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Amish, Hutterites and Mennonites : Living in the past

The history of the Anabaptist movement, persecuted and hated for decades, had not finished in the sixteenth century, there were many groups, as considered in the corresponding chapter, survived in small communities in Switzerland, Germany, Slovakia, Moravia and especially in Russia. Although already considered in an extensive chapter origins Anabaptist movement, now delve into the evolution of some religious groups have emerged from more direct sources. If someone wants it before knowing the origins of the Anabaptist movement can click here .

in Switzerland and Austria in the late seventeenth century, there would be further divisions within the Mennonite Anabaptists, due in part to the tightening of its rules and customs. A mid-century (between 1644 and 1656, according to different sources), born Jakob Amman, a Mennonite leader with strong convictions and strict character. Amman lived in the area of \u200b\u200bSainte-Marie-aux-Mines, Upper Alsace, until 1696. On 27 February of that year, he signed a petition against compulsory military service. He was probably the leader of that congregation and soon emerged as leader of the Mennonites of Switzerland

In 1693, Jakob Ammann dialectical clashed with some leading Swiss Mennonites, including Hans Reist and Benedict Schneider, who had lowered some standards related to the treatment of the expellees, all those who renounce their faith after baptism, according to custom Mennonite, should be rejected, no treatment was allowed, nor eat with the expelled, the situation was going to call meidung, which were remote for a while and were not accepted back unless they demonstrate long true repentance.
This lack of discipline was observed because they had softened the meidung time, in some cases not being applied, or as was a friend or family member was the person with more kindness. They had left at least this time, which from the point of view of Amman was inconceivable and undermined discipline and could mean the relaxation of the rules of purity they sought.

Furthermore Jakob Ammann, ceremonies instituted within Mennonite practice foot-washing in connection with communion, which had not been practiced by the Swiss Mennonites until then. This led to a division within the group to the extent that others considered to be deported to Amman and his followers.

Later, Jakob Amman to observe the rupture that had succeeded with his hardline stance, he wanted a reconciliation with his former colleagues, coming to offer their own position and step on him and his congregation at the situation to change meidung unit, but because there was no agreement, was formed to continuing its work and hold together with those remaining. They considered themselves Mennonites, but the others were called amanita or Amish, but they would not recognize that title and saw themselves as the Swiss Brethren, soon progressed and were thousands who joined the movement.

In 1710, things had become very difficult in Switzerland, Austria and Germany, so many Mennonite communities were moving north, reaching Moravia. While the followers of Amman decided to head to distant lands and many began to travel to America. Their leader, Jakob Amman, moved up there with hundreds of Amish settling in the land the Quaker William Penn, had succeeded in southern New Jersey, which is now known as the state of Pennsylvania. There were well received and settled, but without mixing with others, formed their own communities, kept their language and customs, but suffered no pressure, or difficulty.

The memory of the harsh persecution suffered and of their strict anti-militarism is maintained until today, when many Amish communities, deny certain outfits, like the mustache, because he had the soldiers of the time, or the use of buttons in others, for the same reason. From the time of the bloody persecution and to avoid imitating the opulence of the great religions, avoid the construction of temples or churches, which typically meet in homes or adjoining rooms, prepared for this, but without any kind of ostentation.

Over time they arrived most Amish in Pennsylvania and Kansas, and this had led to different scattered groups or communities who were called Ordnung, led by a body of elders, who established the various standards or guidelines to follow, but no definitive hierarchical system and general government between the Ordnung, so there is little connection between them. This has led to substantial differences, though not in doctrine, if accepted norms and customs between different Ordnung.

But the rift with his former colleagues, and the effort to remain intact and without outside influence, was a struggle that had for decades, as many Amish began to have a relationship with Baptists, Methodists, Quakers and others who had settled there. Later arrival of Mennonites fleeing Europe also meant another influence that was changing the traditional lifestyle of the Amish, many left the communal life and joined the Mennonites on the other side were also approaching Pentecostal influences positions were emerging within Methodism.

Therefore, from the sixties of the nineteenth century, a general conference of the Amish communities, decided to establish a strict separation and isolation, which made them away from using modern ways and new technologies were emerging, which has meant that today the common vision we have of them. Some communities living in the past, without making use of modern transportation, and modern techniques for cultivation of the field, in some cases rejecting the electricity, the costumes of centuries past and anchored in a system life times away from current.

Living together does not preclude you have made many, but not because they preach or convert to other, that was one of the first customs abandoned by the Amish, they prevailed their struggle to maintain the purity and therefore avoided introducing members from other nations or races, and thus, do not proselytize. But often their families are large and growth has been great, but this has given rise to problems of mixing between close relatives, bringing numerous birth defects, consanguineous marriages.

The practice of voluntary adult baptism, remains the basic rule of the Amish, in fact there is a period of time that young age to decide for baptism, they may choose. It's known for rumspringa , derived from the German term in Pennsylvania for "chase" or jumping. This is a period in adolescence of some members of the Amish, which begins around the age of sixteen and ends when the couple decides their baptism into the Amish church or choose to leave the community. Some choose to mingle with their neighbors that are common to the English calling on cities, drink alcohol, in some cases practice premarital sex, drugs and other things common in young worldly.

However, there is an obligation, nor is an invitation to hac the rumspringa er is simply a personal decision that many parents suffer when their children reach that age. But note that in most cases, these young people return to their community and accept baptism, integrating back into their group. Few definitely leave the simple life of the commune.

That despite the proven life in their communities, where there are no diversions of the big cities where restrictions are placed on even the physical appearance presented because they believe that any member who displays considerable interest in the mundane appearance is in danger, then that interest should concentrate on spiritual matters rather than physical. For this often quoted from the Scriptures, when they say in 1 Samuel 16:7: "J ehová said to Samuel, 'Do not look at his appearance or his height above .... The mere man sees what appears to eyes, but as for Jehovah, he sees what the heart. also cite Paul's letter: I want women to adorn themselves in neat dress, with modesty and wisdom, not with braided hair styles and gold or pearls or costly attire. " (1 Timothy 2:9.)

can not be doubt that the Amish have taken to the extreme ideas of Menno Simons and Jakob Hutter, but have come to today, after centuries of maintaining high standards and strict moral and mental cleansing. Its simplicity denote villages as the Christians had understood the first time. So at home, do not use light bulbs, but oil lamps, instead of cars, using a horse-drawn carriages, and instead of running water, a well and a windmill. Also often have no television, no radio, sing themselves, but until there are communities where the song is prohibited. No mobile phones, let alone computers. But that decision

to maintain an isolated life, also affected other groups of Mennonites, who still retain their identity, were isolated and formed communities in South America, imitating the simple life of the Amish.

