Christian Science

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Christian Science
Three Components of a Dangerous Movement
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The Development of Christian Science

• Founder Mary Baker Eddy (1821-1910)

• Influenced by

- Frequent illness
- The work of Phineas Quimby
- A miraculous cure
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The Development of Christian Science
The Phineas Quimby Factor

• Unusual recovery from tuberculosis
• Studied mesmerism (early form of hypnotism)
  which convinced him of the power of the mind over
  the body

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The Development of Christian Science
The Phineas Quimby Factor

• Mary Baker Eddy accused of plagiarizing
  Quimbys work
• Quimbys New Thought summed up in seven
  principles

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The Development of Christian Science
Mary Baker Eddys Modifications

• Published Science and Health, with Key to the
  Scriptures, 1875
• Claimed to restore original Christianity

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The Doctrines of Christian Science

• Heaven is a state of Mind
• Mind is deity
• Matter is bad
• Man is a perfect, spiritual reflection of God
• Sin, death and disease do not exist

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The Doctrines of Christian Science

• The Goals of the Christian
• Scientist
• Understand the true nature of the world
• Overcome the limitations of their perceptions

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The Doctrines of Christian Science
The Christianizing of Quimby

• The Bible has been badly corrupted you need
  Eddys work too
• The real Trinity is Life, Truth and Love

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The Doctrines of Christian Science
The Christianizing of Quimby

• God is both Father and Mother
• Christ was a consciousness that descended on
  the human Jesus
• The Holy Spirit is Science

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The Dangers of Christian Science

• Not even the founder of Christian Science was a
  perfect practitioner so what hope does anyone
  else have?

• Christian Science gets a lot of attention for
  the noticeable failure of members to stay healthy

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The Dangers of Christian Science

• The good news Membership has taken a
  nosedivebut we still need to be on guard

• Christian Science beliefs can be harmful both
  physically and psychologically

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For more information, or for help in defending
the Christian faith, please visit the following
web sitewww.4Truth.netNorth American Mission
Board