Swedenborg

[Fizzywig]

Karl Barth is the most famous and prolific Protestant theologian of the 20th century and the author of many volumes. He once responded to his critics in this memorable way: "I don't ask people to agree with me. I don't even ask them to read me. But if they're going to criticize me, I want them to read me, and preferably all of me." This thread is a typical example of the utter lack of fair=mindedness and intellectual integrity of many conservative Christians. Swedenborg was a prolific author with unprecedented high quality verifications of his spiritual gifts. Yet none of his critics on this thread have the decency to actually read him or, at least, a book about his views and experiences before either criticizing him or deliberately causing the thread to digress from its topic.

Yes, as the OT says in Proverbs, "He who answers a thing before he heareth it, it is a shame and a folly unto him" ( I assume this applies to women too? )

 

[Albion]

I'd say that that comment is fair. Most people have no idea what he wrote, and so their replies have been made to what has been attributed to him here.

But on the other hand, there is little that can be said in support of Swedenborg's claimed visions of the afterlife and about the nature of God. Just about the most that sympathizers can point to is what you yourself did. I'm referring to the character of the man.

He was not pretentious, wanted to start no new church, didn't impose his beliefs on anyone, etc.--all of which is quite the opposite of such men as Joseph Smith, Jr., Charles Taze Russell, Herbert W Armstrong, and so many others. And although he was a noted clairvoyant, this wouldn't verify his religious teachings.

 

[JM]

More here: Opinions on Emanuel Swedenborg

 

[Deadworm]

A Stanford University research group rated 3 men as having the highest IQ ever--John Stuart Mille, Goethe, and Swedenborg. ES's verifications of the reality of an afterlife are far superior to any evidence from NDEs or Christian apologetics. To understand why I can make such claims, take my challenge to read these 2 mind-blowing books:

(1) Wilson van Dusan, "The Presence of Other Worlds."
This book summarizes ES's spiritual insights and will probably be the most original book on spirituality you have ever read. But chap. 7 ("Minor Miracles") is by far the most intriguing chapter on afterlife evidence I have ever read. It's title makes me laugh because the paranormal experiences described are beyond awesome.

(2) Then read ES's most famous book "Heaven and Hell" [The Portable Edition]. The insights he shares are based not on speculation, but on many, many visits to the various heavens, hells, and intermediate spiritual realms.

DISCLAIMER: I am a retired pastor and ex-theology professor, who considers himself an evangelical Christian. In no way do I put ES on a par with the Bible. But if you want to be challenged by the most successful explorer of spiritual dimensions ever, ES is your man.

 

[Albion]

And if this is accepted as true--

The insights he shares are based not on speculation, but on many, many visits to the various heavens, hells, and intermediate spiritual realms.

Then of course he'd be seen as special.

If.

 

[TheOldWays]

A Stanford University research group rated 3 men as having the highest IQ ever--John Stuart Mille, Goethe, and Swedenborg. ES's verifications of the reality of an afterlife are far superior to any evidence from NDEs or Christian apologetics. To understand why I can make such claims, take my challenge to read these 2 mind-blowing books:

(1) Wilson van Dusan, "The Presence of Other Worlds."
This book summarizes ES's spiritual insights and will probably be the most original book on spirituality you have ever read. But chap. 7 ("Minor Miracles") is by far the most intriguing chapter on afterlife evidence I have ever read. It's title makes me laugh because the paranormal experiences described are beyond awesome.

(2) Then read ES's most famous book "Heaven and Hell" [The Portable Edition]. The insights he shares are based not on speculation, but on many, many visits to the various heavens, hells, and intermediate spiritual realms.

DISCLAIMER: I am a retired pastor and ex-theology professor, who considers himself an evangelical Christian. In no way do I put ES on a par with the Bible. But if you want to be challenged by the most successful explorer of spiritual dimensions ever, ES is your man.

Thanks for the info! I will check those books out.

 

[TheOldWays]

read a bit and he makes good points. Love god and your neighbor pretty much somes up Christianity. Not of course as a whole, but as the end product. If you follow it right, your love of God and your neighbor (not literal neighbor) is an indicator.

 

[Albion]

Yes. There's a lot in ES's writings that's uplifting. It's just that it contradicts the Bible, to which ES says he alone was given to understand some "inner" meaning to each verse.

 

[FireDragon76]

It's complicated, but Swedenborg's POV is not well described by what you wrote here. He was profoundly Christian, not as it may seem, "all religions are true, etc.")

Yeah, that's my perception as well. He was perhaps not fully orthodox, but he was Christian. I am not an expert on him but he seems to fit the pattern of mystics coming out of Protestant countries, some of whom at times had heterodox viewpoints, rather than simply being a non-Christian.

 

[TheOldWays]

He kinda reminds me of Jakob Boehme. Another interesting protestant mystic.

 

[Albion]

I agree, FD. He was certainly a committed Christian. It's interesting that his views were unorthodox or heretical but in a striking way. For instance, with the Trinity. How many Unitarians or anti-Trinitarians today are thoroughly convinced that Jesus was God Almighty, as ES did?