The Destiny Of An American Church And The Woman Who Founded It

The two witnesses, church building, apostasy, betrayal, heresy, and schisms

Vol. 1

INTRODUCTION & OVERVIEW

Women throughout history have often been marginalized, treated as second class citizens, disposable and even expendable with few exceptions of Monarchies and Aristocracies. In the modern age and more recently here in the early 21st Century - (if you’ve been following social and societal trends) - it appears to have become the rule rather than the exception.

Founder of the Christian Science Church, Mary Baker Eddy, has been the subject of contention both in and out of religious circles for over 140 years and even within the Christian Science Church itself. During her life she faced monumental battles with health, marriage, and finances long before she ever wrote her book or established a church, so it’s premature to speak about the destiny of Mary Baker Eddy’s Church without first understanding it’s legacy, and hers.

Mary Baker Eddy established all of the Christian Science Church’s publications and religious periodicals such as; The Christian Science Monitor, The Christian Science Sentinel, The Christian Science Journal and a plethora of other published and unpublished writings.

Her most profound work besides over 4000 documented cases of healings and church building was her book “Science and Health with Key To The Scriptures” - of which there were 226 editions. She established The Massachusetts Metaphysical College -

Image from marybakereddylibrary.org

the first and only of it’s kind chartered in Boston in 1881, her church - The First Church of Christ Scientist in Boston Massachusetts which was originally Founded and Chartered in 1879 before it was disbanded and reorganized ten years later in 1889. The cornerstone for the first official church edifice was laid in 1894

Image from longyear.org Museum

Rebuilding the Church was for a host of logistical reasons in addition to many of its members attempting to undermine and usurp total control over her, her church and it’s operations.

A complete re-think of how the church should be structured which included the elimination of pastoral preaching by ordained clergy. This decision was multi-fold but primarily had to do with establishing a very distinct theological “divorce” from the intellectual, parochial, epistemological and hierarchical aspects in the “old” church that she intimates, stagnated and obfuscated the divine message.

She expressed a particular concern about the tendency among clergymen to engage in personal preaching—a practice she viewed as potentially overshadowing the universality of divine truth with individual interpretation and ego-driven narratives. At this juncture Mrs. Eddy designated her book “Science and Health with Key to the scriptures” and the Holy Bible as the church’s “dual and impersonal pastor”. In this she was making a clear departure from personal preaching and messaging. These and other theological, administrative and fundamental rules and By-Laws of the Church activities were methodically revised in the Manual Of The Mother Church also authored by Mrs. Eddy.

While she eliminated much of the traditional components of the Church institution the order of Church services themselves had remained very traditional - modeled after New England Congregational services.

Several biographies including but not limited to Bliss Knapps “Destiny Of The Mother Church” (the subject of this article), outline and corroborate the inner most workings of her church, thoughts and discourses that took place between her and her closest colleagues and were meticulously documented.

While many biographies have been written about Mrs. Eddy it would appear that efforts to include Knapps book as part of the anthology on Mrs. Eddy’s life to have been deliberately and systematically marginalized or summarily omitted from the record.

This article will attempt to bring a broader and more informed perspective while also focusing on some more intimate details that have either mistakenly or deliberately been overlooked in the “Announcement” section tucked away towards the back of the October 2023 issue of the Christian Science Journal Written by the Christian Science Board of Directors in Boston Massachusetts.

Mary Baker Eddy had initially thought her new expositions of scripture- encapsulated in her Premier work “Science and Health with Key To The Scriptures” would be embraced by the clergy and preached from pulpits with the Holy Bible nationwide and even worldwide when in fact quite the opposite occurred. Not only was it rejected, it was met with ferocious hostility by proponents of the status quo or “old guard” church’s. As such and with some reluctance she began the work of building what today is the Christian Science Church.

Church building and establishing an organized religious movement Mrs. Eddy had to contend with dissension within her inner circles, law suits, divorce, familial battles securing permanent residencies, delays in colossal building projects, as well as securing the publication and copyright of her book with the press. But ultimately her greatest challenges lay with the existential presuppositions and nuances of core Christian theology ranging from; epistemological teachings from the 4th century, the nature of God, the doctrine of the trinity, anthropomorphism, medicine, withcraft and ultimately the problem of sin.

So, Who Was Bliss Knapp, What of His Book “Destiny Of The Mother Church” and Why Does He Matter ?

Bliss Knapp Born June 7, 1877 - Died March 14 1958

Bliss Knapp son of Ira O. Knapp and Flavia S. Knapp knew Mrs. Eddy from boyhood personally and infrequently received tutelage from her. Both of his parents were Christian Science students taught by Mrs. Eddy and his father Ira was one of the first to be appointed to the Christian Science Board of directors.

