New Church Life September/October 2016 | Page 103

  Warm memories and loving sentiment To those already heaven sent. “Hosanna!” our banner ever sings, Our thanks and praise forever rings. (BMH) From the Swedenborg Library Digital Collections www.swedenborglibrary.org/digital O U R N E W C H U RC H V O C A B U L A R Y Part of a continuing series developed by the Rev. W. Cairns Henderson, 1961-1966. HERESY Because this term is used so loosely, it is important that we have a clear definition of it. Such a definition is contained in a statement that heresy is doctrine separated from the Church, for the essentials of the Church are he acknowledgment of the Lord and or the Word and the life of charity. Only doctrines which would separate from these may rightly be called heresies, therefore; others, even if they conflict with our views, are only differences of opinion or of interpretation. It is to be noted that heresy condemns no one; what condemns is confirmation of the falsit6y in the heresy from an evil love. Those who are in heresy as to the understanding, therefore, can be reformed and saved if they do not thus confirm it. (See Arcana Coelestia 324, 3488, 6400; Sacred Scripture 92; Divine Providence 259.) 509