The arrival of the Mennonites to America occurred several decades after the Amish. Russia had taken in the late eighteenth century, many communities, especially Hutterites, Mennonites and later on, that especially in Ukraine, there had been numerous. While in Slovakia the Thirty Years War between Protestants and Catholics, Hutterites decimated communities that could not escape, especially for his efforts to maintain neutrality, were massacred from one side as another. Some fled to Hungary, but as the area was won by the Catholics, many Hutterites, were forced to convert to Catholicism, but it was apparent conversion, they were known as the habans. The Habans were a group of about 230 Hutterites who ceded to the forcible conversion in order to stay on their land and not be bothered.

This name comes from the Hebrew word aha-banim a term used to children, but it also corresponds with the German title Die Haushaben , referring to the tenants of community houses. The main reason why they succeeded was staying and was tolerated in their abilities and diligence in many domains. Rxcelentes they became artisans, artists, therefore, doctors and the lords were happy to use their services. During the seventeenth century the renewed vigor of Roman Catholicism, who distrusted the apparent conversion of these, forced the Moravians Habans groups, seek peace offered by the tolerant Hungary and others crossed into Transylvania.

The community, which was composed mainly of artisans, was famous for its pottery. The shape and decoration of glazed ceramics from the Habans (jars, jugs, plates, bowls, tiles, and even small barrels) had at first Tyrolean and Italian influences, but then developed his own style. Some, mainly from Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands and settled in southern Moravia and western Slovakia territory. But they became over time, rather than a religion, in a community or tribe. They maintained their traditions and customs, however well into the nineteenth century, but were absorbed by society. Unlike

way had to follow those who refused to compromise their ideas, and after wandering like nomads from one place to another, forced by religious hatred in 1788 at the invitation of Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia, groups Mennonite farmers of Prussia, emigrated to Ukraine in southern Russia. Finally found peace in Ukraine, where they arrived at the beginning just Hutterites, Mennonites but also later. And if the latter lived in cities, drew more attention, which brought them problems.

The Mennonites and Hutterites situation in Ukraine, however, was for several decades and a century of some prosperity, this was to grow to become several hundred thousand. But mid-nineteenth century, changes in Russian laws, put them back in the spotlight. Established the compulsory military service as the pacifism of these made him reject all violence and use of weapons, placed them in the point targeted by the Russian authorities, who soon became the target of threats and persecution for the cause.

why the flight of most of the members of the community was swift. In the case of the Hutterites is said to have sent scouts to North America in 1873, along with a Mennonite delegation. Later another mass migration occurred from 1874 to 1879 when about 18,000 Hutterites came to the New World in response to the new law on military service in Russia. Among them were Schmiedeleut, Dariusleut and Lehrerleut, leut, names based on Hutterite leaders who run these communities. All of these were initially set in the Dakota Territory, then colonies Dariusleut moved to central Montana.


The community collaborates in the construction of houses and barns, part of the collaboration that holds the Amish.





In this case, each group reestablished the traditional Hutterite communal lifestyle, though not as extreme as the Amish, as these if they accept the electricity and motor locomotion, but they are simple and extreme life , for example, reject the use of photographs consider idolatry. They call themselves brothers Hutterites, established in communities in England, Western Canada, and South Dakota, USA.
The most widespread
however has become that of the Mennonites, but has evolved and there is some confusion on the ownership of the name by certain evangelical churches in recent times.

pure Mennonites still living in communes and villages of their own, or in small towns in different countries. Practice like the Amish, an austere and simple life, but do not reach the ends of these in relation to contact with the outside or the use of modernity, in some cases if they use certain technology. Almost everything we consume is produced Mennonites themselves, but sell the surplus in foreign markets, earning substantial revenues. In communities Mennonites, depending on age and sex roles are well defined and all part of the production processes and missions of the Church. They have their own education to teach in old German, which is the language they use to communicate. Each family pays a fee to send their children to school during seasons that do not help in the field.

The cultural isolation of the Mennonite communities is based on a rejection of the concept of nation in an unqualified criticism against war and military service. According to a report published in early 2007 by the Mennonite World Conference, there are approximately 1,480,000 members worldwide, distributed in 82 countries. It must be remembered These statistics do not include children, but only baptized adult members. While those figures have different branches of Mennonites with little in common.

In the first time, the Mennonites were located mainly in the Northern Hemisphere in Europe, where their number has been reduced dramatically in North America, but in recent decades have seen a remarkable growth in other continents, and the early years of Century XXI only 37% live in Europe and North America. There are more Mennonites in Africa than in any other continent.

Since the late eighteenth century, there were divisions within the Anabaptists Mennonites, especially in 1778 when he founded the group known as the Brethren in Christ or River Brethren, which subsequently led to other groups with clear approach to the evangelists and in some cases have appropriated the name Mennonite, without nothing in common with them, subject to certain doctrines and adult baptism.

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Swedenborgians: General Church of New Jerusalem

"Judgement," engraving by William Blake

One of the most ardent supporters of the ideas of Swedenborg, was the English poet and painter William Blake, born in 1757 , when the visionary scientist, had 69, but still had 20 years to live. It is therefore somewhat mysterious relationship with this young painter, who also claims to have had visions and dreams, then usher in drawings and prints of incredible artistic quality.

Blake, came from a family of so-called dissenters, the name given in England to all dissident Anglican church. In fact, his mother, the former husband of it, belonged to the United Fratum or Moravian Brethren, and it is quite possible that her second husband also belonged to that church. William received the education that was consistent with his doctrine, which is not known is how he came into contact with the writings of Swedenborg, you may out through some meetings that some of his early followers remained in London since 1783. Through a writer named William Sharp, with whom she had a close friendship and working partnership, the group presented the study of the works of Swedenborg, among whom was Philip de Loutherbourg, Richard Cosway, John Flaxman and another close friend of Blake.