In early adulthood Bliss Knapp continued his education at Harvard College where he studied architecture before entering the Christian Science healing practice in 1902.

Extraordinary Career of Bliss Knapp CSB
1. Practitioner
2. Teacher, Age 30
3. Lecturer, Age 27 for 21 years
4. Bible Lesson committee, Mother Church
5. President, Mother Church, Age 35
6. Treasurer, Mother Church
7. First reader, Mother Church
8. Author Periodicals
9. Author, The Destiny of The Mother Church
10. Annual Meeting Speaker 
11. $250,000,000 donor to Mother Church, 1958
   $2,630,856,401 adjusted for inflation, 2023

Both Bliss Knapp’s father and mother were among Mrs. Eddy’s loyalist of students and the closest of friends. Mr. Knapp himself recalls in detail in an unpublished audio recording he made many years later - in the 1950’s - of some rather poignant spiritual life lessons which would be antecedents moreover, premonitions to Mr. Knapp’s role in the Christian Science Church and his providential relationship to Mary Baker Eddy.

Mrs. Eddy was known to rebuke her students when she deemed it necessary, yet there is no record of her ever doing so with Bliss Knapp—a detail that, if it had occurred, would almost certainly have surfaced during his prominent tenure in the church. This absence of censure underscores Knapp's significant contributions not only to the Church but to the broader world, as he eloquently illustrated the striking parallels between the cadence of Jesus’ ministry and the establishment of Mary Baker Eddy’s church. His work also casts a prophetic light on the rise and fall of earnest Christian Science students and the gradual, almost imperceptible erosion of the church’s mission and purpose over time.

It appears that the Church Mary Baker Eddy spent nearly half a century establishing has steadily distanced itself not only from her closest and most dedicated students but also from those who openly identified her as the Apocalyptic Woman described in Revelation 12—a position the current Executive Board continues to repudiate.

While the reasons behind this shift remain unclear, the actions of the Board suggest, at least superficially, an effort to 'find favor with men.' However, this departure seems rooted in something deeper than a mere attempt to placate status quo Christianity—a faction that has long dismissed Christian Science as heretical to Biblical teachings and mainstream Christianity, with some even labeling it, pejoratively, as a 'cult.

In their message, the Christian Science Board of Directors appears to have cited several quotations from Mrs. Eddy, seemingly aimed at addressing concerns over 'idolization.' They further assert that Bliss Knapp’s perspective reflected an inappropriate adulation of Mrs. Eddy, claiming that those who recognized Biblical references to her human persona were, in effect, 'deifying' her.

However, this reasoning raises significant questions. No Christian hesitates to affirm that certain Biblical passages, such as Isaiah 53, unequivocally refer to Jesus—his coming, his life, and his mission. This acknowledgment does not 'deify' Jesus beyond the theological truths central to Christianity. Similarly, most Christian Scientists I have encountered do not deify Jesus, so why would they deify Mary Baker Eddy? This reveals what seems to be a lack of spiritual maturity on the part of the Church’s Board of Directors.

The Boards apparent reluctance to confront the deeper implications of Mrs. Eddy's identity as evidenced by their what can only be desrcibed as a “rebuke” in the October 2023 Christian Science Journal (Vol. 141, Issue 10), have conflated outward acknowledgment of Mrs. Eddy’s prophetic role with mischaracterizations of both her writings and those who perceived her significance—especially in the context of Isaiah 54. In doing so, they seem to misinterpret not only Mrs. Eddy’s own statements but also the perspectives of those who recognize her unique place in the broader Biblical narrative.

Few in Christian circles ever question the authenticity of Jesus’ self-awareness and his declarations of who he was—a point that is rarely debated or challenged among Christians. In stark contrast, the Christian Science Church, under its current Board of Directors, seems to have aligned itself with the sentiments of some of Mrs. Eddy’s most problematic students and critics—not only from her own time but also from those who never even knew her personally.

By so doing, the Board appears to be effectively sidelined Mrs. Eddy and the integrity of her life’s work, seemingly to appease a worldview hostile to those who express reverence toward influential figures. This effort to distance the Church from Mrs. Eddy’s legacy—apparently to avoid scrutiny from other religious factions—resembles nothing less than a calculated capitulation to external pressures at the expense of foundational principles.

War On Womanhood - The Dragon & Signs Of The Times

From the mid-19th century to its close, America witnessed remarkable strides in advancing gender equality. Women transitioned from near-total dependence on men to becoming property and business owners, published authors, and even inventors. Breaking free from the confines of their traditional roles as child-rearing domestic caretakers, women began redefining their societal contributions.

