No and Yes

Mary Baker EddyProject Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

2.7

Word count: 68K words
Chapters: 7

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.No and Yes by Mary Baker EddyAuthor: Eddy, Mary Baker, 1821-1910,Language: English, Class: BX: Philosophy, Psychology, Religion: Christianity: Churches, Church movements, Release Date: Aug 30, 2005

Editor's review

No and Yes is a short religious-philosophical treatise by Mary Baker Eddy belonging to Christian Science literature. It discusses the relation between negation and affirmation, error and truth, in matters of faith and healing. Its value lies in presenting the author's central claim in brief argumentative form: the denial of error and the affirmation of truth are two sides of one whole, and on this basis she responds to some contemporary objections to Christian Science. The text is short, but its terminology is abstract and its argumentation leaps, with a pronounced hortatory religious tone; readers need some familiarity with the basic positions of Christian Science to follow the line of thought. It is better suited as supplementary material for the history of religious thought and nineteenth-century American religious movements than as an introductory text. When reading, first learn about Eddy and the background of Christian Science, then work through its "negation-affirmation" argument section by section, noting how it defines disease, sin, and faith.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers of religious history studying Christian Science and Eddy's thought
Those interested in nineteenth-century American religious currents and faith healing
Students needing a short primary text as supplementary reading for a religious philosophy course
Speculative readers interested in the "negation and affirmation" style of argument

Not a good fit for

Readers seeking a systematic theology textbook or a complete doctrinal introduction
General readers expecting narrative or story-driven religious reading
Those with little interest in abstract argument and religious terminology, who are easily bored

Reading tips

Begin with a brief introduction to Christian Science and Eddy's life to establish context before entering the text.
Work through the chapters and outline how the author distinguishes "denying error" from "affirming truth," making brief notes.
Mark abstract terms as you go and revisit them after finishing a section, rather than getting stuck on a single sentence.
Read alongside Eddy's other short treatises to observe the consistency of her argumentative method and central claims.

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

Is this book suitable for beginners in religion?

Not very. It assumes some knowledge of the basic claims of Christian Science and Eddy's intellectual background, and its argument is abstract and terminology-heavy. Complete beginners may struggle; it is advisable to read introductory material first and then return to the original text.

What does the title "No and Yes" refer to?

The title points to the argumentative structure recurring throughout the book: the denial of error and the affirmation of truth. Through this the author discusses faith, disease, and healing, arguing that the two support each other rather than being a simple saying "no" or "yes." The specific meaning needs to be understood in light of the individual sections of the text.

Is it long? How long does it take to finish?

It is a short treatise of modest length, but because the argument is abstract, a quick read-through may not capture the main points. Reading it in two or three sittings, taking brief notes on several sections each time, is more effective than forcing through it all at once.

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About the author

Mary Baker Eddy Author · American · 1821–1910

Mary Baker Eddy (1821–1910) was an American religious leader and the discoverer and founder of Christian Science. In 1875 she published Science and Health, with Key to the Scriptures, which set out her religious and health-related ideas. She founded the First Church of Christ, Scientist, in 1879 and launched The Christian Science Monitor in 1908. Her other works include the Manual of the Mother Church, Rudimental Divine Science, Retrospection and Introspection, and Miscellaneous Writings, 1883–1896. Twelve of her works are held in this collection, mostly under inspirational growth. Her writing focuses on religious teaching and the practice of faith, is clearly organized, and stresses the connection between inner conviction and daily life; it has influenced American religious thought and publishing culture.