Christian Scientists and COVID-19: How Church Periodicals Framed Appropriate Metaphysical Practice, Communication Response, and Spiritual Authority During the Pandemic

The Church of Christ, Scientist offers a spiritual practice centered around metaphysical healing. This study applied a media framing analysis to stories in church periodicals published during COVID-19. The review identified four types of metaphysical practice, four communication strategies, and six authority figures. Most stories reflected a calm, non- confrontive approach consistent with the social order of Christian Science. Several interesting exceptions were noted. Study findings add to the body of literature regarding Christianity’s response to COVID-19 and contribute to knowledge of a church that tightly controls its public communication and has sometimes struggled to adapt in the modern world.