The Emergence of Christian Science in American Religious Life

by Stephen Gottschalk

Book Overview

Christian Science is one of only two indigenous American religions, the other being Mormonism. Yet it has not always been examined seriously within the context of the history of religious ideas and... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0520023080
• ISBN13: 9780520023086
• Release Date: January 1974
• Publisher: University of California Press
• Length: 305 Pages
• Weight: 1.65 lbs.

Customer Reviews

refreshingly candid

As a Christian Scientist, I appreciate the scholarly analysis of the social and intellectual climate of the times in which Mary Baker Eddy lived. He has done an excellent job of explaining the problems she faced in the context of the times in which she lived. I found new insights in his book. Such thorough scholarship requires some effort on the part of the reader.

Gottschalk Book Review

If you can find it, get it. This book is by far the most brilliant book on the subject of CS that I've read. It sits on my shelf next to the Peel trilogy.

Highly recommended

It is a shame that this book is no longer in print. Stephen Gottschalk is a Christian Scientist, but unlike the adoring drivel that is most books about CS written by Scientists (and obviously unlike the biting sarcasm that is every other book about CS), this book is intelligent and aimed at those seeking intelligent insight into Christian Science. It is not a rigorous philosophical examination of CS, but Gottshalk has many brilliant and illuminating passages about CS. I don't know of any other scholarly book that brings the religion of Christian Science under rational scrutiny. In most books, the doctrines of CS are either dismissed with a gesture or swallowed without question. This book is the shining exception. Ultimately, Gottschalk wants to leave the reader with a favorable impression of CS (after all, he is a Scientist), but not at the expense scholarly integrity. Even Gillian Gill, in the beginning of her book, mentions this book in a positive light. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in CS, but, alas, there are very few to be found. Good luck.