new church life: september / october 2013
character-formation. Changing our ruling love, reformation, amendment after
death, are impossible. “As the tree falls, so it lies.”6
Was Swedenborg’s Understanding Correct?
At the outset of this series of articles, we noted that it cannot be a matter of
debate what Swedenborg himself believed and taught in the Writings on this
subject. Human beings make a free choice between good and evil during
their lives in the natural world.
They are held in equilibrium
between good and evil so that
they can make this choice. Their
minds take form organically,
both on a natural and spiritual
level, in conformity with this
choice. Upon death they retain
a fixed form in ultimates that
corresponds with their choice,
and enter permanently, either
into a state of heaven or hell.
Where Divine revelation
is concerned, I believe it is
legitimate to ask whether the
prophet’s understanding (as stated
in the letter of that revelation)
and the Lord’s message agree.
Revelation is given in time and space, in the context of a given culture.
Revelation has a literal meaning that is in some measure time-bound; and it
has a spiritual message that is timeless and universal. Sometimes we are led
to see that some truths are deeper and more fundamental than others. Some
truths are expressed in such a way as to teach us on one level, yet may be
transcended when seen on a different level.
According to the Writings, the most universal truths are revealed plainly
in the letter of revelation. These are called “genuine truths.” Genuine truths are
seen and believed by those who love Truth and Goodness. They are described
The natural world is a place
where we can participate
in our own formation. Our
souls are formed by the
Lord in connection with our
choices, and in conjunction
with the fixed materials of
outermost creation. This is
the purpose for which the
natural world was designed!
6 This idea receives great emphasis, e.g.: Arcana Coelestia 7186.3, 6977.1-2, 7541.3, 8700.2-4, 4588,
9122 (=New Jerusalem and its Heavenly Doctrine 138), 10749 (=Ibid. 239); Heaven and Hell 477-480;
Spiritual Experiences 4645-4646, Ibid. 2803ff; Apocalypse Revealed 937.2-3. Passages which clearly
teach that those who choose to be ruled by evil remain in hell to eternity: Arcana Coelestia 7541.3, 10749
(=New Jerusalem and its Heavenly Doctrine 239); Heaven and Hell 477f, 527; Apocalypse Explained 193.13, 5, 1164.2, etc.
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