Beliefs
Christian Scientists do not have an
organizational creed. However, the following is a brief exposition
of the important points, or tenets, of the religion as given
in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker
Eddy (p. 496):
- As adherents of Truth, we take the
inspired Word of the Bible as our sufficient guide to eternal
Life.
- We acknowledge and adore one supreme
and infinite God. We acknowledge His Son, one Christ; the
Holy Ghost or divine Comforter; and man in God's image and
likeness.
- We acknowledge God's forgiveness
of sin in the destruction of sin and the spiritual understanding
that casts out evil as unreal. But the belief in sin is
punished so long as the belief lasts.
- We acknowledge Jesus' atonement
as the evidence of divine, efficacious Love, unfolding man's
unity with God through Christ Jesus the Way-shower; and
we acknowledge that man is saved through Christ, through
Truth, Life, and Love as demonstrated by the Galilean Prophet
in healing the sick and overcoming sin and death.
- We acknowledge that the crucifixion
of Jesus and his resurrection served to uplift faith to
understand eternal Life, even the allness of Soul, Spirit,
and the nothingness of matter.
- And we solemnly promise to watch,
and pray for that Mind to be in us which was also in Christ
Jesus; to do unto others as we would have them do unto us;
and to be merciful, just, and pure.
Seeking and finding God is central
to the practice of Christian Science. God is understood as
the all-loving, omnipotent Father-Mother, and Christ Jesus
as His Son. Jesus' human life characterized the kind of sonship
that Christian Scientists believe is provable for all as the
children of God. He is seen as the Exemplar, the Way-shower.
The divine nature he expressed is the Christ, and the Christ
God's expression of Himself is eternal and ever-present.
Understanding man's pure, indestructible relationship with
God is what results in regeneration and healing.
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