Frequently Asked Questions

Mary Baker Eddy defined Christian Science as “the law of God, the law of good . . . ” (Rudimental Divine Science, p. 1). The law of God has always been in operation, and was understood, taught, and demonstrated by the prophets, Jesus, and his disciples. That law is as much the same from their time to ours as is the law of gravity, and can still be understood and demonstrated through their teachings.

Mary Baker Eddy (1821-1910) was an author, teacher, preacher, healer, and founder of the First Church of Christ, Scientist; also known as the Christian Science church.

From a young age she tried to understand how Jesus taught his disciples to heal spiritually. In 1866 she was injured badly from a fall and doctors told her she would die within a few days. However, while reading one of Jesus’ healings in her Bible, she was instantaneously and completely healed in what she later described as a “falling apple that led me to the discovery how to be well myself, and how to make others so.” (Retrospection and Introspection p. 24)

She immediately began to heal others, many of whom the doctors had given up. One of these doctors encouraged her to write down how she did what she was doing, and to teach others. Eddy did so, and in 1875 she first published what would become her seminal work: Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.

In addition to writing many books and articles and founding her church, she founded the Massachusetts Metaphysical College, and later the Christian Science Board of Education; started three periodicals, the The Christian Science Journal, Christian Science Sentinel, and The Herald of Christian Science; and taught thousands of students. She also founded the Christian Science Monitor, a Pulitzer Prize winning newspaper with the mission to “injure no man, but to bless all mankind.”

There are many inspiring references to God in the Bible, and from them, Mary Baker Eddy wrote in her book Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures a definition of God as “The great I AM; the all-knowing, all-seeing, all-acting, all-wise, all-loving, and eternal; Principle; Mind; Soul; Spirit; Life; Truth; Love; all substance; intelligence” (p.587).

It is Christian because the foundation of Christian Science is the teachings and demonstrations of Christ Jesus. It is Science because it involves the provable and repeatable demonstration of laws, in this case divine. Anyone can test and prove the rules of Christian Science for themselves and see the effects in their own lives, as millions have before.

No. Despite the similarity of name, there is no connection whatsoever.

No. These philosophies rely on the human mind, whereas Christian Science relies on God. The faith of the patients themselves is not actually even required for healing in Christian Science, and there are plenty of examples of people with no faith in Christian Science, or no expectation of healing, being healed by it.

Christian Scientists are free to take care of themselves as they see fit; and if a Christian Scientist feels they need to go to a doctor for any reason there is nothing stopping them from doing so. However, Christian Scientists have found God to be “a very present help in trouble” and every Christian Scientist can tell of the effectiveness of reliance on God in their own lives. See the solutions page for more information.

A Christian Science Practitioner is someone who has devoted their life to healing others through prayer as Jesus taught. The First Church of Christ, Scientist maintains of list of experienced practitioners which can be found online at christianscience.com and in print in the Christian Science Journal. These “Journal listed practitioners” as they are called, have proven themselves to be quick and effectual Christian healers.

The Sunday Service is focused around a Bible Lesson which consists of readings from the Bible and correlative passages from Science and Health. There are also hymns, a solo, time for silent prayer, and repeating together the Lord’s Prayer.

Wednesday Testimony Meetings also include readings from the Bible and Science and Health, but are mostly dedicated to the sharing of “experiences, testimonies, and remarks on Christian Science” by the congregation.

All are welcome, so please feel free to visit us if you are in Dallas, or if not, find a church near you.

A Reading Room is a community bookstore where you can read, study, pray, ask questions about Christian Science, and find practical solutions to life’s problems. In short, it is a place to find healing and peace. You can also purchase books, magazines, and music published by the Christian Science Publishing Society. This includes the Bible, the writings of Mary Baker Eddy, the weekly Bible Lesson, an extensive archive of personal experiences of Christian Science healing, the Pulitzer Prize winning Christian Science Monitor, and more.

Please feel free to contact us using the form below, or visit our Church or Reading Room in Dallas, TX. You can also find more information about Christian Science at christianscience.com, including the locations of other Christian Science Churches and Reading Rooms around the world. If you would like to request a free copy of Science and Health from us, you can do that here.