subject: Mary Baker Eddy's "Science and Health" is no Longer Weird or Aloof [print this page] One hundred years ago, Mary Baker Eddy died, leaving an astonishing legacy to the world. A few people cherish the religious organization and church buildings Eddy left behind; however, one of Eddy's books is regarded as the most valuable heirloom given to humanity, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.
Weather and exposure tarnish gold, silver, and marble. Similarly, human language, time, and misinterpretation tarnish the written word. Therefore, the 19th century church buildings are restored and Science and Health is revised.
The revision I produced, 21st Century Science and Health, required years of preparation, prayer, and research. Thankfully, Eddy revised Science and Health over 300 times during her lifetime so there was a definite pattern to follow. And, I can honestly say, this work was motivated by immense appreciation for Eddy's explanation of divine Science. I did not revise Eddy's book out of desperation; I did not do it to prove a point; and I did not do it because I thought I could do a better job than someone else. The work was done vigilantly, delicately, meticulously, conscientiously, prudently, firmlythrough sweat and tears.
Eddy's Science and Health was carefully excavated. I gently removed decaying language, clichs formed by institutionalized religion, misconceptions found in society, and outdated social references. Readers of 21st Century Science and Health can now relate to examples and illustrations apropos to today's globalization and technological discoveries. Science and Health is no longer aloof or weird.
The requisite revisions were made in order to present Eddy's ideas intact and correct to this present time. A case in point is the paragraph discussing "Novel Diseases." Eddy listed new diseases of the 19th century while I listed new diseases of today. I also updated terminology such as: animal magnetism, phrenology, humors, brainology, and consumption. Science and Health is now gender-inclusive. Also, Biblical quotes come from the diverse English Bible versions available to people at the many bookstores around the world. Christian Science is no longer trapped in history or culture.
Eddy's Science and Health gleams again with the facts that: divine Science is timeless; the ability to heal spiritually is accessible to people of all backgrounds, ethnicities, and faiths; a divine perspective of truth can't be hidden; other cultures and people have discovered these spiritual principles in their own way; there is no mystery to understanding and practicing scientific mental healing; and, the elements of human ideologies never harmed Mind-science.
Immense work is yet needed to advance divine Science and its interpretation of health, harmony, and holiness. I continue to buck the lure of remaining in a human comfort-zone and consequently have successfully finished the 3rd edition of 21st Century Science and Health which can be read side-by-side with Eddy's version. The 3rd edition can be purchased from www.Trafford.com in paperback, or as a Kindle eBook from www.Amazon.com
Mary Baker Eddy's "Science and Health" is no Longer Weird or Aloof
