James Walker - Christian Science: Illusion, Confusion & Delusion

James Walker - Christian Science: Illusion, Confusion & Delusion

released on cassette

Although not credited on the tape, I recognize James Walker's voice from the other Watchman Fellowship tapes (previously posted here and here, BTW) as the man giving a long lecture about Christian Science. At the lecture, manuals were given to attendees which are referred to on this tape. I didn't find the manual, but it's probably not necessary for listening. Walker takes on the Christian Science denomination. According to Walker, Christian Science deviates from the correct belief system (i.e. the scriptures). Walker asserts that Christian Science is neither Christian nor science.

Christian Science was first articulated by Mary Baker Eddy around 1875 when she published her ideas in the book Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures. In 1879, Mary Baker Eddy founded the Church of Christ, Scientist, the formal organization of Christian Science, in Boston, Massachusetts. Basically according to the Christian Science FAQ on its website, Christian Science "is based upon a set of spiritual principles - laws relating to the nature of God and His creation - that can be applied with expected, consistent results" and it "is based on the Bible, and Christian Scientists follow the teachings and ministry of Christ Jesus. In fact, the virgin birth, the crucifixion, the resurrection and ascension of Christ Jesus, and so on, are all central to Christian Science theology." Prayer rather than remedies by modern medicine (a product of science) is usually the Christian Scientist's first choice for methods of healing. Christian Scientists claim that healing through prayer has worked for various ailments even for fixing broken bones.

The background of founder Mary Baker Eddy explains the Christian Science belief described above:

Without a doubt, the Bible was the most significant influence in Eddy’s life. She was a devoted student of the Scriptures from early childhood and gradually gained the conviction that spiritual healing was not limited to biblical times but could be practiced as effectively today. Chronically ill, she also investigated the medical systems of her time and gained insights into the mental factors of health from her study of homeopathy. For a time, her health improved under the care of Phineas P. Quimby, a self-taught healer in Maine who combined mental suggestion or hypnosis with what today might be called therapeutic touch. The improvement was not permanent, however, and she moved beyond his methods after his death in 1866. Convinced that genuine healing was rooted in God, not the human mind, she experienced a profound spiritual healing at age 44 as she read an account of Jesus’ healings. She spent the next three years of her life researching the Bible to understand how she had been healed and applying what she was learning to healing others through a system she eventually called Christian Science.

James Walker attempts to refute Christian Science beliefs and Mary Baker Eddy's ideas throughout the tape. One of the Christian Science beliefs is that evil is illusory and only good is real. Walker asserts that evil does exist especially emphasizing that Satan is alive and well. Walker implies that Christian Science has been perpetrated by demons or dark occultic forces. Despite the membership of Christian Science declining, Walker sounds alarmist over Christian Science's supposed influence in the world and asks people to "witness" to Christian Scientists to convert their beliefs to line up with Walker's beliefs and those of the Watchman Fellowship. Check out the Watchman Fellowship's perspective on Christian Science.

Tracklisting:

Side 1

1. Christian Science: Illusion, Confusion & Delusion {44:34}

Side 2

1. Christian Science: Illusion, Confusion & Delusion {44:33}