As a student at Bryn Athyn College, Chris was introduced to the teachings of the New Church and his interest in religion was revived. For years Chris was frustrated about what he felt was misuse of the Bible. But after his introduction to the New Church Chris was excited to have his thoughts about God being love not hate, that all people can go to heaven, and that science and religion can go together confirmed in the Writings of Swedenborg. -Editor
If I had to describe the New Church in a single word it would be love. As a newcomer to the New Church, I am astounded by the sheer degree of love involved in this faith. In my experience with churches and religion I have found that people are more focused on being correct than on love. This focus has always seemed odd to me, and when I finally left the church I grew up in, I started to do something rather dangerous; I started to think for myself. I've always told myself that I had a hard time with church, but not with God. So I left church, but not Him. It was time to find a new path. As new thoughts about religion and God started to fill my mind, it became time to look for a college to go to, and the college I chose was Bryn Athyn College.
Bryn Athyn College was the first place I had ever heard of the New Church, and despite being around for some two hundred years or so, the church was very new to me. Strangely enough, as I learned more and more about this church, I found that many of the teachings were thoughts I had been having ever since I left my old church. I was astounded that there was a group of people that actually taught that the Bible was not something to be taken word for word, but was something to interpret and find the deeper meaning of. I had become so used to Christians being the type of people that would take every word of the Bible literally and that there was nothing else to it. I was used to people taking those same words and using them as an excuse to dislike, hate, and even fight against other people. I've always felt that the Word teaches us to love each other and to be charitable.
My surprises didn't stop there though. I’m a pretty understanding guy: I had friends who believed in God and some that didn't, that never bothered me though, and my atheist friends often liked discussing issues of faith with me. One thing I always told them was that faith was based on believing in something without proof. I believe in God, but can't prove His existence. However, something I said was that even if God did not exist as some all-powerful being, He did exist as a concept, an idea, and that idea was love. When it all comes down to it, believe in love. Coming to the New Church and learning that I wasn't the only one thinking that God was love itself was probably one of the most refreshing things in my life.
I've said it before, and I will probably always say it, but I truly can't stand when people use their religion as an excuse to hate or fight against others. Coming over to the New Church, I am amazed to see less of that. There is definitely pride in the faith and a desire to illuminate people, but less of the “I'm right and you're wrong” kind of ideology being thrown about. Instead, there is more of a desire to find truths. Plus, the idea that you can be of a different faith and still be right is astonishing to me. I have long believed that people of different religions were just as likely to reach Heaven as myself, but not every faith seems to teach that. What I really enjoy about the New Church is that it is not only tolerant, but understanding of other faiths and ideas.
One last thing about the New Church that I have really enjoyed is that it is not afraid of science and logic. How could it, with such a scientific mind like Swedenborg's behind it? As Christians, we should believe that the world was created by our God. If that's the case, then shouldn't science and faith go hand in hand? I mean, if God created man, then wouldn't He make us so that we could evolve and become better? However, this gets into much deeper territory, so I'll leave that argument to the scientists.
I have got to say, the New Church is amazing. I have never found a faith that makes as much sense to me as this one, and I am very excited to see where my education takes me in it. I've made so many new friendships through the New Church and my faith in church and religion has been revived. I am truly grateful for this opportunity to be new to the New Church.
Chris is about to enjoy his third year at Bryn Athyn College. He is a dedicated student who commutes from New Jersey every day. Aspiring to work in a museum as a military historian, he is often found volunteering at Glencairn Museum in Bryn Athyn. A medievalist at heart, Chris practices swordsmanship as a way to study both the past and himself.