Letters
Letters may be sent to the Editors of New Church Life at
Box 743, Bryn Athyn, PA 19009
or e-mailed to [email protected].
The Lord Speaking to Us
To The Editors:
I would very much like to thank the Rev. Gerald Waters for his article,
“Surely We Are Not Swedenborgians!” (New Church Life, May/June 2016, page
249)
Since childhood I was taught that the Heavenly Doctrines, or the Writings,
are the Lord speaking to us. I find it disturbing when so often I hear lay people
and ministers say, “Swedenborg says . . .”, or “according to Swedenborg . . .”
I think over the years a casualness has subtly developed with regard to the
authority and sanctity of the Heavenly Doctrines. As we welcome newcomers
to our church services I often wonder if they understand that the teachings
they are hearing are from the Lord through His chosen servant, Emanuel
Swedenborg. And that these truths ARE the Lord’s Second Coming.
I am not sure that this is being communicated – even to many who have
been baptized and raised in the Church. A fundamental belief that makes us
distinct from all other religions on earth is that the Second Coming has already
occurred. Swedenborg merely was the medium through which the Lord God
Jesus Christ chose to reveal Himself to mankind.
As Mr. Waters pointed out, “If we keep stressing the importance of and
belief in what Swedenborg says or teaches, we will be undermining the growth
of the Lord’s New Christian Church on earth.”
Karen G. Heinrichs
Rochester, Michigan
417