Saturday, May 27, 2006 at 12:12am
Who put the science in Christian Science?
On my way home, last week, I met a lovely young woman, who wanted to know more about a book I was reading. Standing, because the train was crowded, I heard, "Excuse me sir, excuse me, what are you reading?" Her voice had a tinge of judgment to it as if she expected my answer to be the name of some far-out book she would never read.
When I told her I was reading a biography about Mary Baker Eddy, her tone didn't change as much as it got louder. "Who is Mary Baker Eddy?" she asked.
Admittedly, I'm a little sensitive where Eddy is concerned. Her life has inspired mine immensely. Through Eddy's discovery of Christian Science, I have gained a profound appreciation for the Bible and its message. Through her seminal work, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures", I continue to learn more about my spiritual identity and inseparable relationship to an ever-present, loving God. I'm mindful of the fact that more people need to know the truth of Christian Science and the positive effect it's had, and continues to have in our world.
So now, I looked a bit deeper at my new friend, listening for those God-impelled words to come from me that would both satisfy and inspire.
I started, "Eddy was a phenomenal woman who lived in the late 19th century. She did some amazing things like publish an international, daily newspaper, called The Christian Science Monitor. She was one of only a few women in the United States to found and lead a religious denomination that would become a global movement with members in more than 139 countries."
Now, that got her attention. "You've got to be joking," she said. "I've never heard of this woman."
That's not surprising, I thought to myself. It amazes me that there isn't more written about Mary Baker Eddy and her life, especially her indispensable contribution to America's religious history.
My riding buddy now asked, "What's the name of the religion she started?"
"Christian Science," I answered.
"Christian Science," she muttered to herself. After reflecting for a moment she said, "I've never heard of that...what do people who follow Christian Science, believe?"
"Christian Scientists," I began, "strive to follow the word and works of Jesus Christ."
"Really...so it's Christian," she offered.
"Absolutely," I affirmed.
"Then what is the 'Science' all about?" she pressed.
"Well, for me," I continued, "Science next to the word Christian means that there are practical, provable spiritual laws that I can apply over and over again that bring healing. Healing is an integral part of Christian Science. In fact members of this church have been successfully practicing spiritual healing through prayer for over 125 years. Eddy was a longtime student of the Bible and she wrote 'Science and Health'which celebrates the spiritual truths found in the Bible and explains how to heal as Jesus did."
Now in a conciliatory, soft, private tone, she asked: "Have you ever...been...healed?"
I think this is the question that we are all asking ourselves. Can I be healed? I wanted to tell her about a time not too long ago when I was very ill. I had never before experienced this particular physical difficulty. As daunting as my condition appeared I knew I could trust God and my understanding of Christian Science to heal this situation.
In fact it was my heartfelt desire to know God that impelled me to study Christian Science. In this study, I've learned to listen for the still small voice, which I call the Christ, who always comforts and assures me of God's tender loving care.
Amidst the discomfort I was feeling, I was able to see evidences of God's care. For instance, I was able to continue working, which on some days seemed almost impossible. I was living with my mother at the time (you might say I was one of those adult children who came back home to roost for a few months). She always had a ready meal for me. I was able to read from the Bible and 'Science and Health', which provided me with the spiritual insights to move forward with a full expectation of a complete healing.
In Christian Science I have learned that God is omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient. As God's child, I am always reflecting at all times the goodness, health and strength of God. This illness now became an opportunity for me to grow in my spiritual understanding of God and his inseparable relationship with me. I knew the recognition of my spiritual identity, seeing myself as God sees me, heals because it has done so many times before.
Late one night, seeking relief, I opened 'Science and Health' and my eyes fell upon these words: "Realize the presence of health and the fact of harmonious being..." It occurred to me that harmony was a fact, a divine law. Laying in bed I started thinking about the universe and how everything is in perfect order. I thought of God as the source and intelligence of the universe and man. This spiritual fact of harmony is everywhere; it represents my very health.
I had been experiencing this ailment for three months, but that morning I woke up completely healed. Certainly, I was grateful for the healing, but the growing awareness of my imperishable spiritual identity and God's accessibility meant so much more.
"Yes!" I replied. "I have experienced healings all of my life and the book I mentioned, 'Science and Health' shows us how to heal."
My new friend sat quietly for a while and I resumed reading. As her stop approached and she readied to leave, she turned to me and said, "Thanks a lot." I told her now that she's met me she's going to start seeing the words "Christian Science" everywhere. We laughed. I was grateful that I could share a little about something that continues to bring so much good in to my life.
— — —
Kwadjo Boaiteyis a lifelong Christian Scientist who is devoted to uplifting public thought and serves as the Christian Science Committee on Publication for Georgia. He lives in Stone Mountain Georgia with his wife, Karama. You can send him an email at {email kwadjosun@gmail.com}kwadjosun@gmail.com{/email}. © copyright 2006 by Kwadjo Boaitey
— — —
UPI Religion & Spirituality Forum is a big tent for all expressions
of faith and spirituality, neither excluding nor favoring any.
