Many great thinkers in the world have helped me face my fears and take on life’s challenges. One thing leads to another and I found myself unearthing what is referred to as Christian Science. It’s principles have been advanced forever, and more specifically by a 19th century woman, Mary Baker Eddy, a woman nearly forgotten today.
Because spiritual enlightenment keeps these principles alive, I’ve learned of mental cause and effect. I’ve experienced mind power and its benefits to humanity. For more than half a century. In that time, I had a public practice offering spiritual healing and wrote books. Even when times feel crummy, the Holy Spirit doesn’t fail but urges me gently to discover an infinite intelligence that embraces people around the world, in their own languages, circumstances, and histories.
My books (click titles for link):
21st Century Science and Health is a reboot of Mary Baker Eddy’s Science and Health. The textbook talks about the healing law of God.
My briefer version of Science and Health is found in the book, from science & religion to God.
A Study Guide to Christian Science is a thin book with twenty-three exercises focused on the Bible and questions found in the chapter, Review, in 21st Century Science and Health.
My memoir, I Am My Father-Mother’s Daughter. is a fun read, about me growing up and working on the farm as a girl, learning to say no, and finding a bigger family, in Spirit, with confidence and empathy.
A historical fiction, The Second Husband, portrays Daniel Patterson, the second husband of the woman who became Mary Baker Eddy. Paterson escaped a Confederate prison and walked 400 miles to safety in the north. He and Mary were wed 20 years.
My first book, a children’s illustrated book, is a true story about the one Parent (God) who loves us all, A Foster Child Comes to Stay with Josie and Brooke.
Not to deter from church but show church as adaptable to today’s social circumstances, my book, Raising Children Without Church: Finding God in Everyday Activities, is now available.
A quick read for those interested in the history and influence as to why Mrs. Eddy revised her Science and Health continuously until her death, Pondering a Contemporary Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures
Zen Dogs and Other Woofs contains short, good-feel articles.
Magenta’s Family Christmas by Carly Hilios, is a fiction YA about a foster girl learning more about family.
Healing Science Today 
Your new 3rd edition book. What is the difference between new 3rd and older edition? I bought your book last May or June from Amazon. How can I tell which edition book I have?
Thank you,
willy
Hi Willy, On the copyright page, about the 6th line down, you will find which edition of “21st Century Science and Health” you have. The latest editions mainly contain grammatical corrections. The first edition had a typo on page 464, correct wording is “…because the message, and not the messenger, is the point.”
Also, There is a group of us here in town who get together to study Christian Science informally, we all bring whatever version of “Science and Health” we have, even Eddy’s last edition, and have noticed the ideas are still very parallel, therefore I’m confident your edition is fine.
It’s been nice meeting you.
Take care.
Sincerely,
Cheryl
Hi Cheryl,
I have Etta Jamison right here with me & she wants you to get in contact with her. She sends her love.
Jody
Hello Cheryl,
I am having a very difficult time trusting God. It seems that each time I feel deeply in my heart that my faith in God’s care will not fail me, it does. Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures opened the Bible to me in a very fresh and new way, but now I am thinking that it is all “Santa Clausism.” Any ideas before I give up complete on a belief in God?
Mark Marioneau
Hi Mark,
I am glad the Bible has been opened up to you. It is an interesting book to say the least. So is Science and Health.
Let’s see…as for your question about belief in God. I can only give my thoughts.
Believe it or not, I trust God to be a presence in consciousness, even yours. God however is a presence of mindfulness, wisdom, and usefulness, all of which we are capable of relating to and relating forward. The consciousness of anything unlike God doesn’t last, and you can be encouraged to know that that consciousness can’t influence you.
I do not “expect” anything from God, because I already have everything I need. But I do expect, that no matter what comes up in this crazy world, God made me able to respond to the situation with grace, care, and intelligence. Sometimes, I fail to respond with grace and get indignant, but mistakes have never stopped humanity from moving forward, so I keep active, keep reading, keep praying, and sure enough the courage to find out What God has done penetrates my consciousness and motivates me to discover an undeniable care, not only for me, but for everyone.
I don’t believe in Santa Claus but I do believe in, and act on, the spirit and manifestation of giving.
Maybe, I’ve learned it’s okay to give up on a belief in a God that fails us.
Thank you for coming to Healing Science Today.
Sincerely,
Cheryl Petersen
Thanks for stopping by, I enjoyed reading your thoughts!
“Beware of false prophets.” Matthew 7: 15
I am currently reading, again, the chapter Genesis in “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures”, by Mary Baker Eddy, and have been struck by the immense love this woman had for mankind that she endured terrible trials to bring her “little book” to those ready to receive it. She healed many, many people, often instantaneously, and through her book and personal teaching many others were (and are) healed or taught how to heal.
I contacted you a few years ago and you said you no longer had a healing practice. How, then, can you have the temerity to think that you are so illuminated that you have the ability to rewrite Mrs. Eddy exalted and healing text?
Your “disclosure” says it all. You don’t understand in the slightest Mrs. Eddy’s teaching and you are misleading those who buy and study your book.
Anyone truly desiring a divinely inspired work need only turn to “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures”, by Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science.
And, lest you think I am merely spouting doctrine of The Mother Church, I renounced my membership in order to separate myself from those who have so diluted the teaching of Mary Baker Eddy (as you have) that the organized Church is slowing but surely disappearing, as Mrs. Eddy herself predicted in her editorial “Principle and Practice”, which appeared in the September 1917 edition of the “Christian Science Sentinel”.
You are only doing what many have tried to do before you, and that is: think that you have a greater understanding when you cannot demonstrate it.
From our earlier interaction, I highly doubt you have the humility to allow this to be posted on this site. That’s alright. Your book will not endure for over 100 years and will not heal those who study it, but will vanish into obscurity, as it should.
Yes, the church is declining and the number of readers who read Mary Baker Eddy’s “Science and Health” is declining. Tremendous decline on both accounts. There are only a few of us who read Mrs. Eddy’s “Science and Health” in this world population of 7 billion.
My revision was motivated by a respect and appreciation for Mrs. Eddy. You may believe otherwise. Readers of my book understand “21st Century Science and Health” is a revision, a book with my name on it; revisionist and reader, like friends sharing Mrs. Eddy’s ideas in today’s language and in today’s modern society.
The modern “Science and Health” has in no way taken from Mrs. Eddy’s “Science and Health,” still intact, un-rewritten, with her name on it.
Blessings abound.
Sorry, thought that it didn’t go through.
It went through. Thanks for checking in. Take care.
“Hello Cheryl!
I would love to have you on my podcast: A Quest for Well-Being.
It has 26,000+ downloads, 2400+ newsletter subscribers, and 99,000views on Youtube!
We can discuss the topic in your book 21st Century Science & Health with Key to the Scriptures.
To listen to previously published episodes please visit: fitforjoy.org/podcast
If interested, please email me: valeria@fitforjoy.org
Looking forward to our meaningful conversation!
Much Love and Joy!!!
Valeria”
I really appreciate your weekly Bible lessons Cheryl!
I respect what you are doing, honor your courage, and completely get where you’re coming from in relation to ensuring that truth is easily understood and communicated with contemporary language and examples. You’re a remarkable woman.
I am one of those who have struggled for the past year to understand Christian Science and I so value how you’re making it much more accessible. I purchased the sixth edition, from science and religion to God, the study guide, and most recently your book on zen dogs! I’m enjoying everything you’re doing and have done. Thanks for your videos too! Vince
Thank you, Vince, for your comment. It’s an interesting journey we’re on. All the best to you and yours. Cheryl