It is coincidental that the decline of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, should overlap the release of 21st Century Science and Health—a revision and update of the movements founding book, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, written by religious leader, Mary Baker Eddy in the 19th century. The recent release of the 4th edition 21st Century Science and Health has prompted debate over the purpose of its followers and what Science and Health allows them to do.
The society of what has been branded Christian Scientists is more philosophical than they admit. References to Eddy’s writings enter their conversations more often than positions on current affairs or advancements in education because students feel bound by the founding principles of Christian Science.
This has advantages and disadvantages. The biggest advantages are that Christian Scientists tend to argue on the basis of high principles. The biggest disadvantage is that differences over what book to read are often disguised as differences over whether a preferred choice is legitimate Christian Science or not.
Christian Scientists could be addressing pragmatic questions—Will modern vernacular work in today’s society? Will correct terminology solve the problem of confusion? Is a revision of Science and Health something The First Church of Christ, Scientist should do something about? But instead Christian Scientists fall back on abstract discussions of whether a revision of Eddy’s Science and Health violates the faith of Christian Science.
Falling back on the intangible is not a recent habit. When modern Bible versions became available in the 20th century, some Christian Scientists proposed breaking out of the trap of grounding Science and Health on archaic King James language. The idea was strongly opposed by many members of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, setting a pattern for the future by declaring any change of Eddy’s words invalidates Christian Science, moreover would be against Eddy’s wishes as expressed in the Church Manual and her other writings.
Those who claim we can be so certain of Eddy’s “original” intentions should take note: Science and Health was revised hundreds of times by Eddy herself who read many Bible versions at a time when books weren’t so easily accessible; and the Church Manual is a governing document that was the product of compromises and arguments.
We can recognize the extraordinary character of Eddy while also acknowledging that she was enmeshed in the historical circumstances of her times—as we are today. Christian Scientists do a disservice to themselves and Eddy alike if they take her out of history and demand she settle arguments that we ought to settle on our own. Eddy after all was not timid or bound by her past. She was adventurous and brave. Her writings were novel compared to the 19th century religious customs. Eddy thought and acted anew. We can pay a respectful regard to the former times while no longer suffering a blind veneration for antiquated rituals and customs.
Christian Scientists are truer to the founding principles of Christian Science when following Eddy by having more confidence in our own good sense and our knowledge of our own situation. Eddy’s genius lies in the fact she created a society that can act, move forward. The revision, 21st Century Science and Health proposes to Christian Scientists a new spiritual revival echoing her words as found in the first sentence of her Preface to Science and Health, “To those leaning on the sustaining infinite, today is big with blessings.”
Blessings do not come by leaning on antiquated human language but by leaning on the sustaining infinite. Yes, the sustaining infinite is fully capable and willing to support our practice of wellbeing, spiritual power, and dynamic manifestations.