All opinions expressed belong to the writer alone, and are
not necessarily shared by UPI Religion & Spirituality Forum.
When I told her I was reading a biography about Mary Baker Eddy, her tone didn't change as much as it got louder. "Who is Mary Baker Eddy?" she asked.
Admittedly, I'm a little sensitive where Eddy is concerned. Her life has inspired mine immensely. Through Eddy's discovery of Christian Science, I have gained a profound appreciation for the Bible and its message. Through her seminal work, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures", I continue to learn more about my spiritual identity and inseparable relationship to an ever-present, loving God. I'm mindful of the fact that more people need to know the truth of Christian Science and the positive effect it's had, and continues to have in our world.
So now, I looked a bit deeper at my new friend, listening for those God-impelled words to come from me that would both satisfy and inspire.
I started, "Eddy was a phenomenal woman who lived in the late 19th century. She did some amazing things like publish an international, daily newspaper, called The Christian Science Monitor. She was one of only a few women in the United States to found and lead a religious denomination that would become a global movement with members in more than 139 countries."
Now, that got her attention. "You've got to be joking," she said. "I've never heard of this woman."
That's not surprising, I thought to myself. It amazes me that there isn't more written about Mary Baker Eddy and her life, especially her indispensable contribution to America's religious history.
My riding buddy now asked, "What's the name of the religion she started?"
"Christian Science," I answered.
"Christian Science," she muttered to herself. After reflecting for a moment she said, "I've never heard of that...what do people who follow Christian Science, believe?"
"Christian Scientists," I began, "strive to follow the word and works of Jesus Christ."
"Really...so it's Christian," she offered.
"Absolutely," I affirmed.
"Then what is the 'Science' all about?" she pressed.
"Well, for me," I continued, "Science next to the word Christian means that there are practical, provable spiritual laws that I can apply over and over again that bring healing. Healing is an integral part of Christian Science. In fact members of this church have been successfully practicing spiritual healing through prayer for over 125 years. Eddy was a longtime student of the Bible and she wrote 'Science and Health'which celebrates the spiritual truths found in the Bible and explains how to heal as Jesus did."
Now in a conciliatory, soft, private tone, she asked: "Have you ever...been...healed?"
I think this is the question that we are all asking ourselves. Can I be healed? I wanted to tell her about a time not too long ago when I was very ill. I had never before experienced this particular physical difficulty. As daunting as my condition appeared I knew I could trust God and my understanding of Christian Science to heal this situation.
In fact it was my heartfelt desire to know God that impelled me to study Christian Science. In this study, I've learned to listen for the still small voice, which I call the Christ, who always comforts and assures me of God's tender loving care.
Amidst the discomfort I was feeling, I was able to see evidences of God's care. For instance, I was able to continue working, which on some days seemed almost impossible. I was living with my mother at the time (you might say I was one of those adult children who came back home to roost for a few months). She always had a ready meal for me. I was able to read from the Bible and 'Science and Health', which provided me with the spiritual insights to move forward with a full expectation of a complete healing.
In Christian Science I have learned that God is omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient. As God's child, I am always reflecting at all times the goodness, health and strength of God. This illness now became an opportunity for me to grow in my spiritual understanding of God and his inseparable relationship with me. I knew the recognition of my spiritual identity, seeing myself as God sees me, heals because it has done so many times before.
Late one night, seeking relief, I opened 'Science and Health' and my eyes fell upon these words: "Realize the presence of health and the fact of harmonious being..." It occurred to me that harmony was a fact, a divine law. Laying in bed I started thinking about the universe and how everything is in perfect order. I thought of God as the source and intelligence of the universe and man. This spiritual fact of harmony is everywhere; it represents my very health.
I had been experiencing this ailment for three months, but that morning I woke up completely healed. Certainly, I was grateful for the healing, but the growing awareness of my imperishable spiritual identity and God's accessibility meant so much more.
"Yes!" I replied. "I have experienced healings all of my life and the book I mentioned, 'Science and Health' shows us how to heal."
My new friend sat quietly for a while and I resumed reading. As her stop approached and she readied to leave, she turned to me and said, "Thanks a lot." I told her now that she's met me she's going to start seeing the words "Christian Science" everywhere. We laughed. I was grateful that I could share a little about something that continues to bring so much good in to my life.
— — —
Kwadjo Boaiteyis a lifelong Christian Scientist who is devoted to uplifting public thought and serves as the Christian Science Committee on Publication for Georgia. He lives in Stone Mountain Georgia with his wife, Karama. You can send him an email at {email kwadjosun@gmail.com}kwadjosun@gmail.com{/email}. © copyright 2006 by Kwadjo Boaitey
UPI Religion & Spirituality Forum is a big tent for all expressions
of faith and spirituality, neither excluding nor favoring any.
All opinions expressed belong to the writer alone, and are
not necessarily shared by UPI Religion & Spirituality Forum.