What's in a name?

That’s a classic line from Shakespeare.

I’ve learned there’s definitely something in a name.  After all, names — if properly given — help identify the nature and character of what they represent.  (Consider the difference between Saul and Paul in the Bible, and what these names meant.)

That's why it’s important to distinguish names, especially when they sound similar to each other.

Try Christian Science and Scientology.  They might sound alike, but there’s absolutely no connection between them.

Here’s a helpful way to distinguish Christian Science:

• Bible-based:  The teachings of Christian Science are based in their entirety on the Holy Bible, both the Old and New Testaments, with their primary emphasis on the life and works of Christ Jesus.  The first tenet of Christian Science states: "As adherents of Truth, we take the inspired Word of the Bible as our sufficient guide to eternal Life." (read more)

• Founder:  Christian Science was founded by Mary Baker Eddy, a devout Christian and lifelong student of the Bible.  In 1866, she was healed while reading the Bible of life-threatening injuries sustained from a fall on the ice. Thereafter, she dedicated her life to helping others learn and experience this same healing message of the Scriptures.

• Textbook:  Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, written by Mrs. Eddy, is the original, standard, and only textbook of Christian Science.  It's a textbook to be read with the Bible, bringing out the spiritual meaning of the Scriptures and their application to daily life.

Yes, there’s definitely something in a name!

For more, here’s a fun video from Russ Gerber (Hey Russ! series) called, “Scientology: Is it Christian Science’s nickname?”

First published in 1875, Science and Health has sold more than 10 million copies and is available in 16 language translations and English Braille.  In 2002, it was chosen by the Women's National Book Association as "one of the 75 books by women whose words have changed the world." (read more)