Swedenborg and Swedenborgians - An Exploration of Influence and Response Part 1

Stephen tries to ascertain whether or not all of Swedenborg's work could be pulled under the umbrella of one clear theme. He puzzles over the fact that many people who read Swedenborg's work attack people who claim to interact with the other world, when the man whose doctrines they adhere to did the very same thing. -Editor

Swedenborg and the Search for the Soul

“The Search for the Soul” is a nice theme for Swedenborg’s life. It may not be the most accurate wording, since “soul” can have so many meanings. Swedenborg looked for the soul in nature, in the human body, in the brain. Then he looked in the Bible, in poetry, in symbols. He was not satisfied with this, however.

Then something happened that can only be described partially. I don’t think Swedenborg understood what was happening. His diaries and dream journals show great confusion and searching.

It is not even clear if his later works can be said to have “found the soul.” If soul is essence, the core, the most vital and relevant part of anything, then I guess that Swedenborg thought he had found it. He had found a continual internal sense or soul to the Bible. Part of that soul was the realization that the Bible talks about the evolution of the human race in symbolical terms. The first evolution was personal, and he called it regeneration. Swedenborg himself became a different person. He writes that he could hardly recognize himself as the person who wrote all those heavy scientific books.

Swedenborg found God, Jesus Christ, as he was looking for the soul.

Swedenborg became one of those people in history that stood right at the leading edge of history. They say he was ahead of his time. He designed a flying machine, had theories on galaxy formation that only much later were confirmed. But here he was at the leading edge of thought and human evolution. He knew this. It was hard for him to not be proud, and for all we know he stayed humble till the end. He published anonymously, never acquired followers, never started a church, and never even spoke publicly about his works.

Now a lot of time has passed. 250 years. The culture has changed enormously, as you all know very well. Because of this, some of Swedenborg’s books sound old-fashioned and limited. That’s okay: that does not invalidate them. He wrote about the relationship between men and women in a decidedly patriarchal way. Still, the leading edge quality shines through. Translations are still being made today, into many languages. The books sell minimally, yet every year there’s a few people from all continents that suddenly discover them.

After 1760 his name finally became known as author of Arcana Coelestia. He lost his anonymity. Sales were very low. Yet, as the years went by, individual people read and attacked his works. He was accused of personal interpretation of the Bible, calling it revelation. He was accused of being a confused dreamer, describing vague visions and trances. He was accused of perverting Sacred Scripture. He was taken for a charlatan and a magician.

However, as a person, Swedenborg is described as humble and very rational. He had a slight stutter which prevented him doing public speaking. He lived simply, without luxury. He performed his duties in politics. He was a very intelligent scholar and scientist. His books are extremely systematic, extremely well cross-referenced, and extremely logical.

But his ideas and assertions were far out of this world—literally, and for this he was attacked. The same thing happens to people today. It is humorous that in our present times, the very people who confess to the New Church theology based on Swedenborg’s works, in some cases vehemently criticize anyone who currently professes to talk to angels and have visions of the spiritual world.

Swedenborg was a New Age prophet if there ever was one, given that he wrote in the 18th century. A modern Swedenborgian however is likely to condemn New Age teachings for the same reasons people condemned Swedenborg 250 years ago. What can you say? It is unfortunate.

Stephen Muires

Stephen is forty-nine years old and currently located in Stockholm. He is now a freelance New Church minister and shaman, having recently resigned from the General Church. His main areas of interest are the Native American flute, the direct experience of God, and the awakening human race. His current independent spiritual work can be followed on youareanotherme.wordpress.com.