From this small study group was established over time, what would be called The Church of New Jerusalem. It is considered the year 1787, as an officer for the establishment of the new religion, fifteen years after Swedenborg's death, but in reality, as saw the seeds were those meetings were the work of Swedenborg the basis of his study, without giving up their religions of origin. But since 1787, he realized how distant were the teachings of Emanuel, so they decided to form separate from its previous practice of religion. This new religious movement proposed that a new revelation was about to replace the corrupt beliefs perpetuated by earlier Christian churches. While Swedenborg

not intend to found a new church, but looked in his writings the idea that a new would have to come, according to their calculations during the human epoch on earth had been several stages where a church was replaced by corruption and pollution of their beliefs and doctrines. Thus, he stated that existed in the beginning, the Adamite, then Noah, the Jewish and the Christian Church. According to Swedenborg told the Christian Church was coming to an end, and according to his followers, with William Blake in the lead, thought that this gap would be covered by the Church of New Jerusalem.

Although not directly attributable to Blake the establishment of the new to church, was one of its main proponents, is known for an important meeting on April 14, 1789, where Blake and his wife Catherine participated that was the First Conference General of the New Jerusalem Church, held in a local East End of London and lasted for four days.
Often the works of Blake, referring to spiritual reasons, very close to the images transmitted Swedenborg in his alleged angelic and heavenly visions. On the other hand there were many interested in contact with the spirits, and some founders of the so-called Theosophy, which were also interested in the writings of Swedenborg, but they rather hurt the progress of swendenborgianos true, for because of these often Spiritualists were charged by his detractors, some also relate to the Masonic lodges, which also found interesting writings of the visionary scientist.

William Blake, poet and painter, and one of the originators of the movement called the New Jerusalem Church of

Basically the doctrinal line of the new movement had the following arguments:
"He rejects the creation of nothing human, although it rejects pantheism, the world derives its being from God by contiguity, not continuity.
"The theory of correspondences. The images from the physical to spiritual and physical world of animated things, reflect or correspond to moral and spiritual qualities or ideas.
-Interpretation spirit of the Bible. Based on the correspondence theory, where Swedenborg argued that all Scripture has a literal and spiritual meaning, and claimed that his special mission to reveal the true spiritual meaning of Scripture. For swendenborgianos them, try to give a symbolic interpretation of the Bible.
-A reinterpretation of the doctrine of the Trinity and the Trinity is not three, but three essential principles. Father innermost principle, the ineffable love of God, the Son as the divine wisdom and the Holy Spirit as the divine power. But in reality, are only the beginning of the same divine person, Jesus Christ himself, the understand and take it directly as God.
-Rejection of rescue and teaching the theory of atonement. Thus the death of Christ is a sacrifice to make satisfaction for divine justice, but a triumph over temptation and spiritual evil example of the reconciling power of God by which all men can overcome evil.
-Absolute freedom of personal will in spiritual matters. No one is predetermined to be saved or go to the heavenly life, but each chooses in the land.
-Salvation by faith plus works. Although God is the ultimate source of all the merits and good works, man must choose between cooperating with the power of love and seek God and spiritual health reform through a life of doing good.
-election of all between heaven and hell in the intermediate and transient which is the land, there is a purpose of future life on earth, not the end of the world.
-The continuation of life in the sky, including marital life, the true conjugal love lives in heaven.
"Spiritual realization of the Second Coming and the Last Judgement in 1757, when it is supposed that the doctrine of the New Jerusalem Church was formed. Although this as a church did not become established until decades later. Although Swedenborg actually not see it that way, the thought and spoke of a future distant. In any case members of the General Church of New Jerusalem, awaiting the day that the elimination of all religions today, leaving only the true church, to make way for a new stage.
"Besides not speak of resurrection in the flesh, but always spiritual, but the situation is elected much like a perfect society on earth with beautiful palaces, ideal temperatures, lack of disease, etc.. The liturgy in their churches is based on that of the Anglicans, with reverends, bishops, etc. ..

never have accepted Swedenborgians name, but it is inevitable that identify themselves as such.
The movement came to America in 1784 by James Glen, who is on his way to British Guyana, he stopped in Philadelphia, where he preached the new teaching. A major shipment of Swedenborg's books addressed to him arrived shortly after he was gone and they were sold by auction. Soon, a group of readers was formed in Philadelphia around the family of Francis Bayley, who became the first editor of Swedenborg's Scripture in Latin. In 1792 a society was organized in Baltimore and reorganized by the Rev. John Hargrove in 1798.

albeit slowly due in part to the above reasons, the church was extended by several European countries, even went to African and American land, but in Sweden, a country of origin of Swedenborg, the movement was severely persecuted until the year 1875.
In 1876, at the initiative of a large group of intellectuals who were attracted to the ideas of the visionary scientist, established a teaching academy, where in addition to publicize, translate the writings, secular education for members, ministers are prepared to to become preachers of the New Church.

The problem arose when I had to decide which text had more weight, or the Holy Scriptures, with a story line, which until that time little understood and is needed to understand or " True Christian Religion, "indicating a new path, taking some things and rejecting others.
Or the Bible, reinterpreted, as symbolism, or explanations of " Heaven and Hell "taken literally as an absolute reality eyewitness.
Or the New Testament, which speaks not to add or remove anything, or seek contacts with the Spirits (Galatians 1:6-9) or the "Arcana Caelestia " with its theory of correspondences, longing for a new revelation and open contact with spiritual beings.

In 1890 came a break at the very heart of the Academy, with regard to baptism, consideration as inspired writings of Swedenborg's books and how to lead the new church, a movement that came up today has been the strongest of those arising from the swendenborgianos. So for 1897 under the leadership of Rev. WF Pendleton, formed a new church body that adopted the legal name of General Church of New Jerusalem, is still referred to his organization as "the New Church or the General Church. This led to a new community in Pennsylvania, where more than three thousand people joined the new movement.

Due to the zeal of their leaders and the generous support of leading church members, the Academy grew. Today this includes high school for boys and girls, a primary school and a theological school that trains ministers from every continent and a graduate program in religious studies. During the past decades, the Academy family, including Bryn Athyn College in Pennsylvania as the Academy of the New Church Theological School, has helped turn the movement into a global community. Students from around the world have come to Bryn Athyn to study the arts and sciences in the light of New Church teachings and of course following Swedenborg's texts as sacred.

