christian scientist: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, religious/denominational
Quick answer
What does “christian scientist” mean?
A member of the Church of Christ, Scientist, a Protestant denomination founded in 1879 by Mary Baker Eddy, which emphasizes healing through prayer and spiritual understanding rather than through conventional medical treatment.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A member of the Church of Christ, Scientist, a Protestant denomination founded in 1879 by Mary Baker Eddy, which emphasizes healing through prayer and spiritual understanding rather than through conventional medical treatment.
The term can also refer, in a broader historical or cultural sense, to a person who studies or applies Christian theology to scientific questions, or to an adherent of a theological tradition that reconciles Christian faith with scientific principles, though this usage is less common.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning, as it refers to a specific international denomination. The church's presence and historical profile are somewhat greater in the US due to its origin there.
Connotations
In both varieties, the term primarily connotes the specific religious denomination and its beliefs regarding spiritual healing.
Frequency
The term is more frequently encountered in American English due to the church's historical roots and headquarters in Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Grammar
How to Use “christian scientist” in a Sentence
[be/live as/become/identify as] a Christian ScientistThe [noun/pronoun], a Christian Scientist, [verb]...Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “christian scientist” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- She comes from a Christian Scientist background.
- The Christian Scientist Reading Room was on the High Street.
American English
- She comes from a Christian Scientist family.
- The Christian Science Reading Room was on Main Street.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in contexts discussing health insurance opt-outs or workplace accommodations for religious beliefs.
Academic
Common in religious studies, history of religion, American studies, and sociology of religion contexts.
Everyday
Used when discussing personal religion, healthcare choices, or describing someone's religious affiliation.
Technical
Specific to theology, religious history, and comparative religion.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “christian scientist”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “christian scientist”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “christian scientist”
- Incorrect: "He's a christian scientist" (lowercase). Correct: "He's a Christian Scientist."
- Incorrect: "Christian Scientists rely on doctors." Correct: "Christian Scientists generally rely on prayer, not conventional medicine, for healing."
- Confusing 'Christian Science' with general 'creation science' or 'intelligent design' movements.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they are completely different religions. Christian Science is a Protestant Christian denomination founded in 1879. Scientology is a 20th-century movement founded by L. Ron Hubbard, not based on Christianity.
Christian Scientists believe that illness is primarily a mental error that can be corrected through prayer and spiritual understanding. While they do not forbid consultation with doctors, they generally choose prayer-based spiritual healing as their primary method of treatment.
No, *The Christian Science Monitor* is an international news organization founded by Mary Baker Eddy. It is respected for its high-quality, balanced journalism and is read by a general audience, not just members of the church.
In theory, it could be used to describe a scientist who is a Christian, but this usage is highly ambiguous and very rare. In almost all contexts, the capitalized form 'Christian Scientist' refers specifically to the member of the denomination.
A member of the Church of Christ, Scientist, a Protestant denomination founded in 1879 by Mary Baker Eddy, which emphasizes healing through prayer and spiritual understanding rather than through conventional medical treatment.
Christian scientist is usually formal, religious/denominational in register.
Christian scientist: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkrɪstʃən ˈsaɪəntɪst/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkrɪstʃən ˈsaɪəntɪst/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “"I'll do a Christian Scientist on it." (informal, rare: meaning to ignore a physical problem, hoping it will resolve itself spiritually)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
A Christian Scientist seeks to heal not with a pill, but with prayer and will.
Conceptual Metaphor
RELIGION IS A SCIENCE / FAITH IS A METHODOLOGY (The practice of faith is framed as a scientific, demonstrable system of healing.)
Practice
Quiz
What is the most defining practice associated with a Christian Scientist?