Christian Science
A theory of the nature of disease, a system of therapeutic practice, and a religious sect, founded on principles formulated by Mrs. Mary Baker Glover Eddy, of Concord, New Hampshire, U.S.A. Hence Christian Scientist, one who holds and practises this; a member of the sect founded by Mrs. Eddy.
The principal tenet of this theory is that matter is an illusion, and that therefore what is supposed to be bodily disease is an error of the mind, which may be cured by leading the patient to apprehend the truth as revealed in the teaching and healing of Jesus Christ. The churches of Christian Scientists are called ‘First (Second, etc.) Church of Christ, Scientist’.
| 1863 [cited as used by Quimby, in Georgine Milmine Life M. B. G. Eddy (1909) v. 87]. 1875 Mrs. Eddy Sci. & Health 456 Future years will..restore at length the fair proportions and radical claims of Christian Science. 1881 Ibid. (ed. 3) II. xi. 192 Platform of Christian Scientists. 1883 Mrs. Eddy Let. in Boston Post 7 Mar., My discovery, in 1866, of the Science of Mind-healing, since named Christian Science. 1888 F. Lord (title) Christian Science Healing: Its Principles and Practice. 1891 Mrs. Eddy Sci. & Health Pref. p. xi, The first school of Christian Science Mind-healing was begun by the author in Lynn, Massachusetts, about the year 1867, with only one student. 1903 N. Amer. Rev. Jan. 3 A Christian-Scientist church. 1911 G. B. Shaw Doctor's Dilemma Pref. p. xcii, The rise of Christian Science with its cathedrals and congregations and zealots and miracles and cures. Ibid. 279/2 The commercial general practitioner, who foolishy clamors for the prosecution..of the Christian Scientists when their patients die. 1962 R. B. Fuller Epic Poem on Industrialization 197 The Puritan stock..evolved successively: Unitarianism and Christian Science. |
¶ Note the earlier occurrence of the phrase in a different sense.
| 1850 W. Adams (title) The Elements of Christian Science, a treatise upon moral philosophy and practice. 1855 Tulloch Theol. Tendencies of the Age 12 The element of traditional authority..is to be regarded as in itself wholly invaluable for the interests of Christian Science. Ibid. 24 The final arbiter of Christian Science, in short, is not the Bible, but the prevailing Christian sentiment. |