The church now has a presence in more countries in the world, including Brazil, Japan, Korea, China, Ghana, Kenya, Ivory Coast Russia, Spain and Czech Republic. Where efforts are aimed at translating the Scriptures of Swedenborg in several other languages \u200b\u200blike English, French, Russian, Chinese, Korean, and Zulu. At the same time, new centers for theological education are being established worldwide. In South Africa the increase has been greater, it is believed that more than half of all members residing there.

Famous writers and philosophers of the world have expressed their fascination with the writings of Swedenborg, including the famous deaf-blind lecturer, Helen Keller, who said, in tribute to the work of Swedish scientist: "True Christianity still flooded the world as the ocean, that overwhelm, submerge and regenerate mankind. No barrier built warships, troops and fortifications remain in bringing these mighty waters. "It was and a recognition of the prophecies of the Swedish lit, with respect to the advent of the new religion, though some say it is already here.

Another striking support came from the famous Argentine writer Jorge Luis Borges, who often wrote and lectured praising the work of Swedenborg. Borges A striking comment about the figure of Swedenborg was: Emanuel Swedenborg If it had intended to cheat, there would resorted to the anonymous publication of much of his work, as it did in the nine volumes of his Arcana Caelestia, who renounce the authority under a name already distinguished. We know that the dialogue did not seek to proselytize. In the manner of Emerson and Walt Whitman, he believed that the arguments do not persuade anyone and simply stating a truth that will enable partners to accept it. Always shied away from controversy. In his entire work does not find a single syllogism, there is but smooth and quiet claims. I refer, of course, his mystical treatises ...... I have it for me stating that the opinion is certainly unorthodox, a mere man of letters, not a researcher or a theologian Swedenborg, like Spinoza or Francis Bacon, was a thinker on their own (in His own right) who made an awkward mistake when he decided to bring their ideas to the framework of the two Testaments. The same thing had happened to the Jewish Kabbalists, which essentially were Neoplatonists when invoked the authority of the verses, words and even letters and transpositions of letters, from Genesis to justify the system.

This contradiction shows that all are in the person of Emanuel Swedenborg, first praising his way of explaining things, to express their ideas, but also wary of him, for his audacity to present himself as a lighted was privileged to communicate with angels and yet never wanted to become enlightened leader of a group of followers, but their knowledge, even putting everything in writing as stated as being that of a treaty or thesis research. The comparison with the Kabbalists, to give each word to a symbolic interpretation of the Old Testament have anything to do with the method of Swedenborg, to give symbolic to all parts of the Bible that contradict its principles, to make them consistent with these.

Many others have used the beliefs of Swedenborg, but no mention, even some of the new modern religions have taken at face value scientific explanations Swedish about life on other worlds, the theory of correspondences and other beliefs semiesotericas and have taken over.

other hand, has nothing to do with the swendenborgianos, the New Jerusalem Church of Atlanta, an evangelist church seal. Nor is there the call in a Swedenborgian Rite Masonic lodge, it means that this would end. Neither that theosophy, and anthroposophy scientism, citing some ideas of this or drink from his writings misrepresenting the substance and content of your household, this means that they originate from Swedenborg. But the fact is that it itself is attributed to divine inspiration in his writings, sooner or later get mimic many other inspirations and methods.

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Emanuel Swedenborg: Visionary scientists to

In the eighteenth century, science began slowly to move away from religion, although few scientists at the time were considered atheists, and those who were, were motivated more by influence of the philosophy of the so-called enlightenment, with Diderot as a major thinker, or the so-called determinism, driven by Laplace. But it was not for the fact that men of science, which was considered more as a source of admiration and demonstration of God's creation.

We have already considered, however, as some scientists, mathematicians or astronomers, if they had something Common, who were critical of the provisions of the Churches of his time, as the issue of land as the center of the universe, and beyond that time, but which cost the lives of more than one and also I had to do with nature of God that made them reject scientific reason to be part of a trinity as inexplicable and illogical. We saw the case of Servetus, who killed him and Newton, who could survive his ideas remained hidden because the inquisitors.

In 1688, while Newton was appointed to the Royal Society, was born in Sweden, Emmanuel Swendenborg, an astronomer, discoverer, inventor and mathematician, scientist, While not as well known by the society, in its day was a prodigious mind, but not only in science but in religion.

of religious heritage, the son of Sarah and Jesper Swedberg, Lutheran pastor and well related to Swedish royalty, his father would become Bishop of Skara.
From his earliest years, show an unusual interest in how things work, interested in everything that relates to the universe and man, watched the mechanisms, forces and influences that govern life and how they operate, they say that some of its major objectives was to understand the seat of the soul, and as you run the body, issues or los mejores teólogos podían responder.

Con el tiempo fue enviado a estudiar a las más prestigiosas escuelas y universidades de Europa, entre ellas Oxford y Cambridge, de esa manera obtuvo el doctorado en Filosofía en 1709 y se dedicó a una de sus pasiones, las ciencias puras. Algunos tratan de relacionarlo con Isaac Newton, diciendo que el influyó en el prestigioso científico, pero no hay pruebas de que hayan coincidido, ni siquiera en la universidad de Cambridge donde para el tiempo en el que Swendenborg fue estudiante, hacía años que Newton había abandonado la cátedra de matemáticas y actuaba como presidente de la Royal Society.

Al regresar a Suecia en 1715, ya era un científico reputation, the following year began publishing the magazine called The Hyperborean Daedalus, Daedalus North or in which he demonstrated his skills as a researcher and popularizer. Although personally, I had no talent for speaking eloquently, because of a marked stutter, which made him refuse the offer to be appointed Professor of Mathematics at the University of Uppsala.



di flying machines theoretically by Swendenborg Senate --->



However, since that time, had demonstrated a knowledge and an ability to explain, in writing, all discoveries and mechanical inventions, including that of a type of aircraft, more like the zeppelins of the early twentieth century and one of the artifact to investigate the deep ocean, inventions known however that did not go beyond the theoretical.

Since then turns in different sciences, first of astronomy, for it tried to convince King Charles XII, along with another inventor friend Christopher Polhem to fund an astronomical observatory in northern Sweden, which in the long dark winters were ideal for observing the stars that never were hiding. But since the king was more interested in military matters, that project was unsuccessful, but Emanuel was appointed Engineer mines in the state, given his knowledge of minerals and geology.

the death of Charles XII, the current Queen Ulrika Eleonora of Sweden, was named favorite son, which at that time meant to be admitted to the royal family, with the consequent change of name, then to be passed Emanuel Swedberg, a Emanuel Swedenborg, the royal name.

