 Posted Sunday, August 18, 2002 9:59 AM
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As I mentioned in another topic, this Fall my Sunday School class will be studying cults using Walter Martin's book, The Kingdom of the Cults. Due to my CS background, I have been asked to teach the section on CS.
Whether you are former CS, still CS, or never been CS, I would appreciate your help and participation in my preparation. I'd like to be able to share more than one personal (though anonymous) perspective with the class using your one or two paragraph answers to the following question:
What do you want an orthodox (mainstream) Christian to know about CS?
Thanks,
Do Go Be Man
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Posted Sunday, August 18, 2002 7:07 PM
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| They should understand the language barrier they face when talking with Christian Scientists -- how words and phrases like matter, mind, man, God, Jesus, Christ, Holy Spirit, "Jesus died for our sins," heaven, and hell take on new meanings when interpreted through Mary Baker Eddy's writings. They should be shown examples of how Eddy's interpretations contradict (rather than spiritualizing or clarifying) those terms.
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Posted Sunday, August 18, 2002 7:20 PM
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AJ,
Thank you. That's exactly the kind of responses I'm hoping to get.
Do Go Be Man
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Posted Monday, August 19, 2002 12:05 AM
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Gee, I don't know how to say it any better than AJ.
I think something I might add is that there are no crosses
erected anywhere on the grounds of a CS church or even
inside the church.
Also, how angels are viewed in CS as being "spiriitual thoughts,"
instead of being what the Bible depicts them as being, a creation
a little higher than man.
Good luck!
Louise
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Posted Monday, August 19, 2002 8:27 AM
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Yes, that is always something that seemed rather empty to me about CS Churches. No crosses or any kind of reminder but they sure have MBE's name stamped everywhere.
Included with their"scientific definitions" it should be noted that they DO NOT believe that Jesus is God. I am amazed at this point in time as to how many different scriptural passages keep appearing that proclaim that Jesus is indeed God. Also, at this point in time I am becoming more disgusted at the length in which CS goes to down play the most significant name of Jesus Christ.
Something else that should be pointed out in your SS Class and would fall under their "definitions": The Holy Spirit is NOT Christian Science as they claim.
The more I study REAL truth the more I become speechless at the absolute lies told by CS.
Follow your Leader so far as she follows Christ???? Indeed! If this were obeyed there would not be a person left in that Church.
Peter
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Posted Monday, August 19, 2002 10:34 AM
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Dear Do Go Be Man,
What a Christian ought to know about CS...(I assume for purposes of evangelism)
CS is a very lonely religion, because of the lack of sympathy and compassion. That's because to sympathize with someone who is having a problem, you have to first acknowledge that a problem exists. this is especially true for a CSer who is dealing with bereavement.
Also, Science & Health puts a barrier between the student and the Bible. If you can ever get a CSer to do a focused Bible study on the Gospel of John, for example, without reference to CS, you will have gotten past a very important barrier. What does John say about Jesus? According the book of John, who is Jesus? What was Jesus' life purpose, according to John? Get them to answer questions using only John as authority...don't try to tell them what it means, just question them as to what passage in the book of John they are using as authority for their answer. This all implies that the discussion is taking place at the intellectual level, and not at the heart level. That can come later.
It is possible for a CSer to come to faith in Christ without first leaving CS. In fact, leaving CS can come quite a bit later. I have a friend who became a Christian 10 years before he left CS.
Carl
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Posted Sunday, September 22, 2002 11:59 AM
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The Sunday School class on cults I mentioned is underway. We've covered cults in general and the Jehovah's Witnesses. We will be covering CS next. Your notes have been very helpful and will be included in the class handouts. Thank you.
The class will take the format of me, as a former CS, being interviewed by the class leader. I will be discussing the culture of CS and some Bible verses that represent my experience with CS:
Genesis 1:31 – 2:6 (perfection of creation)
John 8:32 (displayed in most churches)
I John 3:1-3 (read in services)
Revelation 10:1-11, 12:1-17 (prophecy some believe refer to MBE and S&H)
As "Show and Tell" I plan to take my S&H, Prose Works, and Manual. Any thoughts on that?
Please pray for me. This will be my first face-to-face experience discussing CS as a Christian.
Do Go Be Man
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Posted Sunday, September 22, 2002 3:34 PM
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Do Go Be Man,
I will be praying for your Sunday School class as I'm sure all of us are. I have always had a concern about explaining CS to some one outside of it. I think I have a fear that they will find some part of it interesting and then begin to attend the church. Until you find Jesus, CS can make sense to some of us. I will pray that the Holy Spirit is in control of the classroom at all times so satan can't come in and make this heresy sound reasonable to your fellow seekers.
Am I being paranoid or do others of you have this concern? I fell for this malarky for 50 yrs. I have an above average intelligence. I read the bible. I didn't just stop with the Lesson Sermon. I would read on in the bible. I had questions - I just thought I didn't have the "right understanding" - so I just accepted what MBE said. Maybe it is because I taught my children this heresy that I have a fear of saying some thing that would make others think they should check out CS. Does this ever bother any one else?
Blessings,
Susan
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Posted Sunday, September 22, 2002 3:59 PM
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Do Go Be Man,
When you show the class Mrs. Eddy's writings, I suggest mentioning that Eddy published over 400 editions of Science and Health. This is interesting, since the book is supposedly divinely inspired and infallible (the Christian Scientists say that Eddy put out so many editions because she continually learned how to clarify and better express the Truth that God gave her). The over 400 editions of S&H is an interesting contrast to the Scriptures -- each book of which was written in one edition (Paul didn't continually re-issue his Epistle to the Ephesions, for instance.) I suspect that one source of Eddy's vast wealth was the fact that her students were expected to buy each new edition of Science and Health.
Susan,
When I've told people about CS, I've yet to have anyone say (or even look like they're thinking) that it sounds like something they'd like to explore as a good idea. The overwhelming reaction I've gotten is "You've got to be kidding. People really believe THAT?"
AJ
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Posted Monday, September 23, 2002 7:42 PM
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AJ,
Thanks for the suggestion. I added the multiple copyright dates and 400 editions to my notes re: S&H.
Susan,
I too was initially concerned about the possibility of enabling an attraction to CS. I've reached a good sense of peace, however, about what I plan to present. Thank you for being concerned.
I had lunch today with the class leader (he's also a church elder) for a final discussion about what we will cover. He will interview me in front of the class (probably 20 to 40 people). You should have seen his face as I tried to explain CS concepts (or lack thereof) of sin, Jesus, Tri-unity, creation, etc.
I am grateful for your prayers. I'll let you know how it turns out.
Do Go Be Man
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