New Church Life November/December 2017 | Page 45

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The Rev . Dr . Andrew M . T . Dibb is Dean of the Bryn Athyn College Theological School . He has served as assistant to the pastor of the Carmel New Church in Kitchener , Ontario , Canada , as pastor of the Transvaal Society of the New Church Buccleuch in his native South Africa , and as Dean of the South African Theological School . He and his wife , Cara ( Glenn ), live in Abington , Pennsylvania . Contact : Andrew . Dibb @ brynathyn . edu
OUR NEW CHURCH VOCABULARY Part of a continuing series developed by the Rev . W . Cairns Henderson , 1961-1966 .
MERIT
Here we have a striking example of a term being used in the Writings with a meaning radically different from that which is in common usage . Ordinarily , “ merit ” has a positive connotation . It stands for goodness and worth , and conduct which is deserving of honor and praise is described as meritorious .
In the Writings , however , they are said to seek merit who suppose that they can do good from themselves , and would demand heaven as a reward which they have earned and to which they are therefore entitled , and their works are described as merit-seeking or meritorious . ( See Apocalypse Revealed 86 )
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