An answer to the often heard question What is Christian Science? might begin with an explanation of what Science is not. It decidedly is not merely a human method of healing without drugs. In fact, it is not a human method at all, although it operates for the benefit of humanity. Christian Science is the compassionate law of God, the living force of His will, which Christ Jesus came to reveal to limited, struggling humanity, blind to the possibilities of manhood. This conscious, intelligent force is both Christian and Science. It rouses people out of the mesmeric, mortal dream of material existence to the reality of deathless life in Spirit.
When this awakening comes, sin, poverty, and disease fade out of thought and we have a Christian Science healing. This explanation shows why the healings brought about by the spiritual means of Science are deeply important to the world. These means place healing on a regenerative basis and prove that health is a state of manhood in true theology that cannot be denied.
Mary Baker Eddy, who discovered and founded Christian Science, explains: "This Science is a law of divine Mind, a persuasive animus, an unerring impetus, an ever-present help. Its presence is felt, for it acts and acts wisely, always unfolding the highway of hope, faith, understanding."The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 3; The student of Christian Science does not start the action of divine law but comes into harmony with that action, in this way yielding to its presence and control.