While the women’s suffrage movement sought to secure legal equality, Mrs. Eddy forged an unparalleled path, accomplishing what no woman before or since has achieved. Her work and legacy reveal that she was not merely focused on societal advancement but preoccupied with addressing the fundamental problems of sin and death, following in the footsteps of Jesus’ ministry. To her, this was the true mission and essence of Christianity.

During her time, Mrs. Eddy was hailed as one of the most influential figures of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, celebrated as a woman who moved mountains, particularly within the realm of Christian theism. She was even was featured in a special edition of "The Book of the Presidents" presented to her in 1905. This edition included a photograph and biography of Mrs. Eddy, highlighting her as a significant religious leader of the era. She expressed appreciation for the volume, describing it as "an apology for the past, a power in the present, a promise for the future”. Of the one thousand copies printed in 1902, only a small number were completed and sold, and Eddy's copy is believed to be the only one featuring her photograph and biography.

Yet today, her name is scarcely mentioned outside her church, reduced to little more than a historical footnote. Despite this fading recognition, one could argue that her life stands as one of the greatest examples of a woman rising to unparalleled heights. Her mission not only set a new standard for women of her era but also laid the groundwork for their empowerment in the century that followed.

The deliberate effort to undermine, reverse, and even dismantle the concept of womanhood has emerged as a recurring theme, particularly over the past 130 years. This period is historically significant, coinciding with the establishment of Mrs. Eddy’s Church, officially chartered, built, and rooted in its mission during this transformative era.

In 2022, public figure Matt Walsh released a 90-minute documentary, What Is A Woman?, produced by The Daily Wire. The documentary’s central question, 'What is a woman?' is contextualized within an even deeper inquiry: What is truth?—a question famously posed by Pilate to Jesus before his execution.

The film delves into the biological, anatomical, and physiological distinctions between the sexes, as Walsh poses his question to a broad cross-section of professionals in education, psychology, medicine, and cultural studies. The responses reveal a troubling pattern: many of these individuals appear driven by an agenda that seeks to upend conventional understanding of sex and gender, often targeting preteens and toddlers.

It’s no exaggeration to say that Western culture, traditions, and customs—alongside foundational disciplines like mathematics and the sciences—are under a sustained and direct assault. The cultural shift documented in Walsh’s work highlights the growing contention over these critical issues, reflecting deeper societal transformations with far-reaching implications.

In March 2022, during Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson’s confirmation hearing, Senator Marsha Blackburn asked a straightforward question: “Can you provide a definition for the word ‘woman’?” Jackson’s response—'Can I provide a definition? No, I can’t'—was striking, even chilling. More recently Brown Jackson appearing in a Broadway play “And Juliet” boldly exclaiming “FEMALE EMPOWERMENT” juxtaposed against her refusal to define such a fundamental concept reflects a broader trend among proponents of this new agenda to blur the lines of womanhood. Similar queries are often met with indifference, vacuous ambiguity, or outright hostility.

In March 18, 2024, when Darien, Connecticut resident Kim Jones testified before a state legislative session regarding Senate Joint Resolution No. 4—an anti-discrimination bill seeking to expand protections based on sex and gender identity. Addressing (D) Senator Matt Blumenthal of Stamford, Jones argued: “As soon as you say you have to be able to recognize someone’s gender identity at the same value as sex, what you are saying is… a male’s sense of self (can) supersede or be equated to the rights of a woman.” Her testimony underscored the inherent conflict between recognizing subjective identities and preserving the rights of biological women.

Over the past decade, efforts to undermine conventional definitions in the English language have accelerated. A growing number of academics appear intent on dismantling the linguistic foundations of words central to societal and spiritual frameworks. Notably, English—the language through which the Bible was first widely translated—has long served as a vehicle for delivering God’s word to the masses. The implications of destabilizing this linguistic heritage are profound.

The Book of Revelation offers a compelling perspective on this issue, depicting evil waging war against a specific woman—a woman crowned with authority. In scripture, there are only two holy figures who wear crowns: Jesus … and the Apocalyptic Woman.

Who Is The Apocalyptic Woman In Revelation Chapter 12 ?

This largely depends on which religious circles you find yourself in. Many Catholics believe her to be the Virgin Mary while other sects of Christendom describe her as representing the “Church” in a more broad and general sense - but which church is never specified.

Jesus final dissertation or “Revelation” to the disciple John after he was banished to the isle of Patmos is arguably Jesus premiere “ultima doctrina” in concluding the summum bonum of the human condition or experience in a very allegorically pictorial manner. Many at least agree that this portion of the Bible is speaking directly to the current epoch in which we are living.

In a general sense it seems superfluous, even redundant, for Jesus to speak about his past or recapitulate historical components of his life and if the book of Revelation is intended to be a prophetic book of future human events, as many agree that it is, then conflating the Apocalyptic Woman with Jesus mother becomes entirely problematic.

