Questions and answers about Christian Science

In an earlier issue of the Sentinel (August 27, 1990) we shared some questions and responses about Christian Science that came from a class of ministerial students who met with a Christian Scientist. We said then that we'd share in a future issue more of the interchange that took place during that meeting. Here is the balance of responses to questions about how Christian Scientist view some basic and important Christian concerns.

Question: Why do Christian Scientists study anything other than the Bible, such as Science and Health, for example?

Answer: Christian Scientists feel that the study of Christian Science enables them to follow Jesus better, to partake more deeply of the meaning of his life. Here one thing should be very clear: Christian Scientists do not regard Mrs. Eddy's work Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures as an addition to the Bible, as if Scripture were incomplete. Mrs. Eddy never intended to add anything to the Bible, but rather to open it up, making it more available. In fact, the first tenet of our faith, as stated in Science and Health, is "As adherents of Truth, we take the inspired Word of the Bible as our sufficient guide to eternal Life."