PERSISTENT PILGRIM: The
Life of Mary Baker Eddy
by Richard A. Nenneman
Persistent Pilgrim is the most in-depth,
serious biography of Mary Baker Eddy since the Peel trilogy a
generation ago and the first one-volume story of the life of the
founder of Christian Science to be written by a Christian Scientist
in almost 50 years. In an easily accessible book of over 360 pages,
Richard Nenneman, who a few years ago retired as Editor-in-Chief
of The Christian Science Monitor, traces the outlines of her life
and the religion she described as a discovery in terms understandable
to any general reader.
A fascinating aspect of this biography
is that Nenneman researched and read every available piece of
correspondence written by Mary Baker Eddy that is in The Mother
Church archives; yet he does not use extracts or quoted materials
heavily. The book examines the woman behind the public image,
including her upbringing, family and personal tragedies, religious
development, lawsuits, etc. These excerpts from Mrs. Eddy's letters
vividly portray her challenges and her dealings with her students
and later with her young church. The author does not believe that
a religious biography can be written without a point of view,
but he does not draw back from presenting Mrs. Eddy as a woman
who could be volatile. In fact, while the book necessarily traces
the development of Christian Science, it is even more a story
of Mrs. Eddy's personal development, growth, and ability to lead
others through her spiritual maturity. Her story culminates in
the almost continual challenges she faced and overcame during
the last decade of her life.
Richard A. Nenneman, who spent two
decades of his working career as a banker, was also Financial
Editor of The Christian Science Monitor for ten years and has
been its Managing Editor as well as Editor-in-Chief. As Financial
Editor, he won a record number of writing awards for the paper.
Drawing on his original interest in American religious history--he
graduated magna cum laude from Harvard with a thesis on O.B. Frothingham,
a former Unitarian minister--he has written a book in as readable
language as his financial columns of 20 years ago or his 1992
book, The New Birth of Christianity published by HarperSanFrancisco,
a book that positioned Christian Science in its 19th-century milieu,
while addressing the religion from the perspective of questions
in the minds of late 20th-century readers.
A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR:
This is an attempt to write an accessible
(368-page) biography of a major American religious figure, the
founder of Christian Science. Partly because the religion she
founded remains controversial, there are virtually no evenhanded
portrayals of her life. As someone who has been a student of Christian
Science since my college days, I believe that only a person who
has some understanding of the metaphysics of Christian Science
can portray the story of Mrs. Eddy's development--can understand
her high degree of spiritual intuition and foresight. I have attempted
to deal with the elements in her background that prepared her
for Christian Science, while at the same time acknowledging that
those elements do not account for her discovery.
The first major work of scholarship
to appear was the trilogy by Robert Peel, who was also a Christian
Scientist. It is a major work, but being 800 pages of text plus
400 pages of small-type footnotes, it is not easily accessible
for the general reader wanting to learn about Mrs. Eddy for the
first time. Other than Peel, I am the only biographer to have
delved this deeply into her correspondence, as well as to have
spent months reading the reminiscences of those who worked with
her, letters of her family members, and many letters of those
who came in contact with her in the last twenty years of her life.
From these I have distilled what I feel is the essential story.
If this book succeeds at what I
have tried to do, it should set the tone for future works on Mrs.
Eddy. The following are paths of research that others could try
to follow in their individual ways: What did she owe to her surroundings
and mentors, and what is there that is not attributable to her
background? In other words, was there a legitimate discovery involved
in her system of healing?
Does the theology of her discovery,
Christian Science, build a believable coherence to the traditional
Biblical account of the life of Christ Jesus? Does the practice
of her discovery lead to a level of spiritual healing that is
dependable enough to bear the label of a science, and does it
go beyond what is recognized as possible in psychosomatic medicine?
And, perhaps most important for the future, do the categories
of consciousness she established have a staying power in a world
dominated by the constantly evolving language of psychology?
-- Richard A. Nenneman
CONTENTS BY CHAPTER
Preface
Prologue
Chapter One New Hampshire Childhood:
Baker Family Heritage
Entr'Acte One Puritanism in America
Chapter Two Twenty Years of Disappointment
and Preparation
Entr'Acte Two Hypnotism: From
Mesmer to Quimby
Chapter Three The Period Leading to
the Discovery: Quimbyism Both a Catalyst and Cul-de-sac
Chapter Four Years of Discovery:
Early Practice; The First Class
Chapter Five The Lynn Years: Continuing
Discovery by Experience; The Textbook Is Written
Chapter Six The Boston Years:
A National Movement Forms
Chapter Seven Retirement
At Pleasant View: Mrs. Eddy's Work As Founder
Entr'Acte Three The Terminology of
Christian Science: Simple Words, Precise Meanings
Chapter Eight Pleasant View - Retirement
Postponed: Challenges to a Growing Movement
Chapter Nine Return to Boston:
Final Steps at Chestnut Hill
Epilogue
Footnotes
CRITICAL REVIEWS
"Richard Nenneman's perspective is
made possible by his access to the thousands of letters Mrs. Eddy
wrote and the love and awareness with which his long association
with the subject has prepared him. A good book is always written
by one in the right position to accomplish his purpose, and Mr.
