Word for themselves and that its doctrines remain aligned with the primary
doctrines that the Lord has given us.
What path should the New Church pursue in spreading the “good news
right straight from heaven,” as Johnny Appleseed described it? Clearly, the New
Church should attempt to share the Writings with everyone who is receptive to
them. Initiatives such as NewChurch LIVE and many of the internet projects
give introductory exposure to New Church doctrine in non-threatening ways
that are more likely to be received than an outright attack on false beliefs held
by Christian denominations.
As a “religion that makes sense” we would expect the New Church to be
favorably viewed as it is further exposed. However, there are some dynamics
working against this. While most people believe that we should treat our fellow
man with charity we also see a distrust of religious organizations by many as
they perceive an attempt at dominion; see people living in conflict with what
their faith teaches but still claim to be saved; and also see beliefs based on a
strictly literal sense of the Bible that do not make sense to them.
We also must keep in mind that the hells are doing everything in their
power to keep the New Church from growing and gaining acceptance, since
it is a direct threat to them. But, for those who are searching for a spiritual
meaning to life and come with an open mind and desire to learn, the New
Church should appeal to them.
There seem to be important takeaways from Jenkins’ analysis of the
growth of the Christian Church for the New Church. One would expect that
the regions for which he predicts the highest Christian growth rates would
also be potential growth areas for the New Church, especially since at least
some of them align with what the Writings tell us.
The New Church doctrine of the marriage of faith and charity should appeal
to those who are looking for both spiritual and worldly life improvements, as
long as they are not strictly focused on accumulation of wealth, power or an
escape from uses.
The South’s connection with the “spirit world” should also provide a link
as the New Church can share the knowledge of associate spirits, that we all live
in the natural and spiritual worlds simultaneously, although only consciously
in the natural world until we transition, and that our ancestors do in fact live
to eternity as we will.
Jenkins notes that in the South “revelation simply makes sense” and that
the Book of Revelation is a favorite, in contrast to the North where it is often
avoided. The New Church’s ability to explain this Revelation would be expected
to be more readily received in these regions. The challenges will come from
cultural norms that are at odds with New Church doctrine, which cannot be
compromised, but also from cultural differences that are not in conflict with
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