DECIDEDLY CHRISTIAN

The Founder of Christian Science — Mary Baker Eddy — said, “I reverence and adore Christ as never before.” (Miscellaneous Writings, pg 96). She also said, “He who dated the Christian era is the Ensample in Christian Science. Careless comparison or irreverent reference to Christ Jesus is abnormal in a Christian Scientist, …” (Church Manual, pg 41). ” It is therefore natural and normal for us to love and appreciate Christ Jesus and strive to faithfully follow his teachings.

Christian Scientists accept Jesus’ virgin birth as a real, historical event — and one of great import.

Christian Scientists believe in Jesus’ atonement and acknowledge that man is saved through Christ. Eddy said, “Do I believe in the atonement of Christ? I do; and this atonement becomes more to me since it includes man’s redemption from sickness as well as from sin.” (Miscellaneous Writings, page 96).

We believe that Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, culminating in his ascension, help us understand eternal life. The Apostle John said, “And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.” (I John 5:20)

Christian Scientists read and study the Bible. We take seriously Jesus’ teaching in his Sermon on the Mount to obey the Ten Commandments and to take this further by extending the spirit of these commandments to what’s in our thought, our motives, and in our heart. This includes putting the Golden Rule into action, treating others with the same respect and love with which we wish to be treated. It includes being thoughtful and responsible, rather than dogmatic, in our Christian practice and daily life. It includes being respectful to those with differing views and choices, never trying to force our views or choices on others. It means not talking love, but really living it, following Jesus’ new commandment to “love one another” (see John 3:34).