For many years, I’d incorrectly thought of my practice of Christian Science as a kind of “machine” that I could turn on to crank out healings. I believed that if I read enough about Christian Science or prayed hard enough, my problems would be solved. But as time went on, I became weary of this “machine” approach. Oiled with belief rather than understanding, the machine operated inconsistently. And the wheels were worn from all the pushing and pulling of human reasoning.
Needing to readjust my perspective, I was led to reread an article by Mary Baker Eddy called “Principle and Practice” (Christian Science Sentinel, September 1, 1917). This was a game-changer for me. I learned there is a big difference between a spiritual understanding of Christian Science and believing in the power of your own intellectual understanding of Christian Science. Spiritual understanding comes only from the divine impetus of the Christ, not from belief founded on mere human reasoning.
In “Principle and Practice,” Mrs. Eddy explains that a true practice of Christian Science is not “faith-cure,” but that “Christian Science requires understanding instead of belief; it is based on a fixed eternal and divine Principle, wholly apart from mortal conjecture; and it must be understood. Otherwise it cannot be correctly accepted and demonstrated.”
