CULTS
Christ SCIENTIST

Who are the Christian Scientists?
The church is recognized by the term The Christian Science Church, which was its original title and is not associated with the Church of Scientology. The organization was founded by Mary Baker Eddy in 1879. The church is also referred to as CCS, (Church of Christ Scientist). The CCS has approximately 2,300 churches in 68 countries.
The Foundation
Assuming the literature put out by the Christian Science Church, Mary Ann Morse Baker was born in 1821. As a youngster she was extremely frail and suffered from many illnesses. In 1844 her first husband died and left her in poverty with an infant son. Soon afterward she was forced to give this child up to foster care. In 1853 she married her second husband, Daniel Patterson. Mary Baker Eddy was involved in a crippling accident. By miraculous means she was healed. She claimed she had uncovered the secret of “Divine Science.” She went on to teach her techniques of healing and spiritual philosophy to all who were interested.
In 1875, after her divorce from Daniel Patterson, she moved from New Hampshire to Massachusetts and founded the Christian Science Association. It was there that she published her foundational book, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures. In 1877, she married her third husband, Asa Albert Eddy, and together they officially founded the CCS. Asa died in 1882, and Mary went on to establish "The Mother Church," The First Church of Christ, Scientist, of Boston, Massachusetts, in 1890. Mary died in 1910.
The Doctrine
Christian Scientist doctrine is found principally in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures (S&H). Other CCS publications include The Christian Science Monitor, The Christian Science Journal, Herald of Christian Science, The Christian Science Sentinel, The World Monitor, and Christian Science Quarterly.
Biblical Authority
Christian Science interprets the Bible in light of Mrs. Eddy's writings, particularly S&H, in which she interprets the Bible according to her metaphysical presuppositions. She questions the textual reliability of the Bible, pointing to "the manifest mistakes in the ancient versions . . . these facts show how a mortal and material sense stole into the divine record, with its own hue darkening to some extent the inspired pages" (S&H, p. 139). Mrs. Eddy went on to apply new spiritual meanings to common biblical terms. As an example; "Holy Ghost" is defined as "Divine Science; the development of eternal Life, Truth, and Love" (S&H, p. 588).
God
They use impersonal synonyms for God, which lessens God's personal nature. "God is incorporeal, divine, supreme, infinite Mind, Spirit, Soul, Principle, Life, Truth, Love" (S&H, p. 465). These are synonymous terms that "refer to one absolute God. They are also intended to express the nature, essence, and wholeness of Deity." (S&H, p. 465).
Spirit & Reality
Pain, death, sin, and disease are only illusions. "The only reality of sin, sickness, or death is the awful fact that unrealities seem real to human, erring belief…They are not true, because they are not of God" (S&H, p. 472). "The cause of all so-called disease is mental, a mortal fear, a mistaken belief or conviction of the necessity and power of ill-health" (S&H, p. 377). Since matter, sin, disease, and death are illusions and are unreal, then people are not subject to them. "Through immortal Mind, or Truth, we can destroy all ills which proceed from mortal mind" (S&H, p. 374). "Spirit is God, and man is His image and likeness. Therefore man is not material; he is spiritual" (S&H, p. 468).
What About Salvation?
salvation is not the result of some special wisdom set forth in the S&H. The Bible tells us that salvation is received only by acknowledging and repenting of our sin (real, not illusion), and putting our faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. A Christian Scientist believes that sin and death are false notions (illusions). Therefore, salvation comes through understanding and overcoming these false beliefs and recognizing that humans are divine spirit and mind.

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Next month we’ll start a new series on prayer. E.A. Woods has an amazing grasp on prayer….all the how, when, where and why we need to be praying continuously.

A Little Humor

EXPLANATION OF GOD:

It was written by an 8-year-old named Danny Dutton, who lives in Chula Vista, CA. He wrote it for his third grade homework assignment, to 'explain God.'
'One of God's main jobs is making people. He makes them to replace the ones that die, so there will be enough people to take care of things on earth. He doesn't make grownups, just babies. I think because they are smaller and easier to make. That way he doesn't have to take up his valuable time teaching them to talk and walk. He can just leave that to mothers and fathers.''God's second most important job is listening to prayers An awful lot of this goes on, since some people, like preachers and things, pray at times beside bedtime. God doesn't have time to listen to the radio or TV because of this. Because he hears everything, there must be a terrible lot of noise in his ears, unless he has thought of a way to turn it off.''God sees everything and hears everything and is everywhere which keeps Him pretty busy. So you shouldn't go wasting his time

by going over your mom and dad's head asking for something they said you couldn't have.

''Atheists are people who don't believe in God. I don't think there are any in Chula Vista. At least there aren't any who come to our church''Jesus is God's Son. He used to do all the hard work, like walking on water and performing miracles and trying to teach the people who didn't want to learn about God. They finally got tired of him preaching to them and they crucified him. But he was good and kind, like his father, and he told his father that they didn't know what they were doing and to forgive them and God said O.K.''His dad (God) appreciated everything that he had done and all his hard work on earth so he told him he didn't have to go out on the road anymore.. He could stay in heaven. So he did. And now he helps his dad out by listening to prayers and seeing things which are important for God to take care of and which ones he can take care of himself without having to bother God. Like a secretary, only more important.''You can pray anytime you want and they are sure to help you because they got it worked out so one of them is on duty all the time.'

'You should always go to church on Sunday because it makes God happy, and if there's anybody you want to make happy, it's God!Don't skip church to do something you think will be more fun like going to the beach. This is wrong. And besides the sun doesn't come out at the beach until noon anyway.''If you don't believe in God, besides being an atheist, you will be very lonely, because your parents can't go everywhere with you, like to camp, but God can. It is good to know He's around you when you're scared, in the dark or when you can't swim and you get thrown into real deep water by big kids.''But...you shouldn't just always think of what God can do for you. I figure God put me here and he can take me back anytime he pleases.And...that's why I believe in God.'
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Know when to speak #16

During the past 15 months we have gone over the major points of sharing the gospel with our family, friends or even strangers we have just encountered. There are about fifteen verses from the Bible that aid in the discussion. When sharing the good news with someone, it is a good idea to have a firm idea of what the verses say, and just as important, where they are at in the Bible. Your credibility will go down the drain if you mention a verse and the person you are speaking to asks you where it’s at in the Bible, …..and you can’t take them there.

Ok! You’ve reached the point that you can ask the person if they would like to received Christ today…..right now. For the sake of this discussion we’ll say your person has said yes. Your next response is to say and ask the following:
* Are you ready to transfer your trust for your eternal life to Jesus?
* Are you ready to receive Christ as your personal savior?
* Are you ready to receive Christ as Lord?
* Are you willing to repent? (repent is defined as changing your way)
Then you might say; If this is what you want, we can go to God right now and tell Him what you have just told me.
At this point your person might be a little nervous. They may have never prayed before, and aren’t sure what to do. You can tell them that you will lead them in a prayer to God, and they can repeat after you. You can then start the prayer, and go through the main points of the gospel. Points like: thank you for eternal life, I know that I am a sinner, Jesus paid price on the cross, please come into my heart, and thanks for saving me. Then close the prayer. It doesn’t have to be long, just to the point. God knows what’s happening!
At this point get out a Bible. Turn to John 6:47, and let your person read it out loud. (“Verily, verily I say unto you. He who believes has eternal life.”) Ask your person if he/she believes what he/she just read.
Welcome to the forever family…..

Happy Easter!