During the following years, his interest in the question that haunted him since childhood made him approach the study of anatomy and especially the functioning of vital organs, heart, lungs, and brain. As did Servet, wrote and theorized about the cardiovascular circulation and the close relationship between the lungs and heart. He also wrote on the role of the endocrine glands, brain function and cerebellum, but always in search of self, or the place where he believed the soul was staying.

But it was from 1730 at 42, when he became interested in theology, perhaps in order to understand the creative process and how the matter could be turned into life for the operator. It was at that time in 1734 when he wrote his book "Philosophical and Mineralogical Works." In the first volume called "Principia", trying to combine science and theology, to relate the geometry as a means by which they can know the internal order of the world, and the power of reason, argued that the activity is the key concept for understanding the three kingdoms of nature, animal, vegetable and mineral.
In his explanation of how Newtonian mentioned that all material substances, energy fields emanating explains interact with matter around them. In their studies found this a universe always active, especially when investigated on magnetism, crystallography, phosphorescence and metallurgy, in all of these saw the moving force, which he calls energy spheres. He thought that the spiritual realm also could be explained in the same way in humans. In this treaty also presented his cosmology, which included the first presentation of a hazy sky.

In 1735 published a small manuscript called "Infinity" where he tried to explain how the finite is related to the infinite, and as the soul joins the body. This was the first manuscript which spoke out on profound theological issues. He knew this would conflict with the established theologies, since he has an idea of \u200b\u200bthe soul based on material substances.

But a radical change in your life, would take place on April 6, 1744, touching the 56-year-old when he started under, to undergo a series of extraordinary visions. On his frequent trips, he used to write a diary, and he did on that trip to the Netherlands in the spring, where he started having these strange dreams
" One day I ap Arecio a magnificent temple square, the roof of which was shaped like a crown, arched top and raised all around, the walls had a series of glass windows, their doors were of a substance like pearl. E n the inside, to south, tilted to the west, was a pulpit, on whose right side was open the Word surrounded by a blaze of light that illuminated the entire pulpit. In the center of the temple was a shrine, before which he had a veil lifted at that time, and it cherubim of gold, standing with a sword in his hand, which turned to the right and left. Then when I came, I saw this inscription over the door: "NUNC Liceta." (Now allowed), which means it is now allowed to enter, ie "understand" the mysteries of faith. After this I saw something on my head as an infant, he had in his hand a paper. When he approached me, his stature grew as a man of medium size. She was an angel of the third heaven, where all seem remote infants. When he reached me, gave me the role, but as the writing was on round letters, as was done in that sky, I returned the paper, and asked me to explain the meaning of words written on it in terms appropriate to ideas I thought. replied: "This is what is written here." Hereafter enters into the mysteries of the P WORDS, which has been closed until today, because the truths which it contains are all mirrors of the Lord '... ". (L a True Christian Religion ". 508, paras 1.3 & 6.)


very detailed description of those dreams that Swendenborg put in writing their books to which he devoted all his time since then, going beyond all prophetic vision of the biblical writers. On the other hand, the resiliency of these visions, and the fact that this is not a person of low culture, inventing stories inconsistent, full of contradictions, caused many have paid attention to their stories. Of course, in these alleged visions are reminiscent of many Bible stories and personal interpretations of the views or biblical symbols.

to Swedenborg, all those dreams and visions he had, was there evidence that been appointed by God to write a clarifying doctrine to reform Christianity, which had strayed from his true teaching. He claimed that God had opened his eyes, made him see and visit heaven and hell, in fact one of his major works was "On Heaven and its wonders and On Fire." However

did not rush to write down everything he saw in these alleged visions, because for some years after the visions and dreams, he studied Hebrew and Greek, read the Bible to the full continuum, making a detailed study verse by verse and so for several years. It was not until 1747, when he undertook the work put in writing their works exhibition. The first appeared in 1749 under the title: Celestial Arcana . Moreover, all his works appeared in the scientific and technical language of the time, Latin. In some cases, even included his name in these works, which indicated that it wanted to run as leader of a movement in search of followers, to not give importance to himself, though often h ablaba of their experiences in surrounding environment.




not wanted to organize any new religious group, but sought to reform some doctrines and polish some beliefs, giving them a more rational explanation and logic.
Regardless of whether or not actually written what he saw in his dreams or add much of his own, perhaps because of his great interest in the theological, the case is that all this inspired him to devote his life fully to publicize new spiritual light as he received.

His attempt to explain what led to scientific explanations for religious concepts such as soul, resurrection, life in heaven, hell and other religious traditions common to the Lutheran environment of their land. Attempted to reconcile the biblical resurrection with the idea of \u200b\u200ban immortal soul, and wrote:
"The spirit of man remains in the body some time after separation, but only until the cessation of heart function, which is verified cessation by state variation of the disease which killed the man because the continuous movement of the heart in some long time people in other less long, as soon as this movement ceases, the man rises again, but this is only the Lord does. For output means resurrection of the spirit 'of man from his body, and its introduction into the spiritual world, which is generally called resurrection, the reason why the spirit of man is not separated from the body until all movement has ceased heart, is that the heart corresponds to the slope which belongs to love, and life of man, for the love each have their vital heat, so long as that combination, there is correspondence and consequently to the spiritual life in the body. (Heaven and its wonders, Hell and heard things 46:447)
According
, Swedenborg, when people are resurrected and destined to live a heavenly life, they become angels, meaning that all angels really come from humans. He dared to show that no one from the time of the Gnostics, had tried on three heavens, perhaps referring and interpreting this third heaven mentioned by the apostle Paul (2 Corinthians 2:12). The giving goes further amazing details about these different skies, with categories of angels in each of them, we also talk about different kinds of angels, male and female angels, even angels marriage.

