Christian Science Beliefs - Contemporary Christian Science

Christian Scientist Believe by Christopher Grove

1. ...that “consciousness” and not matter is the primary substance of the universe.
2. ...matter is an illusory construct of consciousness. The belief that matter is substantive is erroroneous or simply “error”.
3. ...Man is spiritual in nature and not material. The physical is only material display.
4. ...“There is no life, truth, intelligence, nor substance in matter. All is infinite Mind and its infinite manifestation, for God is All-in-all. Spirit is immortal Truth; matter is mortal error. Spirit is the real and eternal; matter is the unreal and temporal. Spirit is God, and man is His image and likeness. Therefore man is not material; he is spiritual.” (Mary Baker Eddy -Science & Health)
5. ...Man is the inseparable and perfect idea of God. “God is as an Ocean. Man is as the waves on the God Ocean. From one perspective you could say that they are one and the same and this would be true. From another perspective you could say that the waves are in fact individual and this would also be true. Man is UNDELINEATED and INSEPARABLE from God, divine Life.” (Christopher R. Grove) [webmaster note: this idea was originally expressed by Shakyamuni Buddha]
6. ...that the “original sin” is simply the erroneous belief that man is separate from God. This belief lead to the self-deception or delusion that Life, Truth, intelligence or substance was in matter rather than in Spirit/universal consciousness.
7. ...that when you “know the truth” of Man’s inseparable relationship with God as God’s perfect idea then that Truth will manifest itself in your life as health and harmony in direct proportion as your understanding of this Truth.
8. ... that the process of understanding and knowing Truth is prayer. Prayer should not be a wordy and shallow petitioning to God who already knows all, including your every need.
9. ...that death is an erroneous illusion of substance in material display. Jesus’ experience on the cross showed the unreality of death.
10. ...that God is divine Principle, Mind, Soul, Spirit, Life, Truth and Love; each of these being synonomous with God.