During the 20th century, ideas from the cultures of science and religion began intermarrying at an increasing rate. Staunch opponents to the unions dug in their heels and clung to their materialist and time-honored creeds but as a whole, society began adapting to the revolution. Over 100 years ago, Mary Baker Eddy wrote, “Sneers at the application of the word Science to Christianity cannot prevent that from being scientific.” (SH 341)
A scientific spirituality is doable, but requires thought transformation and increased practical understanding. Although the sciences have moved into the subatomic world of energy, physicists do not yet understand how the connected whole works. Although religions have moved into the realm of reason, faith practitioners have yet to grasp pragmatically how scientific spirituality works.
Not only can the relationships between science and religion be testy but the relationships within science or religion can go awry. What was scientifically proven valid yesterday becomes invalid today, or what was known to be true about God yesterday is ridiculous today. Human beings are programmed in dualism, use double-meaning terminology, and argue for what they know, even though the knowledge becomes obsolete before our very eyes.
Currently, all the rage is material and human energy. The phenomena of material and human energy are replacing the archaic notions of an absolute temporal universe. With the aid of technology, an infinite has been accepted; time and space are collapsing, and old maps of static information are fading, while an explosion of biofields, neural activity, chakras, and auras are being charted. The subject of connectedness and spirituality holds such strong promise and possibility, especially in light of healing, that thinkers from all backgrounds are investigating its application for use in daily life.
The investigation of divine Science recognizes the clear and total distinction between matter and Spirit; between human energy and divine energy. The term “human energy” connotes ever-changing configurations of forces as well as their general trend in mortal experiences. The term “divine energy” specifies the design of the one Spirit, Mind, as well as its unchanging expression of individual immortal consciousness as expressed through us and the universe—minus any reference to, or identification with, human minds, perceptions, or personalities.
The experiences involving human energy are only used as analogies to understanding the real and lasting divine energy. It is this divine energy that supports what is dubbed divine or Christian Science, and its healing practice. It is this divine energy that disallows a connection to negative material and human energy.