What defines Swedenborgianism?

Origin and Historical Background

Emanuel Swedenborg (1688–1772), a Swedish scientist and philosopher, authored numerous theological works detailing his claimed revelations of the spiritual realm. Though initially trained as a scientist—contributing to fields such as metallurgy, anatomy, and mineralogy—he later turned his focus to theology around midlife. Swedenborg wrote extensively, most notably in “Arcana Coelestia” (or “Heavenly Secrets,” published 1749–1756) and “Heaven and Hell” (1758). His followers, often referred to as the “New Church” or Swedenborgians, consider his works a critical lens for understanding divine truth.

Swedenborg’s writings did not gain immediate widespread acceptance in his lifetime; they became more influential after his death, particularly in England and the United States. Today, the organized Swedenborgian denominations may vary in their adherence to his doctrines, but a common thread is the conviction that Swedenborg’s visionary experiences and interpretations of Scripture shed new light on the spiritual dimension.

Core Teachings

Swedenborgianism rests on several foundational ideas that differentiate it from more traditional theological frameworks:

1. Additional Revelation

Swedenborg’s followers hold that he received direct insight into the spiritual world through visions. These extra-biblical revelations, found in writings like “Arcana Coelestia” and “The Apocalypse Revealed,” are considered by adherents to clarify or expand scriptural understanding.

2. Concept of Correspondences

Swedenborg proposed that all things in the natural world correspond to spiritual realities. He believed that biblical statements often carry a hidden spiritual meaning. For instance, he taught that the narratives in the Old Testament also describe deeper, invisible truths about the soul and the afterlife.

3. Focus on Spiritual Regeneration

Emphasis is placed on personal transformation. Swedenborg taught that humanity grows spiritually by shunning evil and embracing love of God and neighbor—a theme he expounds on in “Heaven and Hell,” insisting that inward regeneration leads to heavenly living hereafter.

4. Heaven as a State of Being

Swedenborgian thought depicts heaven and hell not only as places but as states of the human heart. These states are believed to be formed by one’s love and habitual patterns of life. In “Heaven and Hell” §§2–3, Swedenborg underscores that the condition of one’s eternal dwelling depends on orientation toward divine love and truth.

Swedenborg’s Approach to Scripture

One hallmark of Swedenborgianism is a distinct hermeneutic that interprets Scripture through symbolic “correspondences.” While the Bible is regarded as inspired, Swedenborg’s visions led him to layer allegorical or spiritual interpretations on top of literal readings. In his view, biblical events often serve as metaphors for internal spiritual processes.

This method can be seen in his multi-volume “Arcana Coelestia,” in which the stories of Genesis and Exodus are dissected to uncover an alleged hidden spiritual narrative about the Lord’s work in human hearts. Swedenborg has been quoted as suggesting that many scriptural passages contain embedded references and applications to heavenly realities far beyond what might be read on the surface.

View of Christ and the Trinity

Swedenborg taught a unique understanding of God’s nature, proposing a unipersonal model that some interpret as folding the traditional three Persons into modes or aspects of the single Lord Jesus Christ. In “The Doctrine of the Lord,” he contended that the Father and Son are one Person, with the Holy Spirit proceeding as the Lord’s operative power in the world.

This stance contrasts with orthodoxy, where the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are affirmed as coequal, coeternal Persons within the one essence of God (cf. Matthew 28:19). Traditional Christian teachings uphold the full equality and distinct Personhood of each member of the Trinity, while Swedenborg’s writings recast those distinctions in more blended or functional terms.

Assessment from a Biblical Perspective

From a straightforward reading of Scripture, certain Swedenborgian positions raise concerns:

1. Authority of Additional Revelations

The biblical text consistently points to itself as a sufficient and complete basis for doctrine and life (cf. 2 Timothy 3:16–17). The claim that Swedenborg’s visionary revelations add indispensable interpretation for believers goes beyond the biblical canon, potentially conflicting with warnings against introducing new doctrines (Revelation 22:18).

2. Interpretation of the Trinity

The mainstream stance, grounded in passages such as Matthew 3:16–17, holds that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit share the same divine essence yet remain distinct Persons. Swedenborg’s blending of these Persons into one can be seen as diverging from 2 Corinthians 13:14, which highlights the cooperative fellowship of the Triune God.

3. Literal vs. Allegorical Reading of Scripture

While typology and symbolism certainly appear throughout the Bible, the Swedenborgian insistence on extensive hidden meaning—particularly in Old Testament narratives—risks overshadowing the plain sense of the text. Passages like Luke 24:27 do reveal how Christ is foreshadowed in various parts of Scripture; yet the extent of hidden “correspondences” championed by Swedenborg goes beyond classical biblical typology.

Points of Divergence

1. Salvation Emphasis

Traditional Christian teaching emphasizes the once-for-all atonement of Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection (Romans 10:9–10). Swedenborgian thought, while acknowledging Jesus’ divinity, places more emphasis on moral and spiritual growth, potentially diminishing the uniqueness of Christ’s substitutionary atonement.

2. View of Heaven and Hell

Classic Christian teaching maintains that heaven and hell are actual realms (Matthew 25:46). Swedenborgianism affirms a reality to these states but greatly stresses their formation by individuals’ inward dispositions rather than solely by judicial decisions of God.

3. Ecclesiastical Authority

Swedenborgians typically see their movement as a “New Church,” believing that older forms of the Church lost the pure truth. This contrasts with the historical continuity recognized in many Christian traditions tracing back to the apostolic era and grounded in the body of Christ universally (Ephesians 2:19–20).

Conclusion

Swedenborgianism, rooted in Emanuel Swedenborg’s spiritual visions and writings, underscores inner regeneration, the correspondence of earthly and heavenly realities, and a unified view of God. Its adherents use Swedenborg’s extensive writings as an interpretive key to the Bible, resulting in teachings and practices distinct from broader Christian orthodoxy. While the movement has gathered followers who value its emphasis on personal spiritual growth and love for neighbor, many Christian theologians raise concerns about scriptural authority, the nature of the Trinity, and the completeness of salvation as taught in historic creeds.

As with any doctrinal perspective, thorough study of the Scriptures is integral. Believers and inquirers can gauge Swedenborgian doctrines in light of core biblical truths—above all “that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures… He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3–4). Ultimately, Swedenborgianism remains a distinctive theological system, set apart primarily by its extra-biblical revelations and interpretive method, warranting careful comparison with the longstanding testimony of Scripture.