I have received a couple of further thoughts regarding Christian Scientists. The first (from Linda Bargman) says:
"Hi Vic,
I think I can answer your question that you "would like to understand about the half a million plus errors within the Bible (not individually of course, but in terms of genre, repetitive themes and the like). Do Christian Scientists really believe there are so many erors or is this a misrepresentation?"
When Mary Baker Eddy wrote that phrase in 1875, she was quoting her beloved 1868 copy of Smith's Bible dictionary. She was an amazing Bible scholar, reading and studying about the Bible as well as looking to it as her ONLY guide in daily life.
Most Christian Scientists study the Bible on a daily basis, and use the Bible as the basis for their decisions. Science and Health is a textbook and includes a description of the Bible as "the chart of life" in it.
I recommend you read the book, since you are already very familar with the Holy Bible, and it might answer some of your questions, instead of waiting for individual Christian Scientists to tell you what they think..."
I have now sourced a copy of 'H&S' and am engaged in reading it and will return when I have some observations and opinions of a more informed kind to add to this place.
The second communication comes from a former member of the CS, who writes:
"As a former Christian Scientist,who was in CS from early childhood, I can confirm that it was instilled into our minds that "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" was, indeed, "The Key" to the Scriptures-necessary to rid ourselves of "old theology" and to aid us in spiritual development, including physical healing.
A comparison between MBE's (Mary Baker Eddy's) writings and Quimby's (George Quimby's) writings of that day would bring into question the so-called revelation of the former.
As for fairness, reading "The Religion that Kills,Christian Science:Abuse, Neglect and Mind Control" by Dr. Linda S Kramer (to name but one of many books on this subject))will be most informative as to the ill-effects of Christian Science.
ExCSUK,which exists to support those who have endured pain and misery and death of loved ones at the hands of radical CSists,who deny themselves the use of any medical treatment, www.excs.blogspot.com is happy to provide copies! refers.
So more grist to the mill and more food for thought.
For those who read this and have some informed position regarding the CS types, Scripture and the errors that the Bible contains, if the 600,000 errors is an incorrect positioning of MBE and her views and attitudes towards the Bible, what is a true figure? Also, regarding Biblical errors, what number do CS members generally assume to be accurate?
1 comment:
Dear Vic –
You strike me as a true Christian. Thank you for your sincerity. I indeed value your faith, and it would be a pleasure to continue engaging with you and your blog. I believe someone has sufficiently addressed the challenges that Smith also mentions about the minor mistakes that may have occurred in Bible translations. But in any case, I trust that with not much more input from insights that others have gained, the Bible alone would prove to be all on earth that I needed for guidance. With regards to the word "personal,” my faith depends on the Biblical idea that “God is love.” I find this divine Love to be very different from the short-lived, self-absorbed so-called love we see on television, but it is indeed personal. We saw it in Jesus, whose life was the manifestation of divine Love.
In response to the anonymous posting, my heart goes out to any who feel grief and loss. I too have lost loved ones earlier than I would have liked. Some were Christian Scientists, many were not and had rejected prayer and Christ. It is true that Christian Scientists generally choose spiritual treatment over medical treatment, but this comes as a result of having found a proven, reliable way of experiencing God’s healing power. And yes it comes as a result of a particular view of theology, one that sheds the “old” for the “new covenant.” St. Paul was on to something, and for that reason he was a great healer. May all find the blessings of the new covenant!
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