Rudimental Divine Science

Mary Baker EddyProject Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

3.1

Word count: 24K words
Chapters: 3

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.Rudimental Divine Science by Mary Baker EddyAuthor: Eddy, Mary Baker, 1821-1910,Language: English, Class: BX: Philosophy, Psychology, Religion: Christianity: Churches, Church movements, Release Date: May 1, 2004

Editor's review

This is a short booklet in which Mary Baker Eddy sets out the foundations of her religious thought, a foundational text of Christian Science, distributed free by Project Gutenberg. The word "Rudimental" in the title marks its purpose: not a complete theological system but an introductory outline of key points. The book centers on such core propositions as spirit and matter, faith and healing, in the solemn language of nineteenth-century religious writing, with argument proceeding mainly through statements of principle. For readers studying American religious history, Christian Science, or the relationship between religion and medicine, it is a primary source for understanding the movement's claims; for general readers, it is a sample of how a religious thought presents itself. Read with a historical and comparative eye: first grasp what the author is responding to, then judge whether the argument holds, without rushing to agree or reject. It is short—suitable for reading in one or two sittings while taking notes on key points.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers studying American religious history and new religious movements
General readers who wish to understand the foundational claims of Christian Science
Thinkers interested in religion and healing, spirit and matter
Teachers and students needing primary religious texts for course materials

Not a good fit for

Readers seeking a systematic theology textbook or a complete doctrinal system
Ordinary patients expecting medical advice or alternative therapies
Readers uninterested in religious texts who want only popular reading

Reading tips

Learn the basic background of Christian Science before reading the text, to avoid taking passages out of context.
Excerpt the core propositions paragraph by paragraph, distinguishing the author's statements of principle from her argumentation.
Read alongside foundational texts of other Christian denominations to observe differences in expression.
After reading, write a brief commentary noting which claims are intelligible and which require historical evidence.

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

What is the relationship between this book and Christian Science?

The author, Mary Baker Eddy, founded Christian Science. This book sets out the movement's foundational claims and is a primary text for understanding this religious movement, not a study by an outside scholar.

Can I read this book without knowing theology?

Yes, but it takes some patience. The book relies heavily on statements of principle and lacks stories and examples. It is advisable to first learn the movement's historical background and basic terminology, then read paragraph by paragraph; understanding will be much smoother.

Does the book contain medical advice?

This is a religious thought text discussing ideas such as faith and healing; it offers no diagnosis or treatment advice in the modern medical sense. Readers should not substitute it for professional medical opinion and should consult qualified medical personnel for health problems.

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

It is a very short booklet that can be read in one or two sittings. But the density of concepts is not low; read it twice—first for the general sense, then to excerpt key points and annotate.

Comments

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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.