On first examination, “muscular Christianity”—with its emphasis on manly vigor and physical strength—positions itself well afield of Christian Science teachings on the non-physical basis of existence, as propounded by founder Mary Baker Eddy. Nonetheless, both movements arose in the nineteenth century with a deep commitment to revitalizing Christianity and its practical value in an increasingly scientific and secular age, especially regarding bodily well-being. Both Eddy and advocates of muscular Christianity defended their respective systems on scientific and religious grounds, focusing on questions of health. At a time when the Young Men's Christian Association was a leading exponent of muscular Christianity, Eddy saw fit to give it significant philanthropic support. While her gift reflected civic goodwill as opposed to a close relationship with the Association, I argue that it was not anomalous to Eddy's overall values and vision for Christian Science. Like muscular Christians, Eddy was calling for a progressive Christianity that met the criteria of a pragmatic age. In giving attention to issues around manhood, Eddy was signaling the necessity as well as potentiality of Christian spirituality to be a source of health and empowerment for modern man.

中文翻译：

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男子气概和玛丽贝克艾迪：肌肉发达的基督教和基督教科学

在第一次检查中，“肌肉基督教”——强调男子气概和体力——将自己定位在基督教科学教义的非物质存在基础上，正如创始人玛丽贝克埃迪所提出的那样。尽管如此，这两个运动都起源于十九世纪，致力于振兴基督教及其在日益科学和世俗化的时代的实用价值，特别是在身体健康方面。艾迪和肌肉发达的基督教的拥护者都以科学和宗教为由为他们各自的系统辩护，重点关注健康问题。在基督教青年协会是强健基督教的主要倡导者的时候，艾迪认为给予它重要的慈善支持是合适的。虽然她的礼物反映了公民的善意，而不是与协会的密切关系，但我认为这与 Eddy 对基督教科学的整体价值观和愿景并无反常。像肌肉发达的基督徒一样，埃迪呼吁建立一种符合实用主义时代标准的进步基督教。在关注男子气概的问题时，艾迪表明了基督教灵性成为现代人健康和赋权的源泉的必要性和潜力。