Christian Science teaches that man and the universe are not material but spiritual. It is within the power of each individual to prove this to be true step by step, with good effects of health and harmony in his present experience.
Some people reject what they believe Christian Science to be as they try to reconcile it with firmly held beliefs about the substantiality and reality of matter. Others become confused by apparent duality: the material self that appears so real and the seemingly elusive spiritual self that they would like to understand as constituting their only identity. Spiritualizing consciousness is not an intellectual exercise; however, it often involves a logical process, and as such it must begin with the correct premise in order to reach correct conclusions. Mary Baker Eddy states the premise clearly in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures: "The Christlike understanding of scientific being and divine healing includes a perfect Principle and idea,—perfect God and perfect man,—as the basis of thought and demonstration."Science and Health, p. 259;
The power of reasoning is inherent in human consciousness, and Mrs. Eddy used this reasoning power masterfully; she was successful in coming to right conclusions because she began correctly.
