Rev. Dr. James Lawrence, dean of the Center for Swedenborgian Studies, pays tribute to the late Stephen Hawking by engaging the philosophical implications of his groundbreaking work in astrophysics in comparison to Swedenborg’s scientific as well as mystical insights. Click below for a printable PDF version of the text:...
Often contemporary debates on matters of religion, philosophy, and spirituality over-simplify both our questions and our answers. Do we have to choose between the interventionist god of theism and scientific materialism or pantheism in our quest to understand the nature of the Divine and humanity? Can either be reconciled with reason?...
In this message, Joy Barnitz engages the theme of changing seasons of time, and how they reflect our relationship with each other and the Divine. Click below for a printable PDF version of Joy’s sermon: “… And the World is About to Turn” Joy Barnitz earned a Master of Divinity...
“We are opened to the wisdom of the heart through knowing and experiencing that a relationship with our divine source is the pearl of great price!” – Rev. Susannah Currie Click below for an audio recording of Rev. Susannah’s Sermon: Gospel Readings: Matthew 7:6-8,13:45-46 Rev. Susannah Currie...
When Thoughts and Prayers Don’t Matter (and When They Do) -Rev. Thom Muller As you may suspect, the title of this piece is a reference to a debate, or maybe the better word is lamentation or outcry, that’s been a theme in both social media as well as...
January 29 marked the 330th anniversary of Emanuel Swedenborg’s birth (going by the Julian calendar anyway). In my particular denomination of Swedenborgianism, our celebrations of Swedenborg’s birthday are more muted than they once were – we rarely any longer sing, “To Swedenborg, Our Wondrous Seer” (a real song, sung to the...
The Gospel of John has been called the most mystical and esoteric of the books of the New Testament. This series of information and reflections, Rev. David Fekete explores the Gospel of John from the perspective of a seeker, contrasting how different traditions, including Swedenborgianism, have engaged the text. Click...
In this sermon, delivered at the Bridgewater New Church in Bridgewater, MA, Rev. Susannah Currie explores the issues regarding material and spiritual wealth, the reality of poverty, and how they intersect, through a Swedenborgian lens. Readings: Psalm 49 (https://newchristianbiblestudy.org/bible/king-james-version/psalms/49/) and Luke 18:18-25 (https://newchristianbiblestudy.org/bible/king-james-version/luke/18/) Click below for an...
In this sermon, the Rev. Hugh Odhner discusses some ways in which an exploration of the inner meaning of the Word can be deeply valuable and insightful as we contemplate the changing of seasons and times. Click below for a printable PDF version of Rev. Odhner’s sermon: A...
Advent is usually a time of anticipation of the light represented by the first coming of Christ. In this sermon, Rev. Michael Gladish explores the connection between the “first” Advent, and a Swedenborgian understanding of the second Coming of Christ, as it unfolds within us and the internal...
