Emanuel Swedenborg (1688-1772) was born January
29, 1688, in Stockholm, Sweden. He mastered virtually all the known sciences of
his time; writing on mathematics, geology, chemistry, physics, mineralogy,
astronomy and anatomy. His achievements range from being the first to propound
a nebular hypothesis to making the first sketch of a glider-type aircraft. He
was also a skillful bookbinder, understood clock making, engraving, marble
inlay and lens grinding. He improved the forerunner of our phonograph. His
experimental tank for ships is still used. He reflected on the possibility of a
submarine, designed a machine gun and marketed a usable fire extinguisher.
Although he was
acknowledged by his contemporaries to be one of the outstanding scientific
figures of his generation, the last 27 years of Swedenborg's life were devoted
to writing books on religion. Before this, and even during his period of
religious writing, he served as one of the most creative and influential
members of the Swedish House of Nobles.
Swedenborg's
theological works form the basis of the Swedenborgian Church or, as it is
sometimes called today, The Church of the New Jerusalem. Although he never
intended a church denomination to be founded or named after him, a society was
formed in London 15 years after his death. This 1787 organization eventually
spawned the present General Convention of Swedenborgian Churches.
As a result of
Swedenborg's own spiritual questionings and insights, we as a church today
exist to encourage that same spirit of inquiry and personal growth, to respect
differences in views, and to accept others who may have different traditions.
Swedenborg shared in his theological writings a view of God as infinitely
loving and at the very center of our beings, a view of life as a spiritual
birth as we participate in our own creation, and a view of Scripture as a story
of inner-life stages as we learn and grow. Swedenborg said, "All religion
relates to life, and the life of religion is to do good." He also felt that
the sincerest form of worship is a useful life.
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