At the end of the chapter “Recapitulation” in Science and Health, Mary Baker Eddy laid out six tenets she deemed necessary for committed readers to adopt as their own, if they wished to seriously practice her teachings in their lives (see pages 496–497). They can also be found in the opening pages of the Church Manual (see pp. 15–16). Indeed, applicants wishing to join The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, are required to sign acceptance of the six tenets.
Many students of Christian Science regularly quote the last tenet but how often do they realize the importance of the preceding five criteria? At one time I chaired a meeting with a group of Christian Scientists and concluded the proceedings with a request to recite aloud the second tenet with those who were present. The dearth of voices in response to this request raised a question in my thinking as to how generally known and used were the Tenets. Perhaps reviewing the order of the Tenets, like the unfolding petals of a rose in bloom, may shed some light and inspiration on the other five tenets.
The first tenet states, “As adherents of Truth, we take the inspired Word of the Bible as our sufficient guide to eternal Life.” Mrs. Eddy does not commence with God but highlights the foundation of her inspiration gathered from the Bible and, with that intent, refers in particular to regular study of the Bible. The imbibing of the inspired word of the Holy Bible could have many consequences, but no, rather we are led to the realization that Life is eternal. We are advised that seeking other forms of study is superfluous since the Holy Bible is complete in its education. So often in my experience just a few soothing words from Psalms or insights from Revelation have settled my disturbed thoughts or given direction to see through the seeming reality presented by the physical senses.
