The Bible is the foundation for the theology and practice of Christian Science. Jesus’ ministry especially shows how we can experience healing and regeneration as we learn that our true identity is completely spiritual. The first chapter of Genesis states clearly that we are made in the image and likeness of God. The lives of Abraham, Jacob, Moses, and the prophets, as well as those of Jesus and his followers, are rich examples of God’s power to reform and heal.

For Mary Baker Eddy, Christian Science flowed out of an inspired understanding of the Bible. Through prayer and biblical study, she learned about the divine laws behind spiritual healing. These laws of God are powerful, always in operation to heal, redeem, and bless humanity. The title of her primary work, Science and Health, includes the phrase “Key to the Scriptures.” This indicates its inseparable connection with the Bible. When describing her discovery of Christian Science, she wrote, “The Bible has been my only authority,” and, “The Bible contains the recipe for all healing” (Science and Health, pp. 126, 406). Of the six brief tenets of Christian Science, the first is: “As adherents of Truth, we take the inspired Word of the Bible as our sufficient guide to eternal Life” (Science and Health, p. 497).

A weekly Bible Lesson offers individual study and is the heart of the Sunday worship services. Sunday School for students up to the age of 20 is based on the Ten Commandments, the Lord’s Prayer, and the Sermon on the Mount. And readings from the Bible are also featured in midweek testimony meetings, where attendants can share ways they’ve applied the spiritual lessons of the Scriptures to real-life challenges — big and small.

The Mary Baker Eddy Library maintains a collection of rare and historic Bibles. This Historic Bible Collection began with a donation of rare English-language bibles and has grown to include many editions of notable importance in the history of mankind.

Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of Christian Science, was asked if Christian Scientists had a religious creed. She answered, “They have not, if by that term is meant doctrinal beliefs” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, pp. 496–497). She did provide a few tenets—or key points—that briefly summarize the teachings of Christian Science. They are rooted in the Bible.

Tenets of Christian Science

1. As adherents of Truth, we take the inspired Word of the Bible as our sufficient guide to eternal Life.

2. We acknowledge and adore one supreme and infinite God. We acknowledge His Son, one Christ; the Holy Ghost or divine Comforter; and man in God’s image and likeness.

3. We acknowledge God’s forgiveness of sin in the destruction of sin and the spiritual understanding that casts out evil as unreal. But the belief in sin is punished so long as the belief lasts.

4. We acknowledge Jesus’ atonement as the evidence of divine, efficacious Love, unfolding man’s unity with God through Christ Jesus the Way-shower; and we acknowledge that man is saved through Christ, through Truth, Life, and Love as demonstrated by the Galilean Prophet in healing the sick and overcoming sin and death.

5. We acknowledge that the crucifixion of Jesus and his resurrection served to uplift faith to understand eternal Life, even the allness of Soul, Spirit, and the nothingness of matter.

6. And we solemnly promise to watch, and pray for that Mind to be in us which was also in Christ Jesus; to do unto others as we would have them do unto us; and to be merciful, just, and pure. ()