortal existence do not change man’s immortal spiritual life.
- Marriage — Believe in the marriage institution, particularly the spiritual and moral responsibilities. Parents are free to choose whether or not to have children, and how many.
- Miracles — The ‘Great Works’ of Christ were not miracles or exceptions to law, but the natural effect of understanding Divine Law. Healing comes from spiritual understanding. Health is not a physical but a spiritual reality.
- Future status of non-believers in Christ — All will have everlasting life and will continue to experience good or bad according to their choices. This is all that is known, all else is only conjecture.
- Pre-existence of man — Most believe in the pre-existence of men, meaning that life doesn’t begin at birth. There are a variety of beliefs within the church concerning this subject.
- Purpose of life — To understand that our true selfhood is spiritual, not material, thereby enabling us to follow Jesus Christ’s example in overcoming the ills and evils of the flesh.
- Resurrection — Do not believe in physical resurrection. Death is an illusion of the mind, and a misconception of men. Death is another incident in the dress of mortality.
- Revelation — Believe in revelation anciently (the Bible) but there is no modern revelation for the church. Persons only need to open their spiritual thoughts to receive personal revelation for themselves.
- Sacrament — The Eucharist, or Lord’s Supper, is spiritual communion with God. There are no visible elements such as bread and wine used. There are no words spoken and it is done in silence.
- Satan — Do not believe in Satan. Lies exist only as far as they are accepted. The ultimate lie is that there is a power that is in opposition to God. Devils are mortals that are full of evil.
- Second Coming of Christ — Christ is always here – this is the ‘Christ Thought’. There will not be a physical Second Coming of Christ. Christ’s teachings and love are readily available today, we do not have to wait for Him to bring them.
- Vicarious work for the dead — Do not have any doctrine concerning vicarious work for the salvation of the dead. Death is an illusion of the mind, and a misconception of men.
- Virgin birth, immaculate conception — Jesus was born of the virgin Mary, and is the reflection of God. Jesus is the name of the human man and Christ refers to the divine idea. The names of Jesus and Christ are not synonymous.
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