True Christianity

by Swedenborg, Emanuel

• ISBN13: 9780877854074
• ISBN10: 0877854076
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-12-08
• Publisher: Swedenborg Foundation

Summary

"True Christianity" was Swedish scientist-turned-seer Emanuel Swedenborg's last published theological work, a systematic description of his view on the church in this world and the next. Interwoven with discussions of established Christian doctrine are many of his own experiences in heaven, creating a powerful vision of his hopes for the future of the church.

Author Biography

Emanuel Swedenborg (1688-1772) was a Swedish scientist, nobleman, and theologian who spent his life investigating the mysteries of the soul. Born in Stockholm to a staunchly Lutheran family, he graduated from the University of Uppsala and then traveled to England, Holland, France, and Germany to study the leading scientists of the time. He gained favor with Sweden’s King Charles XII, who gave him the position of overseer of the Swedish mining industry. Later, he was given a seat on the Swedish House of Nobles by Charles XII’s successor, Queen Ulrika Eleonora. Between 1743 and 1745 he began to have visions of heaven, hell, and Jesus Christ which resulted in a stream of books about the nature of God, the afterlife, and the inner meaning of the Bible. He devoted the last decades of his life to studying Scripture and presenting his own unique theology to the world.

Excerpts

On the Ten Commandments:

 

“It is generally recognized that the Ten Commandments in the Word are called the law in a supreme sense because they contain all the principles to be taught and lived. They contain not only all the principles related to God but also all the principles related to us. For this reason, the law was engraved on two tablets, one of which related to God and the other to us. . . .

 

“Because everything in the Word is about loving God and loving our neighbor, and the first tablet of the Ten Commandments contains a summary of everything about loving God while the second tablet contains a summary of everything about loving our neighbor, it follows that the Ten Commandments contain everything to be taught and lived.

 

“If you visualize the two tablets, it is clear how they are connected. God looks at us from his tablet and we look at God from ours. The two tablets therefore are turned toward each other. On God’s side it never fails that he is looking at us and doing what has to be done for our salvation. If we accept and do the things on our tablet, a reciprocal partnership [with God] develops. What happens to us then is indicated by the Lord’s words to the lawyer: ‘Do this and you will live.’”