Emanuel Swedenborg Wrote The Finest, Most Logical Old Testament Explanations Ever Written. They are not only inspired but also completely logical and backed up with appropriate scripture, tying the Old and New Testament together and also leading into the mysteries that were to be revealed afterwards by Jakob Lorber and Franz Bardon.
Emanuel Swedenborg was born in Sweden and lived from 1688 to 1772. He was a scientist, inventor and mining engineer but, like others before him, he became inspired through dreams and visions to express in writing what he had seen through his spiritual experiences. The result were a series of books that helped many people see Christianity in a much brighter light and with more clarity. It was to be expected that the more orthodox wanted him tried for heresy.
Some might say that what Emanuel Swedenborg wrote was simply philosophy influenced by one or another philosopher. This is understandable as many, if not most, scholars reason from the premise that what has come into being has been based on a previous, already existing influence and some, having had no experience of their own, have to rely on the experience of others to draw their conclusions from. This is fine when doing certain types of research as long as it is made clear that they are relying on the experience of others to form their conclusions rather than their own first hand experience. It is easy to see how this type of methodology can be skeptical. To that mindset, the possibility of someone actually being a prophet is at best remote in a world who’s heart has waxed cold and has come to believe more in itself than in something higher.
Swedenborg’s writings influenced many including Helen Keller who stated that “the teachings of Emanuel Swedenborg have been my light, and a staff in my hand and by his vision splendid I am attended on my way.” Other notables that found genuine inspiration in the work of Emanuel Swedenborg were Elizabeth Barrett Browning, August Strindberg, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Charles Baudelaire, Adam Mickiewicz, Balzac, William Butler Yeats, Sheridan Le Fanu, Jorge Luis Borges to name a few.
Needless to say, Swedenborg also had those who were less than flattering towards him and his writings. There is no point commenting on this as when it comes to spiritual matters anyone who cannot tolerate another view or opinion on the subject is already off to a very bad start . . . enough wars have been fought to prove it!
Swedenborg put forth the idea that salvation through faith alone without charity was not possible. The purpose of faith, according to Swedenborg, is to lead a person to a life according to the truths of faith, which is charity. This statement can, perhaps, be put in different terms; simply knowing or believing that there is food in the kitchen will not satisfy ones hunger if they do not eat that food when they are hungry. Some equate believing in Christ with salvation. According to Swedenborg this is just the beginning. Thinking and acting are the natural extension of faith. Some people use the term “good works” in place of charity which is fine, as long as those good works are the product of sincere inner goodness from faith rather than an external show of generosity for the sake of honor or other personal benefit.
Some religious sects have even plagiarized the work of Emanuel Swedenborg “adopting his words to suit themselves but, not their intended meaning.” It is perhaps best not to mention any sects here as the world is already at odds with itself on so many other issues. Why start yet another fire in an already inflamed world.
Swedenborg alludes to an even greater seer than himself would come after him. To us, having compared the work of Emanuel Swedenborg to that of Jakob Lorber one might conclude that Swedenborg was referring to Jakob Lorber. When comparing the works of these two they closely relate and complement very well indeed.
Swedenborg’s writing is heavenly. But, as no one can be in any position to decide or dictate what is or is not heavenly to others; it is perhaps more prudent to suggest that Swedenborg’s work is heavenly to us. We have been reading it for a very long time, have enjoyed it immensely and, over time, have come across different translations of the same works. To our surprise it became apparent that different translations conveyed a different enough message to cause concern. It is possible for original writings to get changed in the course of time for reasons that are never quite clear or intended. Staying true to the original text to remain as close as possible to it’s original message is vital for future generations to get the fullest benefit, especially when it comes to spiritual matters. For that reason we cannot present what we do not believe to be the best examples of Emanuel Swedenborg’s works here.
The Standard Editions available from the Swedenborg Foundation are generally the original works of Swedenborg translated from the original Latin. The link provided just above will take you to the free PDF downloads of those works. However, do keep in mind that to download those works as reference is one thing but given that most of them are between 500 and 600 pages in length makes reading off a computer screen tiresome and printing and bind them in any format will be more expensive and a greater hassle than just buying the finished bound books listed on this page. The purpose of bringing these pdf’s to your attention is for reference purposes only, so you can compare any Swedenborg book with them. We have already gone to that trouble for you.
At the time of the original translations, Latin and Greek were still commonly spoken amongst all educated people and clergy in the West. It was mandatory and applicable to most professions and remained relevant in the context of their everyday lives. This is a very significant point, as today, Latin, is for the most part, a dead language only spoken by an increasingly shrinking pool of isolated scholars.
