HOW DOES ONE BECOME A STUDENT OF CHRISTIAN SCIENCE?
All you need to
do is study the Textbook, Science and Health, and strive daily to
put
into practice what you are learning. You do not need to join a
church or group, although
these are available in many areas for those
who find such support useful. Churches
provide an opportunity to meet
other students, and to use what you are learning about
Christian Science
in a supportive atmosphere. But, the church does not have a
monopoly
on the Textbook, and those who do not want to get involved with
organized
religion may feel free to study Science and Health and call themselves
students of Christian Science.
The Textbook itself is a teacher and
guide, and, in conjunction with God's daily
revelations to you, should
be sufficient for your spiritual education. But, if you would
like
to have personal instruction, there are experienced Christian Science
teachers
available. Their names are listed in The Christian Science
Journal, which is available
from The Christian Science Publishing Society
in Boston (check on-line). If you have
a Christian Science Reading
Room in your area, you might find it a great source for
literature.
My
CS Links page has links to web sites offering more literature for
sale
on Christian Science, although they are not official outlets
of the church headquarters.
Also helpful are public practitioners
of Christian Science. Most are authorized by
The Mother Church in
Boston and are listed in The Christian Science Journal. There
are others
who have web sites, or listings in the Yellow Pages. These wonderful
people are devoted to the full-time healing ministry. Call them for
prayerful assistance
if you would like to try spiritual healing for
your problems. Most would be happy to
work with you and get you started
in your study of Christian Science.
The CSPS also publishes a study
guide, The Quarterly Bible Lessons. These are
daily lessons focused
on a theme for the week. On Sundays, the lesson is read at
CS church
services all over the world. Mrs. Eddy had designated the Bible and
Science and Health as the official "Pastor" for CS churches.
This means that you
will not hear a personal sermon delivered from
the podium, but will be listening to
the Word of God straight from
the books, with no comments from the Readers.
Unlike other worldwide
religions, however, the same lesson will be read at all
Christian Science
churches and societies, so no matter where you travel or
move, the
message will be consistent. It sends a powerful prayerful message
out
into the world each week.
WHAT ADVICE DOES MRS. EDDY GIVE FOR THOSE
WANTING TO
STUDY AND PRACTICE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE EFFECTIVELY?
"The
purpose and motive to live aright can be gained now. This point won,
you have
started as you should. You have begun at the numeration-table
of Christian Science,
and nothing but wrong intention can hinder your
advancement. Working and praying
with true motives, your Father will
open the way. 'Who did hinder you, that ye should
not obey the truth?'"
(S&H 345)
"Systematic teaching and the student's spiritual growth
and experience in practice
are requisite for a thorough comprehension
of Christian Science. Some individuals
assimilate truth more readily
than others, but any student, who adheres to the divine
rules of Christian
Science and imbibes the spirit of Christ, can demonstrate Christian
Science, cast out error, heal the sick, and add continually to his
store of spiritual
understanding, potency, enlightenment, and success."
(S&H 461)
"Although this volume [Science and Health] contains
the complete Science of
Mind-healing, never believe that you can absorb
the whole meaning of the Science
by a simple perusal of this book.
The book needs to be studied, and the demonstra-
tion of the rules
of scientific healing will plant you firmly on the spiritual ground-
work
of Christian Science. This proof lifts you high above the perishing
fossils of
theories already antiquated, and enables you to grasp the
spiritual facts of being
hitherto unattained and seemingly dim." (S&H
147)
"During the sensual ages, absolute Christian Science may not
be achieved prior to
the change called death, for we have not the
power to demonstrate what we do not
understand. But the human self
must be evangelized. This task God demands us to
accept lovingly to-day,
and to abandon so fast as practical the material, and to work
out
the spiritual which determines the outward and actual." (S&H 254)
"The sharp experiences of belief in the supposititious life of matter,
as well as our
disappointments and ceaseless woes, turn us like tired
children to the arms of divine
Love. Then we begin to learn Life in
divine Science. Without this process of
weaning, 'Canst thou by searching
find out God?' It is easier to desire Truth than to
rid one's self
of error. Mortals may seek the understanding of Christian Science,
but
they will not be able to glean from Christian Science the facts
of being without
striving for them. This strife consists in the endeavor
to forsake error of every kind
and to possess no other consciousness
but good." (S&H 322)
"The effects of Christian Science are
not so much seen as felt. It is the 'still, small
voice' of Truth
uttering itself. We are either turning away from this utterance, or
we
are listening to it and going up higher. Willingness to become
as a little child and to
leave the old for the new, renders thought
receptive of the advanced idea. Gladness
to leave the false landmarks
and joy to see them disappear, -- this disposition helps
to precipitate
the ultimate harmony. The purification of sense and self is a proof
of
progress. 'Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.'"
(S&H 323)
"No impossible thing do I ask when urging the claims
of Christian Science; but
because this teaching is in advance of the
age, we should not deny our need of its
spiritual unfoldment." (S&H
371)
"To mortal sense Christian Science seems abstract, but the process
is simple and the
results are sure if the Science is understood. The
tree must be good, which produces
good fruit. Guided by divine Truth
and not guesswork, the theologus (that is, the
student -- the Christian
and scientific expounder -- of the divine law) treats disease
with
more certain results than any other healer on the globe. The Christian
Scientist
should understand and adhere strictly to the rules of divine
metaphysics as laid down
in this work, and rest his demonstration
on this sure basis." (S&H 459)
"Whoever would demonstrate the
healing of Christian Science must abide strictly by
its rules, heed
every statement, and advance from the rudiments laid down. There is
nothing difficult nor toilsome in this task, when the way is pointed
out; but self-denial,
sincerity, Christianity, and persistence alone
win the prize, as they usually do in
every department of life." (S&H
462)
"Question. - How can I progress most rapidly in the understanding
of Christian
Science?
Answer. - Study thoroughly the letter and imbibe
the spirit. Adhere to the divine
Principle of Christian Science and
follow the behests of God, abiding steadfastly in
wisdom, Truth, and
Love." (S&H 495)
"If ever I wear out from serving students, it
shall be in the effort to help them to
obey the Ten Commandments and
imbibe the spirit of Christ's Beatitudes." (Mis. 303)
You can learn
more about how to "obey the Ten Commandments and imbibe the
spirit
of Christ's Beatitudes" throughout my web-site, which is dedicated
to those
Biblical teachings. I believe they are the essential "first
lessons" for students of
wanting to learn more about the teachings
of Christian Science. I recommend my
mother's lecture that she delivered
many years ago when she was a public lecturer
effects
Christian Science had on our family when it was first introduced to
us.
I am also adding other articles she published.
Again, I strongly
recommend that you do not delay in purchasing your own copy of
Science
and Health. You can find it through bookstores, on the Web at
places like
Amazon.com or Ebay.com and Alibris.com for used copies.
Most libraries should
have a copy in stock. Check my
CS Links page for
on-line firms which offer the
Textbook for sale. It is possible
to read Science and Health on-line, but I do not
recommend that as
an introduction. It is a book meant to be held and studied
carefully
and thoughtfully and slowly.
If you have any further questions that
have not been answered here, please do not
