new church life : november / december 2017
nailed the Ninety-Five Theses to the church door ,” he writes , “ Luther could not have imagined how this act would change the course of history . The full result would not come to light until the giving of the Heavenly Doctrine .” ( Page 503 )
In a stirring Charter Day Cathedral Address , the Rev . Michael K . Cowley offers the vision of An Opened Door to a Higher Education . The Academy of the New Church takes its vision from the Nunc Licet temple , whose door will never be closed . “ This elevated vision was so powerful that they [ the founders ] built this church .” And “ it becomes our own Academy as we continue to walk the walk , when we continue to see the vision given by the Divine . He sets before us the open door which no one can shut .” ( Page 512 )
John Bigelow was a remarkable man in the mid-19 th century who discovered Swedenborg ’ s Writings in a moment of serendipity in a Godforsaken situation , plunged into reading them with intense curiosity and equally intense skepticism , but convinced himself this had to be Divine revelation . His story is told in a reprint from the February 1912 New Church Life by the Rev . William Hyde Alden . ( Page 517 ) See also an item in Life Lines – ‘ I was blind and now I see .’ ( Page 561 )
Steve David offers a comprehensive update on the impressive work of the New Christian Bible Study Project . “ We ’ re now offering the Writings online , linked to the Word and to each other , in 17 languages , which are spoken by more than 3.7 billion people . It ’ s a hugely important step for the New Church to be taking .” A lot of volunteers are helping , but more involvement – and contributions – are needed to keep the effort growing and connecting . ( Page 524 )
The Rev . Dr . James F . Lawrence , Dean of the Center for Swedenborgian Studies at the Pacific School of Religion in California , reviews a book by Theodore D . “ Doug ” Webber , The Symbolism of the Psalms : A Spiritual Commentary . This is the first of a projected three-volume study of the meaning of the Psalms as set forth in the Writings . ( Page 530 ) Church News , beginning on page 532 , includes :
• A summary of the General Church Board of Directors meetings in September
• A summary of the Academy Board and Corporation meetings
• The Charter Day celebration , including : the banquet , reunions and Theta Alpha luncheon ; Distinguished Alumni and Outstanding Volunteers for the College and Secondary Schools ; an exhibit by reunion artists ; the annual scholarship golf outing
• A special visitor to the Bryn Athyn Cathedral – a direct descendant from a brother of Emanuel Swedenborg
• Notes from the Living Waters Camp
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