Our Theology
About our Theology and Approach to Worship
The Swedenborgian Church is a non-fundamentalist Christian community that honors the validity of many different religions.
We worship the One God, revealed to us in the person and work of Jesus of Nazareth, who became the Christ. The traditional titles of "Father, Son and Holy Spirit" are ways of describing the presence of God in the World, much like our motives, our thoughts and our actions may be used to describe us.
We believe that Jesus Christ taught the redemptive power of God's Love and Wisdom, and by so doing reconnected the world and individuals with their heavenly potential. In this light, we view the "Second Coming" not as a future event, but a present reality.
We regard the Bible as an expression of the Word of God. In addition to what truth may be gleaned from a literal interpretation of its words, it conveys many deeper levels of meaning that makes a study of the Bible endlessly revealing and delightful. Emanuel Swedenborg called our attention to this deeper "inner sense" of the Word.
We believe that "salvation" is an inner experience of spiritual growth rather than a matter of correct belief or membership in a particular church. Salvation is a life-long process, not an instantaneous transformation.
We also believe that Heaven and Hell are states of consciousness that we begin developing here on earth and continue in the spiritual world. We believe that God does not judge, punish or condemn, but rather guides us with delight toward wholeness. What we perceive as God's punishment is simply the consequences of selfish or unenlightened choices, which God permits for the sake of our growth.
We regard worship as an opportunity for the individual to reconnect with the Divine Presence in their life. It is also an opportunity to enjoy the blessings of community by being reminded of the presence of God in our neighbor.
Further information about a Swedenborgian approach to life
is available at the Virginia Street Church.
Or, contact the minister at vssc4553@msn.com.
For further information about the Swedenborgian denomination,
please visit the website www.swedenborg.org.