Thus, on the latter tries to explain the differences between male and female angels, the same differences between men and women, concepts such as thinking men and women the will and describes the differences between angels with different inclinations:
Celestial marriage is the union of two minds to form a single mind. I will say first that the nature of this union. The mind consists of two parts, of which one called the understanding and the other will. When these two act as one, forming one mind. The husband makes it the understanding and the woman's will. When this union, which comes from the inside, fell in external things, which are the body, allowed to see and feel love. This spousal love is love and therefore clear that married love is born from the union of two minds, making them one mind. This is called cohabitation in the sky and say they are one and not two, so that spouses in the sky are called an An gel and not two angels. (Heaven and its wonders, Hell and heard things 40:367)

dare to speak to the language of angels: The angelic language has nothing in common with human languages, with the exception of some words that sound a certain inclination, but not to the words themselves but with the sound of them, on whose owners will say something in what follows. The angelic language has nothing in common with human languages \u200b\u200bis evident from this that the angels can not utter a single word of human language, have tried but have failed because they can not pronounce more than they agree with his inclination, you agree not repugnant to his own life, because life is lean, and this is his speech. I have been told that the first language of men on earth was consistent, because they had the sky, and the Hebrew language is consistent with some things. (Heaven and its wonders, Hell and Heaven heard things 27:237)

Actually the idea of \u200b\u200bSwedenborg, was that the land was part of a process whose purpose was to fill the sky creatures and the earth, or he believed it, all the planets inhabited farm served as beings who later became angels. Thus the purpose of God to the earth, and goal of all intelligent beings, was the spiritual life, the path to be followed by every man and woman that God will accept qualified. It's worth reading his theories about the vastness of the sky, life on other worlds and their purpose:
- How vast is the heaven of the Lord may also reflect the fact that all the planets we see with our eyes on our world solar, are land and besides them there in the universe countless others, all full of people, of which planets have been spoken, especially in a small work that is this land, from which I quote as follows: "In the afterlife is well known that there are several land and these men, and from these, spirits and angels, for there, to all who wish for the love of truth and therefore the utility is allowed to talk to spirits of other lands in order to convince the plurality of worlds and learn that mankind does not come from one land but many lands. I have spoken several times with the spirits of our land on this issue, and said that the man who has a good understanding can by several things, known to him, knowing that there are several lands and in them men because they can rationally conclude that such large masses such as planets, some of which exceed in size to the land, there are masses deserted, created merely for turning back and forth around the sun and shine with their low brightness for a single ground: their use and enjoyment should be more important than this. He who believes, as we all must believe, that the Divine created the universe for the sole purpose of enabling the existence of mankind and therefore the sky, because the human race is the seminary of heaven, can not help but believe that men exist wherever there is a land. It may be clear that the planets, we see with our eyes fall within the limits of our solar world are lands, because they are bodies terrestrial matter that reflect sunlight, and observed through a telescope like the stars do not appear , gleamed like fire, but as land composed of several dark matter, and that gravitate around the sun and tread the path of the zodiac in the same way that our land, thereby determining the years and seasons of the year, which are spring, summer, autumn and winter, and also because they turn on their axes in a similar manner to our land, and causing the days and divisions of the day, which are morning, midday, afternoon and night, also because some of them have moons which are called satellites revolve around their world in a certain time, like the moon around us, and because the planet Saturn, which is as far away the sun, has a large circle and light, which gives the land a lot of light but reflected. Who, knowing these things and thinking rationally, can ever believe that these are bodies deserts? I've also spoken to the particular spirits that men may believe that the universe has more than a land, whereas the sky of stars is so immense and so many stars are there, which each in its place or in their world is a sun like our sun, of various magnitudes. Properly reflects who comes to the conclusion that all this, so immense, can not stop being a means to some end to be the final object of creation, and that is intended in the heavenly realm in which Divinity can live with the angels and men, for the visible universe or heaven countless bright stars, which are so many suns, is simply a means of land and there in these men, which is the celestial kingdom. So the wise man can not but think that this means so great a weekend as important, has not been created for the human race in one land. What would this mean for the divinity that is infinite, and for which thousands and even myriads of land, all full of people, just be something? There are spirits whose constant effort is to acquire knowledge, as only it is pleased. To these spirits is therefore allowed to drive everywhere and moving out of other solar world to acquire knowledge. They say that not only in this world is solar lands where people live, but also outside it in the sky of stars there are huge numbers of them. These spirits are the planet Mercury. It has made the calculation that if the universe had 1,000,000 of land in each land and if the number of men were 300,000,000 or three hundred million and 200 generations in 6000 years, and if each man or spirit we grant an area of three cubic yards, the number of so many men 6 spirits comprendidos en una suma total, no ocuparía, sin embargo, el espacio que ocupa esta tierra, y apenas más que el espacio que ocupa un solo satélite, que gravita alrededor de los planetas; cuyo espacio en el universo sería pequeñísimo, casi invisible, porque los satélites aparecen difícilmente delante de la simple vista. ¿Qué sería esto para el Creador del Universo?—para el cual no sería bastante sí el universo entero fuese lleno; porque Él es infinito. De estas cosas he hablado con los ángeles, quienes han dicho que ellos tienen igual idea de la escasez del género humano comparado con la infinidad del Creador, pero que ellos, sin embargo, piensan desde el punto de vista de estados and no spaces, and according to its ideas imaginable as many myriads of land would be absolutely nothing compared to the Lord. " (Heaven and its wonders, Hell and heard things 43:415-417)
At the last meeting, but shows great conocmiento on astronomy, makes several errors, perhaps because of ignorance at the time, about life on some planets, which today has proved viable for life, but no less interesting his theory about the possibility of habitable planets circling other stars.

But that, to attribute the information to angelic inspiration, saying an angel to tell him and explain all that, throws into question the inspiration, as it was wrong or the angel, speaking inhabitants of Mercury and other planets in our system, or was it personal addition, which makes it difficult to distinguish which was inspired and no.

In any case it is interesting the arguments and logic of their explanations, although inherently part of an idea rooted in religious beliefs, like the idea of \u200b\u200ban immortal soul, or the existence of hell. Why do not expose it as other theologians, as his own? While accepting the existence of hell, in fact claims to have visited too, but unlike Christianity, which paints a place of torment and suffering inflicted by the demons, who exercise the government in this dark place, in reality everything is governed by God and put in place with a specific purpose. Broadly speaking

he explains that there are three positions or places, heaven, home in their respective categories of angels, then talks about the spirit realm, which includes land and other inhabited planets, and the lower which corresponds to the underworld, where there are categories.

