"A Bow of Promise on the Cloud": The Rise, Decline, and Regeneration of Christian Science, 1925-2024

Abstract

ABSTRACT: In 1925, the Christian Science movement, which emphasized healing through prayer, was the fastest-growing religion in the United States, yet by the turn of the twenty-first century, the church was in freefall. Using church records and contemporary and current published sources, this article delves into the reasons for this dramatic downturn. Evidence presented here shows that, despite an initial impressive spurt of growth, one major factor in the movement's decline was the strong centralized control that the governing Christian Science Board of Directors of The Mother Church in Boston exercised over the movement. This policy shackled both local churches and their members, resulting in conformity and only sporadic efforts to share the faith. Other reasons for the slide include the rise of medical science and few social activities for young and old alike. This article utilizes the framework of the rational choice school of the sociology of religion to illustrate the historic rise, decline, and regeneration of one of America's most distinctive religious groups.