The creation myth in the book of Genesis still confuses and challenges its readers in the 21st century. Rev. Junchol Lee of the San Francsico Swedenborgian Church examines this epic tale through the lens of Swedenborg’s mystical reading of Scripture. Readings: (click for links to texts) Genesis 1:26-28, John 10:31-39, Secrets of Heaven §8891 …
Audio-Sermon: “The Creation of Humankind” -Rev. Junchol Lee Read More »
In this sermon, Swedenborgian scholar and minister Rev. George F. Dole reflects on the inner meaning of the narrative of Christ’s entry into Jerusalem, celebrated on Palm Sunday. Click below for a printable PDF version of Rev. Dole’s sermon: Road to the Cross The Reverend George Dole has been a renowned scholar …
Off and on over the years I have gotten addicted to various puzzles, computer games, and the like. If you’re like me, I think you’ll find that you get particularly hooked when you feel that you almost have one solved, but not quite. I find myself saying, “I’ll try just one more thing, and …
Lenten Reflection: “Near, Oh So Near…” -Rev. Jonathan Mitchell Read More »
We are happy to announce a new ODB series: The “Service in Action” programming will keep you informed about ministries of service, compassion and justice within the Swedenborgian Church of North America and beyond. Stay tuned! “Feeling the joy of someone else as joy within ourselves – that is loving.” -Divine Love and …
In this Sermon, Rev. Junchol Lee, pastor at the San Francisco Swedenborgian Church, offers a Swedenborgian interpretation of the mythological second day of creation in the Book of Genesis. Knowing and learning is perhaps the most important activity for a human being for one’s survival, self-fulfillment, having and maintaining relationships, and ultimately spiritual cultivation. …
In this piece, Swedenborgian scholar and theologian Rev. George F. Dole explores the biblical epic of the relationship between the divine and the human, as understood through Swedenborg’s esoteric scriptural exegesis. Click below for a printable PDF version of Rev. Dole’s article: Divine Lockout – Rev. George F. Dole Rev. George Dole has been …
In this sermon, delivered at the Bridgewater New Jerusalem Church in Bridgewater, MA, Rev. Susannah Currie explores the theme of the New Jerusalem in the writings of Emanuel Swedenborg, and how we might realize it in the present moment. https://soundcloud.com/pastorsusannah/heavenly-community-on-earth
“Deep, unspeakable suffering may well be called a baptism, a regeneration, the initiation into a new state.”* -George Eliot (Mary Ann Evans), 1859 Christmas: Jesus is born to his father and mother; he begins as a member of a family. Eight days later, he is circumcised, and shortly after that he …
In this Sermon, delivered at the Lord’s New Church in Bryn Athyn, PA, Rev. Hugh Odhner invites us to reflect on the different kinds of anxiety we face in life, as we begin the new year. Click below for a printable PDF version of Rev. Odhner’s sermon: Be not Anxious – Yet be …
“Be Not Anxious – Yet Be Anxious!” -Rev. Hugh Odhner Read More »
In this message, delivered at the Swedenborgian Community Church at Hillside in El Cerrito, CA, Birrell Walsh, PhD, discusses Swedenborg’s use of a feminine image God in his work “Divine Love and Wisdom”. Click below for a printable PDF version of the message: The Creatress Birrel Walsh, PhD is a writer and scholar …
