People, Ideas, and Movements That Shaped New Thought
Divine Science is a New Thought religious movement formalized in the 1880s by Malinda Cramer and Nona Brooks, emphasizing the omnipresence of God and the power of affirmative prayer. This article traces its origins, key figures, doctrinal evolution, and lasting influence on modern metaphysical spirituality.
New Thought, a 19th-century American mind-healing movement, laid the groundwork for modern positive thinking. This article traces its evolution from Phineas Quimby’s mental healing to the institutional forms of Unity, Divine Science, and Religious Science, and explores its lasting cultural impact.
A comprehensive exploration of the 19th-century concept of Mental Science, its roots in metaphysical movements, and its transformation into the New Thought movement, highlighting key figures, institutions, and publications.
From its metaphysical roots in the 1830s to its institutional flowering in the 1890s, the New Thought movement spread through a network of teachers, periodicals, and healing centers, leaving a lasting imprint on American spirituality and self-help culture.
Nona Lovell Brooks (1861–1945) was a leader in the New Thought movement and co-founder of the Church of Divine Science. This article traces her journey from a Presbyterian childhood in Civil War-era West Virginia to her healing experience, her founding of a major metaphysical denomination, and her lasting influence on American religious thought.
Malinda Cramer (1844–1906) was a pioneering figure in the New Thought movement, founder of the Divine Science tradition, and author of influential metaphysical texts. This article traces her life, teachings, organizations, and enduring legacy.