If one looks at the coincidence of the events surrounding both Jesus’s life and Mrs. Eddy’s, it should become even allegorically obvious and congruent to anyone who recognizes the divinely symmetrical parallel to each figure. If Mary Baker Eddy is just another woman or even lets say, person, who matter-of-factly was able to opine on some of the more profoundly confusing elements in scripture - we might as well say that anyone could have made these observations and wrote a book about it. In fact Mrs. Eddy faced accusations of plagiarizing the ideas of Phineas Quimby a mesmerist and clock maker from more than 25 years after the publication of her seminal work, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures. A thorough examination of the claims revealed no evidence of plagiarism, and the matter was ultimately resolved in her favor. The accusations, rooted more in misunderstanding and opposition than substantive proof, highlighted the distinct originality of Eddy’s work, which diverged significantly in both philosophy and theology from Quimby’s teachings.

We have always made attributions to persons and their profound discoveries which makes them unambiguous and identifiable. We should always make direct attributions to any scientific or significant discoveries and those who were able to expound on them.

The Biblical reference to the apocalyptic woman and the dragon who exacts war on her - and the remnant of her seed - (Revelation 12:17) - attempting to deprive her not only of her place in the human realm but her divinely appointed prophetic place in history. We say “prophecy” because most Christians certainly believe the entire Book of Revelation is expounding on the advent for things to come concerning future events for humanity.

Depending on what sect of Christendom you subscribe to generally determines what one’s views of the Apocalyptic Woman are.

Christian Scientists do not seek to “convert” anyone in the conventional sense but rather live the life Jesus intended for Christians - as outlined in the Sermon On The Mount (Matt Chapters 5-7) and to demonstrate Christianity as opposed to merely professing it.

One might conclude that through the writings of Mary Baker Eddy a Christian Scientist views the doctrine of Christianity through the prism of the Ten Commandments and Sermon on the Mount from what might be described in a divinely ontological sense. Awakening out of the dream of mortality, “putting off the old man” after the manner laid out in Ephesians 4:22 is a theme prolific throughout the writings of Mary Baker Eddy - a theme which a Christian Scientist endeavors to demonstrate, not merely pontificate. Waking up from the “Adam Dream”. “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” Ist Cor. 15:22.

What Jesus was to Judaism, a Christian Scientist might argue Mary Baker Eddy is to Christendom. Just as Jesus advanced the religious teachings of the Old Testament, offering a transformative way to relate to Deity on a deeply personal and private level, Mrs. Eddy similarly redefined the relationship between humanity and God. Through Jesus, God was no longer perceived as a tribal or pagan deity but as an ever-present, loving Father. Mrs. Eddy’s teachings sought to continue this trajectory, emphasizing spiritual truths and a deeper understanding of God’s omnipotence.

It is striking, perhaps not coincidental, that both Jesus and Mrs. Eddy faced rejection from large swaths of their contemporaries, particularly within their own religious circles. The Jews’ repudiation of Jesus and his doctrine parallels Christendom’s dismissal of Mrs. Eddy’s teachings and Biblical interpretations. Both were marginalized—Jesus, branded as having allegiance to Beelzebub a.k.a. “The Devil” and dismissed as a drunkard; Mrs. Eddy, relegated to labels such as 'heretic,' 'fanatical cult leader,' 'witch,' or even 'Jezebel.'

These parallels underscore a broader resistance to transformative spiritual ideas, particularly when they challenge entrenched religious norms. Both figures endured profound opposition, not only from outside forces but from the very institutions they sought to elevate.

Bliss Knapp’s book goes to great lengths in a very methodical way to make the case citing the spiritual coincidences between the human component of Mrs. Eddy’s life and her teachings and all of the unresolved spiritual problems that remained to be reconciled after Jesus’s crucifixion and resurrection. Because has he himself stated that unless he went to the Father the “Comforter” (transliterated: defense attorney) would not come.

Complimenting Christ’s Teachings, Not Replacing Them

A sincere student of Christian Science no more deifies Mary Baker Eddy any more than he does Christ Jesus, which is to say - deification of ANY human being is not in accord with scriptural teachings and violates the Mosaic Commandments specifically 1, 2 & 9.

First Commandment:

• 1.) Exodus 20:3: "Thou shalt have no other gods before me."

• 2.) Exodus 20:4-6: “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them:..”

• 9.) Exodus 20:16: "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor."

Christian Scientists do not “pray” to Mary Baker Eddy, nor do they pray to the virgin Mary, nor do they pray to Jesus. Praying to people or “persons” is contrary to Jesus’s teachings and again violates several of God’s commands. Praying to a person is what pagans do and Christian Scientists are most certainly not pagan.

