new church life: november/december 2014
example of this is the teaching that whatever children receive as holy, “more
so if received from their fathers” is carefully protected by the Lord. (Arcana
Coelestia 2180:5) This in no way denigrates the irreplaceable gifts that mothers
bestow on their children. Mothers provide a tender love that fathers simply
cannot. (Conjugial Love 393, 403, 406, 410) But it does demonstrate precious
things that can be offered by each gender and not the other.
Our teachings, both direct and applied, can be opposed to some culturally
accepted norms around the world. One only needs to skim the prophets of
the Old Testament to see this is not new. Conjugial Love teaches a number of
things that European culture at that time found alien. We as a church have
defended the second part of Conjugial Love even when popular perception
found it shameful. And we stand against the practices of having multiple wives
and female circumcision, which are widely practiced in parts of the world.
It is true that we need to accommodate to natural states in our cultures
and deal with the feelings they generate. But our primary adherence needs to
be to the Lord’s Word and then address what comes from that.
Will this policy ever change? We do not legislate for the future. If we
follow the Lord and His Word faithfully, He will lead us into greater light and
warmth in the future. A great deal of research and thought has gone into the
recent papers by laity and by clergy on this subject. We have been digesting the
ideas presented, and that will continue.
We should trust the Lord to lead our thinking and pray to Him for
guidance. We should periodically re-examine our applications of doctrine.
And if anyone has a new insight, it should be shared. Counsel and discussion
should continue as we reflect and pray about this. However, in the past we have
found it useful to take a break from heated issues to let them cool down, and
then approach them in a new light.
Thank you for your forbearance with the length of this communication. I
realize it is a painful subject for many. It is a subject that matters to many people,
both those who support the policy and those who would like it changed.
In closing, I hope that we can remember and focus upon what is eternally
valuable about the New Church. There is so much that unites us – a new vision
of the Lord in His Divine Human, a new path for spiritual development, a great
help and hope for people going through the many states of life, a comforting
view of the Lord’s providential guiding, a beautiful vision of the afterlife, and
so many other uplifting concepts that lead to heaven.
While we will always consider and even disagree on some understandings
and applications of doctrine, let us join together in worshiping the Lord in
spirit and life.
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