Historical Context of Christian Science

One of the most important things to keep in mind when talking about Mary Baker Eddy is the context in which she founded Christian Science. With this in mind, we at The Ex-Christian Scientist are devoting the Sundays in October to sharing information and additional resources.

The following resources are for people who wish to explore Mary Baker Eddy’s life and Christian Science in a broader context. This is by no means an exhaustive list, merely a starting place for further exploration.


Timelines:
Other Theological Influences of the Day:

Books

Recommended biographies of Mary Baker Eddy:

Additional Reading for further context:

Each Mind a Kingdom

Each Mind a Kingdom: American Women, Sexual Purity, and the New Thought Movement, by Beryl Satter

The New Thought Movement was an enormously popular late nineteenth-century spiritual movement led largely by and for women. Mary Baker Eddy’s Christian Science is but one example of the fascinating range of these groups, which advocated a belief in mind over matter and espoused women’s spiritual ability to purify the world. (via Amazon)


Institutions cataloging Mary Baker Eddy’s Life & the History of Christian Science 
  • The Mary Baker Eddy Library opened in 2002 as a place for people to explore the life, ideas, and achievements of Mary Baker Eddy (1821-1910), a remarkable nineteenth-century New England woman who overcame adversity to write a groundbreaking book on religion, health, and spirituality. She was a woman decades ahead of her time, pioneering such fields as business, education, and publishing.
  • Daystar Foundation & Library – Daystar Foundation and Library was established in 1990 with the purpose to collect, care for, and make available books, papers, and memorabilia relating to the early days of Christian Science, its Discoverer and Founder, Mary Baker Eddy, and those individuals who helped her in the fledgling stages of the Christian Science movement.
  • Longyear Museum – Longyear Museum is an independent historical museum dedicated to advancing the understanding of the life and work of Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer, Founder, and Leader of Christian Science.

Other Resources

2 Comments

  1. Anonymous

    I like the context post today. Any plans to do something with the history of how the official CS organizations (TMC, Committees on Publication) have changed their tune over time, advising parents to consider medical intervention sooner in an illness?

    • Admin K

      I will share your comment with the other admins/site contributors and see what we can come up with! Thanks for the suggestion!

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