Editorial September 23, 1991 Issue

Why does Christian Science treatment heal and how does it work?

Allison W. Phinney, Jr.

You don't have to read much about Christian Science before you realize that when Christian Scientists speak of "treatment," they are talking about a specific kind of prayer that heals. They are not just "hoping" prayer will bring a positive response from God but they are clearly expecting prayer, or treatment, to have a healing effect.

Interestingly, this conviction isn't based on some kind of "holier than thou" outlook but actually on just the opposite. One of the things you soon learn about Christian Scientists is that they don't believe you have to have achieved some incredibly saintly status in order to be healed or to deserve healing.

It's true that genuine spirituality is involved in Christian Science healing—not some kind of esoteric assertion of mental control over the body, not some sort of hyped-up willpower. A deep love for God and a desire to make progress in drawing closer to Him are required. But Christian Scientists believe ordinary people can find healing through prayer because of all that God is rather than because of building up some special human deserving.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Editorial

Bring on the heroes