Accurate translation requires that the translator not only be fluent in both the original language being translated and the final language it is being translated into; they must also understand the subject matter being translated. Without these essentials the original is in danger of losing it’s originality through misinterpretation. Having compared some of the Standard Edition originals to some more recently translated works of the same title, we were shocked at some of the changes that were made. Which raises the question, would a translation done when Latin was still a relatively common, fluently spoken language by people who were spiritually minded be better than after having become an obscure dead language by scholars of the language alone?
We brought this to the attention of the Swedenborg Foundation but they were satisfied with their newly translated editions. Still, in clear conscience we cannot recommend the new translations, even though we would likely stand to profit more from selling them.
Having said that, we wish to make it clear that we are neither scholars but, no one needs to be in order to read, think or understand complex concepts. We have been reading and lecturing about spiritual matters and their application for over 35 years for the love of it. Our motive has always been the knowledge itself. In that time we have become very conversant with the subject matter to the point that it is not too hard to recognize what generally falls into the same theme, making it easy to detect inconsistencies that should not be present or that may have resulted from translation alone.
For these reasons, when it comes to Swedenborg, we would advise the translations done by John C. (Curtis) Ager, John Faulkner Potts, William Wunsch or, John Clowes as they were, in some cases, the original translators. There may be others but, we have not come across them yet. Although, we must say that after having compared the Standard Edition of Angelic Wisdom Concerning The Divine Providence translated by William F. Wunsch and an older one by John C. Ager, it was obvious that the John C. Ager translation was the superior of the two.
These conclusions are only our opinion based on what we have read and have confirmed from having read all of Jakob Lorber, Franz Bardon and Biblical script. Anyone who will go to that trouble of going to the source of the information to read it first hand will find a common thread of progressively deeper spiritual insight that is in complete conformity with itself. We have been careful not to get lost in imaginary leanings, scholarly protocol or, the sometimes blind prejudice of denominational doctrine.
With that in mind we feel that the newly translated editions of Swedenborg’s works, although easier to read, sometimes distort the original works. For a while I could not find recent printings of the original translations of the works of Emanuel Swedenborg in a nice presentable format. We have finally found them, read them through and have made them available to you from this page.
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Heaven and its Wonders and Hell, sometimes referred to simply as Heaven and Hell is perhaps the most well known of Emanuel Swedenborg’s works. We have compared the newer translation with the original and much prefer the original translated by John C. (Curtis) Ager as it seems to preserve the spirit of the original work. Heaven and Hell details with the process of transitioning from the physical world to the spirit world. Swedenborg substantiates his points with Biblical references describing the nature of the various heavens contained within heaven to accommodate the level of maturity of each human being. |
This edition of Divine Love and Wisdom by Emanuel Swedenborg is a John C Ager translation and another truly wonderful read. Using sound reason and facts Swedenborg explains the basis for everything that happens in the world – the existence and nature of God, the relationship between heaven and Earth, and how they relate to human existence. What is very comforting to know from all these reasonings that all human beings are essential in God’s Divine plan – without each of us God’s plan could not come to fruition. As hard as it may be to believe in all of his works, this one included, Swedenborg often explains the unexplainable. |
We were very happy to also find this John C. Ager translated edition of Angelic Wisdom Concerning the Divine Providence by Emanuel Swedenborg. The term Divine Providence is an angelic government that leads human being back towards the greatest possible good. The situations we find ourselves in life are set up by Providence to create an equilibrium in everyone’s life in such a way that all possible benefits are realized and that all debts created through actions are paid. To maintain this order requires unimaginable organization. What is amazing is that while we are on Earth we are completely unaware of this hidden guidance. |
This paperback, box set contains all three essential and best known works by Emanuel Swedenborg: Heaven and Hell, Divine Love and Wisdom and Divine Providence. These are excellent translations by John C. Ager and William Wunsch. Their content is beautiful and excellent. Heaven and Hell describes the wonders and actual structure of the spirit world and the process of transition to it when we leave this life. and the inner order of both heaven and hell. Divine Love and Wisdom shows how the spiritual structure operates. Divine Providence explains how God leads humanity towards redemption.
Some have a completely mixed up concept of what redemption is. Redemption is simply the effect of the removal of a person propensities that would lead them into ever deepening problems because of poor choices that are ruled by their uncontrolled emotions that render a person into a sort of walking sleep, otherwise known as the state of “sin.” Sin is probably one of the most misunderstood concepts in Christianity. Sin is often the reason for utter confusion that often leads to the baseless judging of other people on completely mixed up concepts that have little to do with Christianity.
The complete Arcana Coelestia (Heavenly Secrets) by Emanuel Swedenborg -The Fullest Possible Explanation of the Old Testament.
The following is the complete Arcana Coelestia (Heavenly Secrets) by Emanuel Swedenborg. It is nearly impossible to convey all that is contained in this work because it’s scope is so incredibly monumental. In it Swedenborg explains the Old Testament books of Genesis and Exodus. He unfolds the meaning contained in every verse in meticulous detail to reveal the symbolism that the Bible is based upon. In so doing, he is giving us the actual code of the Bible which is not as complicated or as mysterious as is often thought.