Swedenborg speaks of hell in almost symbolic terms, while recognizing this as a place in a position away spiritual light and knowledge about the highest parts of heaven, suffering or punishment cases, like fire, the gnashing of teeth, but rather explains how the fire of anger, hatred, envy and other qualities of those who live there. But dare to make a vivid description of that place:
-also has been allowed me to look into hell and see how they are inside, because when the Lord pleases, a spirit or an angel who is above can with the view to penetrate into the lowest, and see distinctly as they are, despite the tightness of confinement. In this way I have been permitted to me too look into them. Some of hell had the appearance of caverns and caves in rocks, extending inland, and from there down also obliquely or perpendicularly. Other hell had the appearance of caves and dens like wild beasts in the jungle, some seemed to underground vaults, like those in the mines, ending in caves at the bottom. Most of Hell are triple superiors alike in black inner darkness, and found those who are there at the falseness of evil, the lower, however, seem embraced by fire, found those who live there in same evils, is that the black darkness correspond to the lies of evil, and fire the evils themselves, because in the deepest hell are those who have worked for the poor on the inside, in the shallower, on the other hand, are those who have done well as abroad, that is, by the falsehoods evil. In some of the underworld are similarities with the ruins of homes and cities destroyed by fire in the ruins of the infernal spirits lurk. Less severe in hell are appearances of sheds, some as a village adjacent to walkways and plazas, in the interior of the houses are the infernal spirits, and there are continuing disputes, fighting, fights and tears, for the corridors and squares are committed theft and looting. In some hells no more than brothels, which are disgusting looking, full of all manner of filth and excrement. There are also deep forests where the infernal spirits around like wild beasts, and in them underground into which escape those who are persecuted by others. There are also deserts which is no more than barren and sandy, and parts rugged mountains, where there are caves, and in some places sheds. These sites are lying desolate, from the underworld, those who have suffered so released, particularly those in the world were sharper than others and develop delusions locking devices in order to deceive. Further state is such an existence. ( Heaven and its wonders, hell and things heard, 61:586, the apparent location and number of hells)

In some cases, similar to what happens on earth, according Swendenborg is because experience the life they have been here, although he explains, is the human will, which leads people to hell and not as punishment of divine how this takes place it will say. When a man enters the afterlife is first received by angels, who will provide all possible services, and talk with him about the Lord, the sky, the life of angels, and instruct him truths and goods, but if the man - then a spirit - is one that in the world have been aware of such things, having got, however, denied or rejected in its heart, is withdrawn, after some conversation, and seeks away, watching the angels which are removed. After some dealings with others, eventually joining with those who are in a bad like yours and when this takes place is away from the Lord, and turns his face toward the inferno with which he was joined in the world, and there are those who are in a love of evil, like (the spirit). Therefore it is clear that the Lord leads to himself every spirit, by angels, and also by an influx from heaven, but the spirits are in the wrong are totally opposed, as it were, emerging from the Lord, being attracted by her evil as a league, therefore to hell, and since they are attracted to and love the evil they wish to continue, obviously put in a hell of his own free will. In the world you can not believe that this is so, because of the idea we have of hell and the afterlife in the eyes of those who are out of hell even seems as if they were thrown, but not to abusers of themselves there because they come free, and those who enter a burning love of evil seem to rush back, head down and feet in the air. On this occasion it seems as if they are precipitated by the Divine force. So may the Lord finds that one puts into hell, but each one (bursts) to itself, not only while living in the world, but also after death, when it comes in the midst of the spirits. ( Heaven and its wonders, hell and things heard, 57:548, Hell)
With regard to evil in the land says that precisely because of the influence of the spirits that live there, many humans come love evil and want to join those in the afterlife. Free will therefore according to the absolute, no there is a divine predetermination, but a selection after death, which being chosen destination.

also somewhat contradictory was his explanation of other complex doctrine, the Trinity. Swedenborg some accuse of anti-Trinitarian, because of his commentary on the origin of this doctrine, saying: "That
the Trinity, taught by the Nicene Creed or the Athanasian, is a Trinity of Persons, or either Gods, as has been said before with respect to these beliefs. Thus originated the faith of the church today in God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit in God the Father, that the imputed righteousness of His Son, the Savior, attributing man, in God the Son, that He intercedes and reconciliation, in the Holy Spirit that He inscribed or printed on the man the imputed righteousness of the Son, sealing, when set, to justify, sanctify and regenerate man. This faith is present and shows itself, a belief in three Gods, recognized and adored. From faith comes not only all the worship of the church, but also all its dogmas, and we say, such faith, such a doctrine. Follow himself, indicated that the faith as a belief in three Gods, has perverted all things of the church because faith is the beginning, and things are doctrinal leads, taking the essence of the principle. If one examines the Current church doctrine with respect to its essentials, I mean with regard to God, to the Person of Christ, charity, repentance, to regeneration, to free will, choice and use of the two sacraments, Baptism and the Lord's Supper, it will become clear, that they contain a Trinity of Gods, or if it is not clear, at least will emanate from them as to their source ( The Nicene Creed, caused a false faith, True Christian Religion, Chapter 3, The Divine Trinity, VI, 135 )

also recognized that the very doctrine of the Trinity was unknown to the apostles, including to Christianity before the fourth century, rejecting the system of choice in Nicea, to understand it as a mistake to want to see equality and independence of both beings. However, was the unit rather directly think God is just joined, just presented in different ways.

Using his scientific logic, tried to explain God, in the same way that the man according to his understanding. So said the same way that man is soul, body and activity, said that God, the soul would be incarnated in Jesus, who was the body and that in fact the Holy Spirit was not a person, but an energy or operation that emanates from God.

So that way he understood the idea of \u200b\u200btrinity, in the manner of the unit, but adding the explanation of the Holy Spirit, not as a person but as a divine emanation. It is actually the common idea was extended in many branches of Protestantism, until today. But does not explain the situation of God, when Jesus died on the torture stake, or to whom Jesus prayed when he was on earth, or who said Father why have you forsaken me?.

In any case, the choice of Swendenborg, is not accepted by Trinitarians, who accused him of Anti-Trinitarianism, for his refusal to accept the Holy Spirit as a person and Nicea manifest complaint, the pure Antitrinitarians not accept him to preach God Jesus equalization, and the unit, to use the term Holy Trinity, as used, including the Holy Spirit.

