Are Christian Science churches still needed? For those who come expecting the equivalent of Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven and get instead second-rate rockabilly, possibly not. Because a structure has a sign outside reading Church of Christ, Scientist, "it ain't necessarily so".
As we know, Mrs. Eddy gives us the definition of church briefly and clearly in Science and Health. An institution which calls itself a Christian Science church but fails to make a persistent and honest college try at demonstrating that definition is a sham. Sincere seekers of Truth have a right to expect the genuine article when they attend a Christian Science Sunday Service or Wednesday Meeting. To fail them is a betrayal, to be a fig tree which bears no figs.
Anyone can mouth uplifting words, but only unquestionable and legitimizing proofs and demonstration matter. A church deceptively padded with counterfeit substitutes isn't of much account in enriching poor humanity's affections, and neither is a publication bloated with soigne babble.
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20 comments:
You are so good! How right you are that humanity, so in need of Christ healing, has every right to expect the genuine article when they see "Christian Science" on a sign outside a church or on the periodicals. (You've turned me to the dictionary for "gimcrack" and I see it means a bauble, some glittery object.)
Thanks for all you are doing to uphold the high standard our Leader established for her Church.
Well expressed, blogger. I always get a lot from what you share with us, and I am so grateful you are using your considerable talent and intelligence to uphold the high standards of our religion.
Good job!
Intended to check out "The Broken Net" tomorrow, but glad I decided to today. So well put and I echo what another commenter said about being grateful you are working to remind people that Christian Science as our Leader established it has very high standards, and that these need to be upheld by us.
Thanks much.
A thought-provoking entry. As to church no longer being necessary, I do recall reading something in
Prose Works where Mrs. Eddy says in essence that organization is necessary in the beginning, but that it may outlive its usefulness. (my words, not hers.) But this is the gist of it, and for me, the time has come that I get nothing from branch church attendance. It has become so corrupted, so unlike the Christian Science I grew up with, just can't go there, literally and figuratively.
Good blog post!
This post gives me pause, as First Reader especially. Do people want to hear the same things read in the same way, year in and year out, to the point that we no longer think? Just today a member told me that he thinks of the words; I said I think of the words but I primarily think of the argument: the points being made and how they are made. I think the death of CS will be if it descends into ritualism, sounding more like intoning a mantra or telling a rosary. Yet, if a reader actually shows any signs of life or intelligence, any indication that the material is vital and needed, some people see it as gimmicky innovation. And heaven forfend that we should ever laugh!
Another great one, blogger! Genuine Christian Science Churches are certainly needed more than ever today.
But that begs the question, are there any genuine Christian Science Churches any more? I don't really know. Perhaps somewhere, but none where I live although there are still three in this city with the name out front.
An interesting fact to contemplate: Primitive Christian healing began to disappear at approximately the time large numbers of Christian church edifices appeared--the third century.
Genuine Christian Science healing and practice began to decline at approximately the same time there were large numbers of Christian Science Branch Churches to join and attend. Think on that one, folks!
To me church can be defined--in addition to Mrs. Eddy's very fine definition-- most fundamentally as an avenue to the Christ. Taken in that light, once a "church" ceases to be an avenue to the Christ, it ceases to fulfill its function and becomes useless. And evaluated thusly, is the Christian Science Church of today still an avenue to the Christ? I certainly couldn't recommend it to anyone searching for the Christ today. Study of the Bible (KJV), Mrs. Eddy's works, and certain writings of the early workers yes, certainly. The Church? Not hardly.
My view really took a radical turn a number of years ago during a period of deep and consecrated prayer over the church. I was awakened in the wee hours by a voice I have heard so clearly only very rarely in my life saying simply: "Christ is ALL. Church is nothing!" It was so strong and so clear and unexpected and so far from the direction I thought my prayer was headed, I am absolutely certain Who was speaking to me.
Thanks again, for another insightful entry, blogger!
Always get something substantial from reading your blog, and this was no exception. While the local church has Christian Science on the sign, it is so far from what our Leader intended, my family doesn't even bother going anymore. I suspect this happens a lot these days.
