In answer to the question "How would you define Christian Science?" Mrs. Eddy writes, "As the law of God, the law of good, interpreting and demonstrating the divine Principle and rule of universal harmony."Rudimental Divine Science, p.1. In the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health, Mrs. Eddy also explains, "Animal magnetism is the voluntary or involuntary action of error in all its forms; it is the human antipode of divine Science."Science and Health, p. 484. And because it is evil's falsehood about God's law, animal magnetism is not something real to be feared but an illusion to be rejected as having neither place nor power under God's harmonious government.
The omniaction of God, good, prohibits the supposed counteraction of evil, animal magnetism. In its denunciation of animal magnetism as an illusion, the Science of Christ enables us to see the powerlessness of evil. Christ, Truth, overcomes whatever would oppose its healing and teaching ministry— whatever would thwart the redemptive influence that is typified by the Church of Christ, Scientist.
The Master, Christ Jesus, understandingly and thoroughly applied divine law, vanquishing all threats and overcoming all opposition. He is our Exemplar. Decisive victory over evil is possible to us because God, infinite Mind, is actually unopposed. God is perfect Soul, Spirit, Life, Love, Truth, Principle. From this premise it follows that man as God's reflection, His spiritual likeness—our true identity—is invariably whole, complete, and exempt from evil's claims.
