Background Information
Christian Science is an interpretation of Christianity, which traces its beginnings to Mrs. Mary Baker Eddy in the late 19th century. It is an offshoot of Christian faith and reads the Bible in a spiritual, instead of literal, way. Eddy further developed her spiritual interpretation of the Bible and shared it with others through the founding of The First Church of Christ, Scientist in 1879. While it is considered its own religion, Christian Science shares most of its core beliefs with Christianity, including the belief in a divine Creator and that Jesus is the Son of God.
How Is Christian Science Different From Christianity?
Christian Science and Christianity are similar in that they both come from a Christian base, but they differ in their interpretation and understanding of scripture, as well as their views on how to approach and heal physical ailments. One major difference is the explanation of physical illness. Whereas Christianity seeks peace and healing through prayer, Christian Science suggests that only through understanding spiritual truths can someone approach healing and peace.
Christian Science furthermore focuses on the spiritual healing from Jesus, rather than physical healing. In Christian Science, it is believed that Jesus healed through understanding spiritual principles, such as Love, Truth and Justice. Christians see Jesus as providing healing for all types of ailments, both physical and spiritual.
Christian Science also differs from Christianity in that the inherent emphasis is on personal responsibility – rather than looking to a greater external source to solve one’s problems – as a way to gain healing and peace. The Church of Christ, Scientist endorses and utilizes prayer as a way to gain understanding, as well as healing. The Church also provides services such as Christian Science healing lectures and Christian Science nursing homes, which can provide specialized care tailored to the needs of individuals.
Bible Interpretations
Another difference between Christian Science and Christianity is their interpretations of the Bible. Christianity views the Bible as a literal, physical book while Christian Science creates a spiritual interpretation of it. At times, Christian Science creates an interpretation of the Bible that is vastly different than the accepted interpretation of Christianity, such as the idea of a trinity, the traditional interpretation of heaven and hell, and even the creation of man and woman.
Unlike Christianity, Christian Science does not accept the view that Jesus was divine. Christian Science also does not accept the traditional interpretation of the resurrection of Jesus. To explain the resurrection, Christian Science suggests that Jesus, who was already spiritually alive, became fully alive in a physical sense by understanding spiritual truth and rising above the material realm.
The Bible as a Guide
Christianity and Christian Science both believe that the Bible is a source of truth and provides guidance, but Christian Science puts a stronger emphasis on the power of the Bible to provide healing and guidance in our lives. While Christianity views the Bible as a book of spiritual wisdom, Christian Science sees it as a guide for life and healing. Christian Science encourages readers to use the Bible as a source of study and suggests that the Bible can help us gain insight that can lead us to healing and spiritual transformation.
Different Faith Practices
The Christian and Christian Science faiths have both adapted over time due to their diverse and unique interpretations of scripture. As Christianity became more structured and institutionalized, it focused more heavily on doctrine, worship practices and liturgies, religious teachings, and the Bible itself.
Christian Science, on the other hand, believes in the truth of the Bible, but diverges in its spiritual interpretation of scripture, rather than the literal one. As Christian Science has developed, the focus has more been on healing through prayer, meditation, and study of the Bible, as well as other spiritual writings and teachings.
Views on Medicine
The traditional beliefs of Christianity dictate that physical ailments can be healed through prayer, while Christian Science suggests that true healing lies in understanding the deeper spiritual truth. This difference in views also affects the way that each faith approaches traditional medicine. Christianity is open to medical treatments, but suggests that prayer should be included as well. Christian Science, however, views traditional medical treatments as inferior to spiritual healing, and does not allow the use of medicines or traditional medical practices to treat physical ailments.
Importance of Love
Both Christianity and Christian Science place emphasis on the importance of love. Christianity views love as an expression of the divine, and understanding of God’s unconditional love for humanity. Christian Science also believes in the power of love, but views love as a healing power that can offer protection from evil and can provide strength and comfort. Furthermore, while Christianity views love as a feeling, Christian Science sees it as a spiritual force that can lead to healing and guidance.
Unity of Humanity
In addition to the importance of love, both Christian Science and Christianity share the belief that all people are united in the divine, namely in the image of God. Christianity views all people as being equally loved and equally deserving of divine grace. Christian Science also acknowledges this unity and believes that by understanding and acknowledging our oneness with the divine, we can gain strength and understanding that can help us heal.
Doctrine and Beliefs
Although both faiths offer similar ideas, the doctrine and beliefs of Christianity and Christian Science have distinct differences. Christianity traditionally has had a structure with a hierarchy of leaders and governed by distinct doctrines, religious practices, liturgies and formal worship.
Christian Science does not have formal doctrine, does not have a hierarchy of leaders, and does not encourage formal worship other than its own services. Furthermore, instead of relying solely upon religious teachings and practices, Christian Science focuses more on understanding spiritual truths as a way to gain healing, instead of relying solely on prayer.
Relationship to Nature
Christianity and Christian Science are similar in how they view the relationship of humanity to nature. They both believe in an understanding and respect of the spiritual truth that exists in all things. Christianity views this as an echo of God’s creative power, while Christian Science sees it more as an expression of spiritual understanding and harmony.
Christianity believes that as humanity evolved and multiplied, it gained more of a responsibility to care for and respect nature. Christian Science also sees this as important, and believes that true harmony can only be achieved when one is in tune with Nature and the greater spiritual truths that exist within it.
Mind, Body and Spirit
Christianity and Christian Science are similar in that they both acknowledge that one’s physical health is inextricably linked to their spiritual health. Christianity views this in terms of physical and spiritual healing, as one affects the other. Christian Science mimics this idea by also suggesting that physical sickness can be healed by understanding and utilizing spiritual truths.
Christian Science does differ however, in that instead of prayer as the primary source for healing, it emphasizes understanding spiritual truths as the key to achieving physical, mental and spiritual health. In essence, understanding spiritual truth is regarded by Christian Science as a way to gain and maintain overall wellbeing, rather than a specific healing practice.