Thanks...
Love what a previous commenter said about Christ being all! Yes indeed Christ is. Let us not forget this, as putting forth Christ's words and works is what Christian Science is all about.
Well done entry.
Don't understand what "crack" means in your title, but have an idea about "gimcrack." Anyway, really get a kick out of the way you express things.
I intend to be a regular visitor to this site.
Thanks.
To follow up on a previous comment, I'd have to say that with six hundred pages in the Textbook and, twelve or thirteen hundred from the Bible, there is more than enough material to draw upon for an eternity of lessons and Wednesday readings. Salvation is individual. If an individual fails to raise him/herself from apathy and lethargy, it's not the fault of the First Reader. And trying to infuse merely "theatrical" emphasis to arouse interest is unlikely to do the trick.
The "fresh and inspiring" part comes from prayerful listening while assembling the readings. That is the responsibility of the Reader for Wednesday and the Bible Lesson Committee for Sunday. The Reader's understanding of the material should very naturally infuse it with meaningful emphasis.
Unfortunately, as has been discussed in this blog previously the Bible Lesson Committee seems to be pushing the agenda of the Directors and somewhat lacking in any real understanding of Christian Science. Certainly compared to the lessons available from the Bookmark of the previous century.
As far as announcements go, I remember when I was Reading, there was a contingent who wanted new "fresh" announcements almost every week, "to attract/appeal to newcomers." Well, duh, if they're newcomers a twenty year old announcement will be new to them!! Certainly one wouldn't want to use exactly the same announcements week after week, but a rotation of four to six different sets is more than sufficient.
Can't help wondering if the blogger isn't getting at this point: It's one thing to "outgrow" the perfect execution of the human organization of church but quite another to be left high and dry church-wise by an organization that has degenerated into moral idiocy. Mrs. Eddy was probably referring to the former situation and would be highly displeased with the latter with regards to her church.
You know our Leader would be displeased with the state of her Church! But there are many of us who care enough to try to maintain the inspired standards she established for her Cause, (for God's Cause actually) and this blog is doing much in the right direction.
God bless you for what you are giving!
Love your last sentence especially. This says it all, and more and more of us out here are waking up to what should be the standard for church services--namely, what the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science thought best. God inspired her in all she did, and unless we look more to Him for inspiration and guidance, things will go on at a pitiful level, and keep turning people away.
All the best to you, blogger.
I don't think it matters what type of music is played, how the reader reads announcements, or how flowery prose can sound....what matters is whether or not there is HEALING occuring in a church! I may be moved for inspiration by a more modern tune, while my elder counterparts may love a more traditional form...but can we HEAL anymore? Having lost someone dearest to me while relying on Christian Science, I am so saddened to read of such contention among the followers. I am asking myself, is this why there is so little healing going on anymore?
The previous commenter brings up a vital point: better healing, Christ healing. Sorry this person lost someone under CS treatment. Is this individual calling for better healing in the practice, taking patients, on the front lines, as it were? As a Journal listed practitioner, tell me we don't know there must be better work done. People are receiving benefits from relying on Christian Science, let it be said. But we all can do better, and I hope this person has signed up for the duration!
I second what the previous commenter has pointed out. Does any one honestly think that those of us who read of Jesus' marvelous demonstrations of God's power do not yearn to emulate him? Of course we do, and that's why we study the textbook of Christian Science. "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy certainly shows the way, and that is why it needs to be pored over.
Thanks much for this blog,
Just love your blog! Always a pleasure to read something on Christian Science so well written.
Keep up the good work you are doing.
So glad there is someone out here at work to remind everyone of the high standards set by the Discoverer and Founder of our religion! Keep pointing out where things have gotten off track, will you?
I'm a first time visitor to your site, and I like what I've read so far. Very cleverly done, and you make very solid points. I'll check in from time to time to see what issues you're tackling.
Well done,
If we only had more like you! It's so refreshing to see a follower of Christ's teachings as presented by Christian Science who is willing to speak the truth about what's going on.
Really enjoy your blog.
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