His vision of the Biblical prophecies that speak of an end, the destruction of the wicked and a new world, is also novel in the sense that it gives a more symbolic biblical expressions. That explains in his book True Christian Religion ", actually, what's to come at the end of the gathering of hidden wheat, will be the elimination of the Church, being contaminated false teachings, creating in the sky, so called "New Heaven" new provisions, then take them to the earth, to be called "New Earth", through a renewed church clean of pollution of the past.

can be summed up in this future hope, somehow understood that this had happened before in ancient times, implying that God has already removed several churches malfunction. His concept of time is actually infinite and cyclical, with no beginning or end, ie a process of change, the end of civilizations, but all of them a church, which is what makes the call to heaven, against another that makes for the hell. This continual process will continue according to eternity, it is part of God's purpose.

But the interpretation of issues as he wrote Swendenborg contain many gaps and contradictions against the scriptures. This solves the issues referring to an interpretive system, in which virtually the entire Bible is a symbolic language to be interpreted, he does not naive to fixed line, simply to suit your way of seeing things. For example, when explaining what the marriage of angels, which he defends, is in the words of Jesus himself, who spoke about the resurrection and heaven, said: For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage but are like angels in heaven. (Matthew 22:30 )

What Swedenborg explanation given to these words that contradict each other? Both in the corresponding chapter in Heaven and its wonders "as in" Concerning Marriage "another pamphlet appeared in 1767, seems to give more details on this. His explanation of the matter is that marriage from the point of view human, human desire not exist in heaven, and that's what he meant the man, but a marriage than a union of mind, from a divine arrangement, and it's more of a mental connection, so be like the angels. So that way it does with many other issues that they encounter biblical confrontation simply reinterprets it to your liking.

In the allegorical exposition of the fall of man, which gives us Swedenborg is another contradiction with respect to what explains the biblical record. Because according to this, death is a liberation of the soul to real life that is spiritual in heaven or hell. While the written record in Genesis tells us that the punishment for disobedience was death, then of course, death does not appear as a liberation but as a punishment. Never promise angel a heavenly life as the first man, rather the Genesis gives the alternative of life or death.

Swedenborg's explanation to this contradiction against the supposed explanation of angelic inspiration, is again somewhat superficial. Simply argues that the Fall described in Genesis is an allegory of man's internal struggle to decide the choice of good or evil love, and interprets some of the issues described in the book of Genesis:
- The Garden of Eden in the Word does not mean a garden, but intelligence, and the tree does not mean tree but man ...... Eat from the tree of life means the man by his free will look to the Lord is near to him, is guided by Him and live according to His will, which receives from the light of heaven that is intelligence and wisdom from the Lord, and is the man in the Lord and the Lord in man, but eating the tree of knowledge of good and evil means, the man by his free will away from the Lord, let's follow him and to receive and guide the light conduct his life on the path of good, and instead of looking at the Lord looks at himself and is worldly and selfish inclinations, which are their own nature, and they involve the mind in darkness and spiritual darkness, instead of introducing in her intelligence and wisdom are the light of heaven from the Lord. (True Christian Religion CAP8 II, 341)

As for the origin of the evil that man chose Swedenborg tells us little and talk elsewhere that in fact the story of Adam and Eve, referred to first church, he fell and was replaced, as will soon your time, giving way to another and possibly that of another, until eternity. On the way

leaves many things unexplained, perhaps because they did not fit with their ideas or because they were given due importance, as was the case that rejected the use of many of the books of the Bible, especially the letters apostolic. It passes from the Gospels to Revelation, but in any case his texts, his writings, it remains indifferent and can be considered, works very well developed, but with an interpretation that while it was personal, the source explained as visional or spiritual, to give more weight or importance. If

emphasizes his prolific works, which is practically all possible theological subjects, besides highlighting his two major works mentioned above and discussed, his famous great work published in 12 volumes: Arcana Coelestia in this voluminous work establishes his famous theory of correspondences between the earthly and heavenly life, delving particularly in the books of Genesis and Exodus receiving detailed attention, verse by verse, but also made extensive references to other books of the Bible, both Old and New Testaments. Swedenborg

is to reveal the inner meaning of the biblical accounts, according to every verse of the Bible has a correspondence or spiritual explanation. The well-known stories about the origin and early development of mankind revealed through what Swendenborg called the language of correspondences, fundamental divine teachings on topics such as life after death, relations between the spiritual and material human nature, marriage, regeneration and religion. Even the historical stories of the Old Testament have lit a match under Swendenborg. Later in another work: Doctrine of the Sacred Scripture , delves deeper into the symbolic and spiritual meaning of scripture.

wrote in 1757 New Jerusalem and Its Heavenly Doctrine (The New Jerusalem and the heavenly doctrine), where together with True Christianity, lays the groundwork for a new faith, who in life was never intended to establish, but after his death, served Based on his followers to form a new religious movement. Some accuse

Swedenborg spiritualist, to show off talking to spirits or angels, which according to him were the souls of the dead. Seen this way, it seems easy to argue against the charges of practicing spiritualism, but in reality he never said it was in session specific to voluntarily communicate with them, but simply in their visions and dreams themselves invited to do so, since according says it was God who chooses who wants to communicate with the spirit world.

Of course, if true the alleged disclosures, should be more consistent with Scripture or the teachings of Christianity's oldest, but is not the case. If the revelations that came from another source that denies the existence then it was sadly deceived the other person on earth.

But if in fact part of his entire explanation came from his own intellect and some dreams with origins in pre-existing ideas in his mind, perhaps by reading texts of other scientist-theologians (see Newton, Bacon, Servet) speak of one of the most important ideologues and theologians of Christianity, surpassing inspiration and originality to Origen, Augustine and Thomas Aquinas, together.

Some try to relate to the Masons, simply because some Masonic lodges in his books were inspired, but never had any relationship these lodges.
Emmanuel Swedenborg's contribution to the world of Christianity did not take effect until some years after his death in 1772 in London, where he spent the last years of his life.

's transformation from rational scientific visionary spiritualism, earned him some enemies especially among some rationalists as Immanuel Kant, who attacked his writings. On the other hand was a source of inspiration for some groups of so-called spiritualism, and theosophy. But above all gave rise to the movement called New Jerusalem, not to be confused with a minority group of evangelists recently created took the name, on swendenborgianos also known as discussed in the next chapter.