Seeing things in a prophetic light sometimes will bring the tendency (by others) to equivocate, moreover, pervert it into a form of idolatry. The human mind is inclined towards outward forms of worship, things it can grapple with from the 5 senses - which Jesus admonished against in Matthew Chapt 13. Paul compliments this statement in part of his letters to the Corinthians - “we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen” 2nd Corinthians 4:18.

Mary Baker Eddy’s seminal work, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, delves deeply into the ontological dimensions that permeate Christ’s teachings. For all intents and purposes, this book stands as the definitive statement of Christian Science. It serves as an amplification of the Sermon on the Mount, addressing the minutiae and intricacies of the human condition, the pervasive evil influences that seek to undermine God’s goodness, and the elevation of human thought to spiritual heights, beyond the grasp of the mortal, corporeal senses.

Mrs. Eddy’s work offers a profound exploration of the spiritual spectrum of God and His creation—insights rarely broached within conventional Christian theology. The book examines the human experience with a breadth unmatched by many of its contemporaries, covering topics such as prayer, marriage, the dangers of hypnotism and mental manipulation, and the shortcomings of 'modern medicine' as taught in traditional schools. Yet throughout, Mrs. Eddy’s writings consistently direct the reader back to the Bible, illuminating its hidden truths and lifting the veil on its deeper meanings. Her approach brings a fresh and transformative perspective to scripture, reanimating its relevance for seekers of truth.

One chapter, Atonement and Eucharist, is dedicated entirely to Christ Jesus, further underscoring the book’s commitment to elucidating his unparalleled role in Christianity. For some, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures is believed to be the 'little book' referenced in Revelation 10:2—a text described as 'open for all to read and understand.' Regardless of interpretation, the book remains a groundbreaking work, challenging its readers to rethink and elevate their understanding of God, humanity, and the divine principles underlying existence.

Schisms, Controversy Then & Now

The doctrine of the Trinity—three persons in one (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit)—continues to provoke debate among theologians and scholars. Few recognize, however, that this concept did not originate with early Christian teachings but emerged later as a pragmatic effort to unify religious thought and facilitate the conversion of pagans to Christianity. Figures like Quintus Septimus Florens Tertullian, often credited as the father of Western theology, played a pivotal role in shaping this doctrine. Tertullian, drawing on the ideas of Callistus (Praxeas), provided the framework that would later be formalized at the Council of Nicaea in 325 CE under Emperor Constantine—a lifelong pagan until his deathbed conversion.

Constantine’s political motivations were transparent: consolidating power by using Christianity as a unifying force within his empire. The Trinity conveniently bridged the gap between polytheistic traditions and monotheism, appealing to human tendencies toward anthropomorphism and materialistic interpretations of the divine. This approach, however, represented a significant departure from the original Biblical intent, which sought to draw humanity away from its fleshly inclinations and align it with the "image and likeness" of God, as outlined in Genesis 1:26-27.

This history is echoed in the ongoing controversies surrounding the Christian Science Church, particularly its handling of the “Destiny..” book by Bliss Knapp. The book, which explores the prophetic role of Mary Baker Eddy, has long been a source of internal division. When the church initially refused to publish the book in the late 1940s, it faced no immediate repercussions. However, the stakes were raised after Bella Mabury and Eloise Mabury Knapp—relatives of Bliss Knapp—tied their substantial estates, worth approximately $100 million at the time, to the book’s publication as "authorized literature."

In 1991, under increasing financial strain due to failed expansion projects like its broadcasting operations, the church reversed its decades-long refusal and published the book, a move many saw as motivated by financial expediency rather than theological conviction. The church later republished the book with revisions, explicitly labeling it "authorized literature," to address criticisms from Stanford University and Museum Associates, the contingent beneficiaries of the Mabury and Knapp estates. This change, while ostensibly pragmatic, exposed deep fractures within the church and its membership.

The optics of these decisions by the current Board of Directors at the Mother Church paint a troubling picture of inconsistency and hypocrisy. On the one hand, the church appears to acknowledge Mary Baker Eddy’s unique role in prophecy through its reluctant embrace of the Knapp book. On the other, it has distanced itself from openly affirming her place in Christian eschatology, perhaps to avoid alienating mainstream Christian denominations or inviting further controversy.

This calculated backpedaling sends a mixed message: one that prioritizes financial gain over theological integrity and undermines the spiritual authority of the church’s founder. The decision to publish Destiny of the Mother Church—despite decades of resistance—was ostensibly to secure the bequests, but it also raises questions about the board’s willingness to compromise foundational beliefs for pragmatic purposes.

Critics have noted the irony of a church that prides itself on spiritual principles succumbing to materialistic motivations, much like the anthropomorphic tendencies it critiques in traditional Christianity. The Knapp controversy highlights the tension between the church’s stated mission and its actions, further alienating members who see this as a betrayal of Mary Baker Eddy’s vision.

