One of the great challenges—and blessings—that the original Christianity of the New Testament still presents to human thinking is in the continuing demand to move beyond mere religiosity in our worship of God. Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, the textbook of Christian Science, contains a section specifically on theology See Science and Health, pp. 131-142 . in which its author, Mary Baker Eddy, points to the ongoing, powerful leavening influence of Christ, Truth, on the religious thought of mankind.
In place of religiosity, the pure Science of Christ requires spirituality, which is quite a different thing. Spirituality is a living thing. It permeates every aspect of our lives; it changes us, transforms us, makes us a new creature, ushers us into the kingdom of heaven.
With spirituality working in us, whatever is superficial is shown for what it is. And our experience takes on a much more profound dimension—a "deep-toned faith in God," as Mrs. Eddy called it. Speaking of the effects of true spirituality, or the baptism of Spirit, on individual lives, Mrs. Eddy wrote: "The baptism of the Holy Ghost is the spirit of Truth cleansing from all sin; giving mortals new motives, new purposes, new affections, all pointing upward. This mental condition settles into strength, freedom, deep-toned faith in God ...." Miscellaneous Writings, p. 204.
