Genuine Christianity

Genuine Christianity testifies to the value of reading and understanding more about Emanuel Swedenborg's biography. In this highly recommended article, Chelsea Odhner shares some of the insight she received from learning more about the context in which Emanuel Swedenborg wrote. Chelsea uses a light touch and makes the case for reading a Swedenborg biography by supplying a couple of the tantalizing shifts in thinking which she herself experienced. -Editor

Have you ever read any books by a certain Emanuel Swedenborg? Do you go so far as to consider yourself a believer of his teachings? Have you been baptized into the New Church?

If you fall into any of these categories, I highly recommend that you read a biography of Emanuel Swedenborg, if you haven’t already. I’d be curious to know what percentage of people who consider themselves to be in the New Church have read a biography of the good man. Now I have to admit, I’m twenty-six years old; I fit into every category, and only recently finished reading a biography of Swedenborg for the first time.

And there are many to choose from! If you live in the Philadelphia area, or are near it sometime, take a jaunt to the Swedenborg Library in Bryn Athyn, PA. Ask the person at the front desk where to find a biography of Swedenborg and you will be led to an aisle that contains up to eight shelves worth of biographies devoted to this one man!

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Editor's Box | Announcing!

Today is the launch day for Chapman Cast and Meditate! These two great new features are in addition to the weekly essay post! Chapman Cast is a podcast hosting discussions and interviews about New Church ideas run by Pearse Frazier. Meditate!, run by Chelsea Odhner, hosts reflections on the process of meditating on short excerpts from the Word. Now you have a podcast dedicated to New Church ideas and a weekly modeling of beautiful way to enjoy the Lord's teachings in Sacred Scripture! Please visit the site to make sure you are subscribed to receive content from both these great columns. - Editor.

Editor's Box | Dear Readers of New Church Perspective

We are closing in on the end of our first year and I wanted to share a couple things with you.

By mid-October we will launch two new columns!

The first is “Chapman Cast,” one of the first ever New Church podcasts. Chapman Cast is hosted by Pearse Frazier and will include interviews and discussions which can be downloaded and enjoyed wherever you take your MP3 player.

The second column, created by Chelsea Odhner, will offer regular, brief reflections on passages from the Word and Writings of Emanuel Swedenborg. Once underway “Meditate” will provide a space for others to also contribute their meditative responses to teachings in the Word.

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Meditate | What's in it for Me?

Read the Word and believe in the Lord, and you will see the truths which should constitute your faith and life. Everyone whose soul desires is capable of seeing the truths of the Word in light. (Apocalypse Revealed 224:3)

Enlightenment through the Word comes by an inward route. (De Verbo 13)

So what’s in the Word for us? To put it briefly: the opportunity to enter into a living relationship with the Lord.

The addition of this column was inspired by Alanna Rose’s article, “Meditate on the Word of God.” After reading her article I began to practice daily what she suggests. Each day I read a few numbers from Secrets of Heaven and write down any sentences or phrases that strike me. I choose one or two of these and sit for meditation, concentrating on the passages and what they mean. In time, the passage, like the bud of a flower, begins to unfurl itself in my mind, releasing sweet scents and radiant colors. I take the time after meditation to write down what has come to me.

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Meditate on the Word of God

Alanna Rose shares a beautifully simple practice for enjoying and engaging with the Lord's Word. Revelation can often feel intimidating in length or confusing in content but Alanna describes an approach to taking small, bite-sized pieces at a time. This method offers the opportunity to cherish and delight in the Lord's truth. -Editor

Among the things Swedenborg charged himself with was “diligently to read and meditate upon the word of God” (Documents Concerning Swedenborg, R. Tafel, p 26). This idea has been oft repeated from the pulpit. I recall being encouraged many times to go to the Lord’s Word. This is a simple instruction.

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Editor's Box | Digest: Articles 31 through 40 in 2010

July 30 through October 1. Catch up on any of the articles you've missed! Along with several stand alone articles we have a series of Weird articles by Todd Beiswenger and a series of dissertation digests from Academy of the New Church Theological School students (ANCTS, www.ancts.org)

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