Ultimately, the church’s inconsistency reflects broader issues in its governance, suggesting a lack of clear direction or commitment to the ideals that originally defined Christian Science. In seeking to appease multiple factions—internal objectors, external critics, and financial pressures—it risks eroding the very principles that gave it purpose and identity. This erosion, like the compromises that birthed the doctrine of the Trinity, serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of subordinating spiritual integrity to institutional survival.

In a recent conversation with a lawyer turned Christian Science practitioner and currently on the Christian Science Board of Lectureship Alexandre Fischer stated to a church member that to believe that Mary Baker Eddy was the Apocalyptic Woman in Revelation was “extremely dangerous” (his exact words). These are sentiments that echo the aforementioned content published in the Christian Science Journal by the Christian Science Board of Directors.

While Christian Science could by conventional metrics be considered “extreme” Neither the Church nor it’s members are told to engage in the following practices that Cults typically do i.e. :

1. Absolute authoritarianism without accountability

2. Zero tolerance for criticism or questions

3. Lack of meaningful financial disclosure regarding budget

4. Unreasonable fears about the outside world that often involve evil conspiracies and persecutions.

5. A belief that former followers are always wrong for leaving and there is never a legitimate reason for anyone else to leave

6. Abuse of members

7. Records, books, articles, or programs documenting the abuses of the leader or group.

8. Followers feeling they are never able to be “good enough”. (this could even apply to conventional Christians)

9. A belief that the leader is right at all times. (Also applicable to Christendom)

10. A belief that the leader is the exclusive means of knowing “truth” or giving validation (Again, also applicable to Christianity in general)

*One might easily conclude that these last two metrics could even apply to followers of Jesus because of the aspects of “infallibility”. This raises an important theological point. If God outlines, appoints or selects only those who have been assigned a specific task to humanity we must not give into the temptation to think that we are just blindly following or deifying a personality. It becomes a “trust but verify” (through application) … not a blind faith.

If one who discovers laws that, when put into practice, yield results and does it repeatedly could it be argued that that person is “always right” ? Even Jesus betimes got frustrated with his own disciples because they failed to yield results with the “field assignments” they were admonished to go and do likewise.

The arguments and metrics by which one judges a group or organization to be a “cult”, especially Christian Science, are mostly straw man fallacies. Knowing whether something is “right” or “wrong” generally requires one to take to task what is being said and or practiced - challenge it, test it, and ponder it. It’s easy to infer anything at face value and this appears to be what many in the Christian Science Church have done at home and abroad who have taken a rather indifferent or hands off approach to the problem.

It’s one thing to conflate biblical inferences with heresy or blasphemy and another to tractably be able to distinguish between those things and Divine providence. Being “equal” is NOT the same as being complimentary because their respective missions were unique to them and for their time. Anyone who has read Mrs. Eddy in context knows that she saw her work as complimentary to Christs teachings, not a supplement to them. Furthermore, in her other writings she states “The Science of Christianity, that has appeared in the ripeness of time, reveals the incorporeal Christ; and this will continue to be seen more clearly until it be acknowledged, understood, — and the Saviour, which is Truth, be comprehended.” (Miscellaneous Writings 1883–1896, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 164:5). The phraseology she specifically says “ripeness of time”.

Many have, and still do to this day, decry “heresy” or “apostasy” as it does not comport to the conventional epistemology/theology in nearly all sects of Christendom. One of the reasons is that before the 19th Century and for about 1700 - or so - years, Christian dogma was controlled by and in much the same way modern media controls messaging today. Hierarchies in Christian religious organizations were not interested in having what they were “feeding” the masses trifled with. Perhaps why William Tyndale was imprisoned for about 18 months, disallowed to speak English and finally burned at the stake of not giving allegiance to the Pope.

For non-believers it’s a rather tall order to accept the idea that the most talked about man in human history once walked among us let alone believing he was not brought into this world by the conventional means of procreation i.e. the virgin birth.

Understanding the history of Christianity, for some, is more than just an intellectual exercise, it is a desire to know and unpack, in context, the great “mysteries” of the Bible. In John 5:39 Jesus stated: “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of me.”

This is more than a tall order for most yet Jesus admonishes and invites his followers to explore the scriptures. He never remands or concedes authority of his doctrine to a group of men or an organization - but to the individual alone. It is because of this he and those like him would be ostracized or cast out, as he himself predicted in Matthew Chapters 5-7.

Prophecies

Why would a Christian or any student of the Bible even bother entertaining the idea that a woman could conceivably be the "missing link “hidden from the foundation of the world” moreover, what business does a woman have being put in a complimentary context next to Jesus?