Nenneman's preparation and knowledge certainly empowers this finely
balanced accounting. His editorial experience backgrounds every
page. His reporter's objectivity is tempered by his profound respect
for Mrs. Eddy's mission, her challenges, and triumphs." J.D.
"When I first read the manuscript
upon submission to Nebbadoon Press, I couldn't put it down until
I finished it at 4:00 AM. Never before had a biography, or for
that matter even a Grisham thriller, kept me up turning each page
to see what would happen on the next. I still get goosebumps when
reflecting on the contents. I now much more deeply appreciate
what Mary Baker Eddy had accomplished and sacrificed so that future
generations can benefit." G.S.
"Richard Nenneman's new book on
Mary Baker Eddy fills the need for a one-volume biography of this
major religious figure of the Twentieth Century, which is readable
without sacrificing depth and scholarship. Nenneman has had access
to the latest available research materials and combines them effectively
with a comprehensive background knowledge of American social
and religious trends. The integrity of this work, like that of
his previous books is immediately clear." H.J.
"A 'must read,' Richard Nenneman's
PERSISTENT PILGRIM rivets the reader with his fresh examination
of a spiritual thinker--Mary Baker Eddy. This thoughtful exploration
of her life and work guides the reader to a new appreciation of
her contribution - both scientific and spiritual. We've needed
this book." M.P.
"As a life-long student of Christian
Science, I was delighted to find so much information that I had
never been aware of before. This is a must-read." G.J.
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THE NEW BIRTH OF CHRISTIANITY: Why Religion Persists
in a Scientific Age'
by Richard
A. Nenneman
"Whatever names we may want to hang onto this century [20th],
this is certinly the age of science. The world approaches the
end of a century of unparalleled scientific discovery and technological
achievement. Yet neither the discoveries nor their remarkable
applications touch the personal hunger most of us feel for meaning
in our lives--for identification with somehting or someone bigger
and more enduring than we sense outr own mortal lives to be."
This book is a lively and articulate illumination
of Christianity that sets it directly in the midst of the challenges
of modern life.
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JESUS' HEALINGS: A Closer Look
by Dr. Elizabeth L. Carey
Study guide for serious adult Bible
students and for Sunday School teachers. Non-denominational.
The purpose of this book is three-fold:
1.To understand the
healings in the gospels as natural occurrences, not as miracles;
2.To suggest new ways
to get fresh insights from these familiar stories;
3.To see the gospel
record of healing as containing beneficial hints regarding Christian
healing for every age.
Biblical healings are often thought
of as tall tales, myths, or supernatural events. What if they
are records of real day-to-day activities, records of what was
said, seen, and accomplished? Both philosophers and theologians
have argued that a miracle is not an exception from law but is
the working of a law that as yet is not adequately understood.
If this is true, are there concepts we have overlooked in the
biblical record? Are compassion, faith, understanding, and expectancy
elements of a lawlike fabric of reality that could bring similar
results today?
Dr. Elizabeth L. Carey retired in
1990 as Associate Professor of Religion at Principia College,
where she taught New Testament courses for 13 years. She has a
BA in English/Education from Principia College, an MA in English
from Michigan State University, an MRE from Covenant Theological
Seminary, and a PhD in New Testament Studies from Walden University.
Dr. Carey has studied in summer
programs around the world at Hebrew Union College in Jerusalem
(Judaism); University of Hawaii (Asian culture); University of
Ghana (African studies); Oxford University (English literature);
Hebrew University in Jerusalem (Archaeology); Greek studies in
Macedonia, Greece; and New Testament studies at McCormick Seminary
in Chicago and Christ
Seminary Seminex in St. Louis.
After retirement, Dr. Carey maintained
a busy schedule in adult education in her field, teaching and
lecturing worldwide.
Dr. Carey presently is in the healing
ministry as a Journal-listed Christian Science practitioner.
CONTENTS BY CHAPTER
Chapter 1 Biblical Healing
Chapter 2 Jesus' Healings According
to the Gospels
Chapter 3 Translations
Woman with Issue of Blood (Matt.
