The use of the words Christian and Science by the author of Science and Health, Rev. Mary B. G. Eddy, has been the cause of much unfavorable comment by non-Scientists, and of many and repeated attacks from the pulpit. The notion, born of the monastery and middle-age ecclesiasticism, that there is an irreconcilable conflict between science and religion, has not yet been fully eliminated from theological thought.
The word Science, if used in any sense tending to connect it with religion, is yet a kind of red flag to many sincere people. As the result of erroneous teaching, there is to their apprehension, no science in religion, and no religion in science no fellowship between Christianity and science. For this reason, in part, at least, many onslaughts have been made upon Christian Science by persons knowing nothing whatever of it,—its claims, aims, purposes, and underlying Principle. Is there any good reason for this? Should not Christianity be Scientific, and should not Science be Christian?
Let us briefly examine the meaning of the words Christian and Science. The word Christian is usually employed to designate that era in the world's history which began with the birth of Jesus Christ. In a broader sense, it is used to designate that which pertains to the life, teachings, and religion of the Saviour. In its common acceptation, it does not ante-date the birth of Jesus.