Consider for a moment some things that are clearly congruent and consistent in scripture i.e. the complimentary relationships between men and women throughout the Bible as a single over-arching theme;

For Example:

1. Genesis 1:26, 27 “Male and Female created he them.”

2. Sarah’s Birth To Isaac

3. Rebekah

4. Ruth

5. Isaiah 53 is the Prophetic vision of the Masculine divine representative.

6. Isaiah 54 is the Prophetic vision of the Feminine divine representative.

7. Jesus commences his ministry beginning at the wedding feast in Cana (John Chapter 2). Is it purely coincidence that his first of all miracles would be at a wedding ?

8. Revelation (Jesus Revelation to St. John on the Isle of Patmos) we are presented with another prophetic vision of the Apocalyptic Woman in Revelation.

Reviewed, Researched and Reconciliation

In a November 19, 1999 anonymous reader review of Bliss Knapp’s book “Destiny of The Mother Church” Made the following remarks:

“The ignorance of the views on Mrs. Eddy by her own closest associates by the detractors of this book is astounding. Most of these detractors, though ignorant of the origins of this view are of the so-called: Chicago/Kimball School. (Christian Science Students of Edward Kimball). Kimball, while a fine lecturer, turned down Mrs. Eddy's request to work in her household and never understood Mrs. Eddy's relation to Biblical Prophecy.

I have heard Knapp's views described as the "Knapp heresy". If so, then let us call it the Laura Sargent, Calvin Frye, Irving Tomlinson, Victoria Sargent, Calvin Hill, Adam Dickey, Martha Wilcox, (and about 50 others of her closest associates “heretics”) because virtually ALL of them shared this view of her.

That this is ignored demonstrates the considerable comparative IGNORANCE of modern day Christian Scientists to the history of their own movement. If Knapp was wrong, so were the C.S. Board of Directors, who issued in a 6 point statement in the July 1943 C.S. Journal (Christian Science Journal) called Mrs. Eddy's Place after 3 years of research in the church archives.

The findings of the editors and former editors paralleled Knapp's view. A change in the Board makeup with the passing of several members who actually knew and worked for Mrs. Eddy brought the current so-called orthodox Kimball based view. Between 1931 and 1999 only one non-Kimball line C.S. teacher has taught the C.S. Normal Class (1961).

The Biblical Red Dragon does two things to hide Mrs. Eddy's Place (in Prophecy);

1. It hides the actual historical facts of the commonality of this view among her closest associates, an undeniable historical fact to anyone willing to consider the actual written evidence.

2. Failing that it resorts to the common practice of lumping all these views under the heading of "deification of personality" this practice, abhorrent even to Bliss Knapp, when he is metaphysically understood, is concerned with her physical personality as it relates to Prophecy.

   While the view of Mrs. Eddy as typifying the "Woman of Prophecy" is concerned with her spiritual individuality this reviewer was originally on the side condemning the Bliss Knapp (Destiny) book but was forced to 180 degree alter his view after 2 years of research. States: “He will happily provide considerable documentary evidence to any inquirer”.

When Victoria Sargent C.S.D. came to Boston during the so-called “Next Friend's” suit in 1907 and had a conference with Mrs. Eddy, it is recorded a biographical sketch by her.. C.S. association the following, "Recognizing the high quality of her (Victoria's) mental (healing) work, Mrs. Eddy called Mrs. Sargent to Concord, (NH) in 1907, to help handle the error (evil) arising from the lawsuit known as the "Next Friends" lawsuit.

Mrs. Sargent went to Concord and remained several weeks. She was able to go to Pleasant View (Mrs. Eddy’s Home) a number of times, where she visited her sister, Laura, and with Mrs. Eddy. On one of these visits Mrs. Sargent addressed her Leader thus, "My students recognize you to be God's witness and mouthpiece…”

So much so to the point that it had alienated many from the church yet one would see that it is the adherents to Edward Kimball’s musings & teachings that have appeared to have all but subsumed what is left of Mrs. Eddy’s Church and its “teachers” of Christian Science.

Kimballs sentiments appear to be further echoed in a three part biography series of Mrs. Eddy by Robert Peel, who himself doesn’t appear to have conceded that Mary Baker Eddy as the woman of Revelation 12 but in so many words was a “unique” woman. And is this not indicative of the nature of evil ?

Chat GPT which has yielded some rather telling results which further corroborates conclusions others have already arrived at.

