 Posted Monday, January 26, 2009 12:38 PM
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I am so thankful that I found your site today as I was researching CS because of my new friend who is a faithful CS. I am an evangelical Christian who raised in a Christian home and am active as an adult in my local church (my children are college-age.) I have recently become friends with a woman at work and we have even begun to travel together. We are going on a trip with a long car ride in March. We have talked only briefly about our beliefs and mainly keeping it to "safe" topics and areas where we agree....morals, etc. I have been trying to earn her respect and trust. We have great open discussions about life. HOW SHOULD I START to discuss CS and some of its false doctrine?
Concerned Friend
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Posted Monday, January 26, 2009 1:02 PM
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| They are tough nuts to crack. My advice to you is to just keep the topic on what you can agree on. If you value the friendship, do not try to push your religion on her.
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Posted Monday, January 26, 2009 1:24 PM
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Dear concerned friend,
As an evangelical raised in a Christian Science home I can tell you what I would suggest. I would pray without ceasing about this between now and your road trip. Ask the Lord for opportunities to share the truth of the gospel with her. Ask him boldly to give you the words. As for sharing what is wrong with Christian Science, I say don't. Let the Holy Spirit do his work on his time table. This is easier said than done , but God is mighty to save and always faithful. I will pray that the eyes of her heart will be opened.
Saved by grace
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Posted Monday, January 26, 2009 3:43 PM
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concerned friend,
Welcome to our forums.
Having been a hard nut Christian Scientist myself, I can attest they are tough to crack. The only effective evangelistic approach that had any impact on me took many years to bear fruit.
A Baptist minister once discussed Christian Science with me on a plane. Rather than take the traditional generic approach of trying to show me how condemned I was, he demonstrated an in-depth knowledge of Christian Science and the Bible. He and I looked at Bible passages together. He asked me about how I understood those passages. In doing so, he also asked me about the context. Thus, he helped me see beyond the mist of Genesis 2:6.
I would avoid in-depth discussions without some preparation such as reading:
These forums, especially noticing how Christian Scientists and wannabe Christian Scientists respond
Sections on Christian Science and witnessing to cults in Walter Martin's book, Kingdom of the Cults, and associated web site
Linda's book, The Religion That Kills
Of course, focused prayer is highly recommended asking the Holy Spirit to prepare you. Ultimately, success only comes from the Holy Spirit.
Do Go Be Man
<><
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Posted Monday, February 16, 2009 1:47 PM
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Thank you SO MUCH. I am going on a walk with her in a few minutes and first, I will spend some time in prayer!
Concerned Friend
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Posted Monday, February 16, 2009 1:48 PM
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Thank you so much for your suggestions. I will get the books and read them.
Concerned Friend
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Posted Monday, February 16, 2009 1:51 PM
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Concerned Friend,
I am also praying for you both right now.
Do Go Be Man
<><
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Posted Tuesday, February 17, 2009 9:28 PM
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| Part of my exit from CS was because I began to learn how CS had some things in common with other religions that I knew were false. A few to get started: 1) CS has special books/revelation that are unique or extraordinary or given to the special group, just like "Dianetics," "Book of Mormon," "Watchtower" publications, etc. All these replace or supercede or are "necessary" to explain or complete the Biblical revelation. Ask, "Why should I believe Science & Health as opposed to Sun Myung Moon's book, Divine Principle? 2) A powerful, charismatic founder/prophet/Leader of some kind, like Joseph Smith, Srila Prabhupada (Hare Krishnas), David Berg (Children of God), etc. Ask her to consider, "What makes Eddy so right, and these others so wrong? What are her credentials for being the recepient of Revelation, anyway?" 3) Many cults/false religions claim to complete Christianity in some way, or to re-establish the New Testament Church. Eddy said CS was to "restore primitive Christianity and its lost element of healing." Again, what makes her true and Joseph Smith false? They can't both be right--they each claim to be uniquely annointed/appointed in this mission. And what evidence is there, that the real church (and healing) was really lost for 1800 years, anyway? A complicated matter to deal with is that CS'ists hold to multi-level beliefs that are, in a strange way, contradictory. She believes that CS is the one true faith, the purist of all doctrines, and that CS is the pinacle of spiritual achievement. Yet she will also be universalistic, and generously accept that you are right in your beliefs, too (even if they are diametrically opposed to hers!). That is because they hold to a kind of pyramid-like hierarchy of evolved spirituality. You are "right" at your "lower, 'old' theology." But simultaneously, she is "right"--not just for her own spiritual state, but because she has evolved to a higher, absolute spiritual Truth. So she will nod her head and "agree" with you. CSists are loathe to argue and disagree and will feign comonality. This will be frustrating and confusing, especially because you will use the same words (spirit, God, Christ, Jesus, etc.) But she will be speaking duplicitously, employing both a spiritualized meaning to her own personal use, but allowing you to use/understand a "lower,: more common theology. Ask her just what she means by "Christ" for example. That word is NOT synonymous to the name "Jesus." Bring your non-King James Bible along, and use it extensively. Offer to share your daily Bible reading with her, aloud. Make sure it is the basis for truth, and that Eddy does not become a source. Godspeed.
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Posted Wednesday, February 18, 2009 10:05 AM
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I can only add that if you come at this from a perspective that Christian Science is a "false religion", you will only antagonize a Christian Scientist. In fact, if you come at ANY religion calling it false, you will only antagonize its followers.
Remember, the religion is true to them, just as yours is true to you. And Christian Scientists are very committed. Rather than making it your goal to "save" her, just share your own viewpoints, with no goal except to share. If she is ready, she will be interested and follow up. I do agree that CS is more cultlike, and can be damaging in its effects, and I would like to see people leave it. But CS's, like anyone else, will only change their spiritual beliefs when they are ready.
Ann
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Posted Wednesday, February 18, 2009 3:18 PM
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| Bringing up the concept of categorizing CS as "false religion" is a point well taken, Ann. In writing the post, above, I should have clarified that overtly including CS with other false religions is risky, and should be approached with tact and time. But pointing out that CS has things in common with such false religions can be effective in "demonstrating" that CS is not unique, and thus not divinely inspired. Learning how CS shares these things with other religions was, for me, a major understanding and new perspective on CS, and helped disenchant* me. If done with sensitivity and patience, I think it could be effective for others. *I use the word literally.
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