9:20-22, Mark 5:25-34, Luke 8:43-48)
Chapter 4
Bible Dictionary and Commentary Study - Leper Cleansed (Matt 8:1-4,
Mark 1:40-45, Luke 5:12-15) Ten Lepers (Luke 17:11-19)
Chapter 5 Specific Questions - Jairus'
Daughter (Matt. 9:18,19,23-26,
Mark 5:22-24, 35-43, Luke 8:41,42,
49-56)
Chapter 6 Jesus' Words
Chapter 7
Free-Wheeling Questions - Woman with an Infirmity (Luke 13:10-17)
Chapter 8
Role-Playing - Palsied Man Cured (Matt. 9:1-8, Mark 2:3-12, Luke
5:18-26)
Chapter 9
Comparison - Similar Stories in Different Gospels, Centurion's
Servant (Matt. 8:5-13, Luke 7:1-10), Nobleman's Son (John 4:46-54)
Chapter 10 All
Study Techniques Applied - Healing of Severed Ear (Luke 22:50,51)
Chapter 11 Healings
of the Blind (Matt. 9:27-31, P.111; Matt. 12:22-24, Mark 10:46-52,
Matt. 20:29-34, Luke 18:35-43, Mark 8:22-26, John 9:1-41)
Chapter 12 General Statements about
Jesus' Healings in the Four Gospels
Chapter 13 Conclusion
THE COMMANDS OF JESUS
by Dr. Elizabeth L. Carey
Study guide for serious adult Bible
students and for Sunday School teachers. Non-denominational.
According to the gospel of John,
Jesus said to his disciples, "If ye love me, keep my commandments"
(John 14:15). What are these commandments that we are to keep?
Jesus' sayings as given in the gospels
can be categorized as commands, declarative comments, and questions.
In this book we will look at his commands, to see more clearly
what we are to do, what actions we are to take, and how we are
to think, in order to live the life Jesus expected of his followers.
This book is a study of some of
the commands in depth. It shares ways to get more out of these
briefly stated demands and considers whether it is feasible or
desirable to apply them in modern society.
The commands can be roughly divided
into three types:
1.Short imperatives
addressed to individuals in specific situations such as:
"Follow
me" (Matt. 9:9).
"Arise,
take up thy bed" (Matt. 9:6).
"Stretch
forth thine hand" (Matt. 12:13).
2.Commands that are
more culturally relative, such as those regarding alms and fasting
(Matt. 6:1-4,16-18).
3.Commands that are
timeless because they are concerned with an individual's thoughts
and relationships. Examples of this type of command are:
"Thou shalt
love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul,
and with all thy mind" (Matt. 22:37).
"Thou shalt
love thy neighbor as thyself" (Matt. 22:39).
"Be ye therefore
perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect" (Matt. 5:48).
This third
category deals with the ultimate issues of existence. This book
will be concerned mainly with this type of imperative.
Dr. Elizabeth L. Carey retired in
1990 as Associate Professor of Religion at Principia College,
where she taught New Testament courses for 13 years. She has a
BA in English/Education from Principia College, an MA in English
from Michigan State University, an MRE from Covenant Theological
Seminary, and a PhD in New Testament Studies from Walden University.
Dr. Carey has studied in summer
programs around the world at Hebrew Union College in Jerusalem
(Judaism); University of Hawaii (Asian culture); University of
Ghana (African studies); Oxford University (English literature);
Hebrew University in Jerusalem (Archaeology); Greek studies in
Macedonia, Greece; and New Testament studies at McCormick Seminary
in Chicago and Christ
Seminary Seminex in St. Louis.
After retirement, Dr. Carey maintained
a busy schedule in adult education in her field, teaching and
lecturing worldwide.
Dr. Carey presently is in the healing
ministry as a Journal-listed Christian Science practitioner.
CONTENTS BY CHAPTER
Chapter 1 JESUS' COMMANDS
Chapter 2 THE TWO GREAT COMMANDMENTS
(Lists and Questions)
Chapter 3 JUDGE NOT (Translations)
Chapter 4 EARTHLY VALUES (Poetic
or Literal Reading)
Chapter 5 HEAL THE SICK (Freewheeling
Questions)
Chapter 6 NO ANGER (All Sections
Considered)
Chapter 7 LOVE ENEMIES (Opposites)
Chapter 8 THE GOLDEN RULE (Not Unique)
Chapter 9 NEW COMMANDMENT IN JOHN
(Prioritize)
Chapter 10 PRAYER, ALMS, FASTING
(Cultural Setting)
Chapter 11 ADULTERY, DIVORCE, MARRIAGE
(Deepening the Law)
Chapter 12 BE PERFECT (Word Study)
Chapter 13 OTHER COMMANDS (Interrelatedness)
Chapter 14 CONCLUSION
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