Granted, reading the Biblical texts with the benefit of this knowledge takes a little getting used to. The manner and style in which it is written is very compact. Some sentences, verses and chapters will likely need to be re-read before you start developing a feel for it. When you do, not only will it make complete sense, it will start rewarding you by becoming personally relevant and applicable to the understanding of your own life. Beyond that, it also gives you a glimpse into your own psychology, how the mind works, what influences it and how and a lot more.
The word of God was written for everyone to read and learn from yet so few can say that they really understand it beyond it’s universal message of love. Everything that happens to us from before conception, birth, death and in the afterlife has symbolic meaning that serves our life both physically and spiritually. It is nearly impossible to discuss matters that are non-physical, including mental activity in purely physical terms. This is why the Bible is filled with metaphors that lay out the processes we go through while largely being completely unaware of them. In the Arcana Coelestia Swedenborg reveals it directly out of the same familiar Biblical words that when read in the context of their symbolism make complete sense and reveal their full meaning.
The Arcana Coelestia shown here are the Standard Editions representing the original translations from the Latin texts byJohn Clowes and revised by John Faulkner Potts. They are very detailed in their explanation of Genesis and Exodus. There has never been a more complete explanation of these Biblical texts so, naturally reading them requires the same care, patience and effort that one would take when reading the Bible itself. Start at the beginning and proceed slowly with patience, you will be greatly rewarded.
As hard and as cautious as we should be in making absolute statements, it would seem that apart from the work of Jakob Lorber, the works of Emanuel Swedenborg, in relation to biblical interpretation are by far more rational than any written before or since. His work is neither commercially driven nor doctrinally charged to push towards the establishment of yet another Christian sect. In Swedenborg’s Arcana Coelestia (Heavenly Secrets) one will find a sound yet unique discernment of the deeper meaning within Scripture revealing that how the physical world came into being is not at all what is being dealt with in the books of Genesis. What it does concern itself with is the nature of God, the relationship between God and man and how the human soul evolves in the process of building that relationship as it comes closer to God through the embodiment of goodness and truth.
What is being presented by Emanuel Swedenborg can easily be regarded as universal and enlightening without being pushy. In explaining Biblical texts Swedenborg writes from a Christian perspective placing Christianity ahead of denomination. You will find that very few write like Swedenborg. We have worked very hard to find some of the others that do within this website.
The Delights Of Wisdom Pertaining To Conjugal Love: To Which Is Added The Pleasures Of Insanity Pertaining To Scortatory Love. The latter part of this title may sound a little odd but, given what it is talking about it will be seen that it is indeed a very appropriate title. At present this title is most often referred to as Conjugal Love. Written by Emanuel Swedenborg – translated by Samuel M. Warren and revised by Louis H. Tafel
Swedenborg was a scientist in life and relied on a cold blooded logic to arrive at scientific conclusions. It would only make complete sense that in making any point he would first lay out a well thought out philosophical foundation before presenting it. As is the case with some of the other works by Emanuel Swedenborg, Conjugal Love takes a little effort before you really “get into it.” In the case of Conjugal Love, Swedenborg lays out the fundamental spiritual premise of what it is to be male and female and why marriage is the essential outcome of it beyond mere procreation. Understanding this fundamentally is worth anyone’s time and gives marriage a much deeper meaning that literally transcends physical existence. Swedenborg clearly shows that men and women are different but without conveying that one is superior to the other, which in itself is a breath of fresh air. This is not “Men are from Mars; Women are from Venus,” It’s much deeper than that. Differences are celebrated so that what is male and female might be recognized within both men and women as individuals that the male and female principles might be better recognized and respected in the embodiment and manner of a man and women separately. Swedenborg reveals the spiritual nature and purpose of men, women and marriage, adding much more depth and meaningful application than most will get from any other book. The bottom line is that Swedenborg is not like any other Christian writer you’ll ever run across. His works are detailed and lengthy but also life changing. His books contribute to life itself and in the case of Conjugal Love, marriage is elevated to a much higher level than ever before imagined. All the people whom I have referred to Swedenborg’s work have said the same thing.
The Four Doctrines by Emanuel Swedenborg is another classic work. This edition is a John Faulkner Potts translation. It has been a while since I have read this book and remember it being another beautiful and enlightening read but, I will have to re-read it before I can accurately convey what is in it.
More of Swedenborg’s works are available than those shown here but, although it is easy to blindly endorse just about anything on the internet, when it comes to spiritual things it is best to speak as truthfully as possible from a clear conscience than to just push product. We have not listed all of the works of Emanuel Swedenborg here because we have not read all of them. It is impossible to comment honestly on anything without first knowing something about it from personal experience. However, you are free to explore them by clicking on any one of the links to the other books on this page.
