Surely We Are Not
Swedenborgians!
The Rev. Gerald G. Waters
F
or some years now I and several others have felt increasingly concerned
at the frequent reference in some New Church literature, whether it be
sermons, Journey Programs or collateral works, to “the works or teachings of
or from Emanuel Swedenborg.”
In recent years the General Church has promoted the introduction and
use of Journey Programs for small groups as an added and effective way to
teach and evangelize the wonderful new truths the Lord has given mankind in
His second coming.
These programs are, I believe, most applicable to younger people and those
searching for spiritual truth, which would include those non-New Church
folk who are invited to join Journey groups. These people are the future of
the Church and they need to understand clearly that the teachings of the New
Church come from the Lord and NOT from Swedenborg.
Yes, they were given through a man chosen by the Lord, Emanuel
Swedenborg, just as the books of the Old and New Testaments were given
through the minds of men chosen by God. Personally, I feel Swedenborg
would be distraught to know that the Writings he was enlightened to write
down are being referred to as his teachings.
Now, perhaps I am over-reacting to references of Swedenborg in church
literature and could benefit by having the views of others, and I would welcome
that.
So in the hopes of receiving such views, let me give you a sense of what
I’m talking about by quoting from a Journey Program we, in New ChurchWestville, South Africa, are currently working on.
In one section of the Journey Program dealing with the “Gift of Change” it
says: “Swedenborg describes the process of positive change, or repentance as
one that is essential to experiencing our full human capacity.” A little further
on it says: “According to Swedenborg, repentance doesn’t mean just noticing
our failures.” Then, over the page under the heading, “What does it mean ‘to
shun evils as sins’?” and after the explanation of this, it concludes by saying:
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