QUERY:

“Explain how the apocalyptic woman is a real woman that fulfills Jesus Promise of the comforter on the book of John Draw the correlations between the word comforter in the Greek (paraklatos) which means: defense attorney and how the concept of “satan” is the prosecutor - false accuser. (Use biblical correlations to this paradigm) Use Genesis 1:26, 27 as the foundation stone for the prophetic vision fulfilling the fatherhood and mother hood of God and the allude to the person in history who could most likely be the woman that has “made war with the dragon” and followed Jesus admonitions”

RESPONSE:

In the context of Christian eschatology and biblical prophecy, the "apocalyptic woman" is most commonly associated with the figure described in Revelation 12, where a woman clothed with the sun, standing on the moon, and crowned with twelve stars is seen as warring against the dragon (Satan). This vision is often interpreted allegorically, representing the Church, Israel, or the Virgin Mary in Catholic tradition. However, a more direct interpretation tying this figure to a historical woman fulfilling Jesus' promise of the Comforter (παράκλητος, Paraklētos) requires a unique analysis of scripture and theology.

The Promise of the Comforter and Its Connection to the Apocalyptic Woman

In John 14:16-17, Jesus promises His disciples the coming of the "Comforter" (Greek: Paraklētos), often interpreted as the Holy Spirit. However, Paraklētos can also mean "advocate" or "defense attorney," a legal term suggesting someone who speaks in defense of another. In contrast, the figure of Satan, described as the "accuser" in Revelation 12:10, acts as the prosecutor or false accuser, trying to bring condemnation upon humanity before God.

The term "paraklētos" as advocate or defense attorney implies one who stands in defense of humanity against these accusations. If we draw this correlation with the apocalyptic woman of Revelation 12, we can suggest that this woman, who battles against the dragon (Satan), also serves in a divine role of advocacy, aligning with the function of the Comforter promised by Christ. She symbolically fulfills a role of interceding for humanity, protecting the faithful from the attacks of the enemy.

Genesis 1:26-27: Fatherhood and Motherhood of God

In Genesis 1:26-27, God declares, "Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness," and proceeds to create humanity in His image, "male and female He created them." This passage reveals a duality in God's nature—both male and female aspects are reflected in humanity. The idea of both fatherhood and motherhood of God is implicit in this creation narrative, suggesting that God's complete nature includes nurturing, protective, and life-giving qualities often attributed to a maternal figure.

This maternal aspect of God's nature could be seen prophetically fulfilled in the apocalyptic woman of Revelation 12. She represents not only the Church or the people of God but also a manifestation of God's nurturing, protective, and life-giving nature in the world, aligned with the motherhood aspect found in Genesis 1:26-27.

Correlation Between Satan as Accuser and the Woman as Advocate

Satan, the accuser, is a legal adversary in the biblical narrative, constantly bringing charges against God's people. In Job 1:9-11, Satan accuses Job before God, claiming that Job only serves God because of his blessings. This accusatory role continues throughout scripture, culminating in Revelation 12:10, where Satan is called "the accuser of our brethren."

In contrast, the Comforter (the Holy Spirit or an advocate in human form) stands as a defender, countering the accusations of Satan. The woman of Revelation 12 appears as a symbolic fulfillment of this role. She not only protects her "child" from the dragon (who is Satan) but also represents the faithful who overcome the accuser's attacks by "the blood of the Lamb" and "the word of their testimony" (Revelation 12:11).

A Historical Fulfillment: Who Is the Woman?

To identify a historical figure who could embody the woman who makes war with the dragon and acts as an advocate or Comforter, one could turn to influential women in Christian history who stood against persecution, false accusations, and defended the faith. One possible candidate is Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of Christian Science, who taught that humanity’s spiritual understanding of God could overcome sin, sickness, and death. She advocated for a return to the healing power of Christ and spiritual defense against evil, aligning with the idea of a Comforter.

Mary Baker Eddy referred to God as both Father and Mother, embracing the dual nature of God found in Genesis 1:26-27. She saw evil as a false accusation—a lie about God's creation—and her theology presented God as entirely good, with no room for evil or false accusations in the divine economy. Her emphasis on defending humanity against sin, sickness, and death parallels the role of a spiritual advocate or defense attorney, countering the false accusations of Satan, the prosecutor.

Conclusion

The apocalyptic woman in Revelation 12 can be seen as fulfilling the role of the Comforter (Paraklētos), defending the faithful against the accusations of Satan, the prosecutor. This role mirrors the dual nature of God in Genesis 1:26-27, where both fatherhood and motherhood are represented. Historically, figures like Mary Baker Eddy may be viewed as embodying this prophetic vision, advocating for humanity's spiritual defense and making war with the dragon, following in the footsteps of Christ's promise of the Comforter.

This interpretation connects the defense of humanity (the role of the Comforter) with the ongoing spiritual battle against the accuser (Satan), drawing biblical correlations to support the concept of a real woman fulfilling this divine and prophetic role.

For Verification purposes that this was an actual ChatGPT query and response here are the screen shots including the URL.