General Church of the New Jerusalem

Last updated
The General Church of the New Jerusalem
Classification Restorationist [1]
Orientation Swedenborgian
Polity Episcopal
Headquarters
Origin1897 [2]
Separated from The General Convention of the Church of the New Jerusalem
Members6,760 (in 2006) [3]
Official website Official website
Bryn Athyn Cathedral Bryn Athyn Cathedral.jpg
Bryn Athyn Cathedral

The General Church of the New Jerusalem (also referred to as the General Church [4] or just simply the New Church ) is an international church based in Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania, and based on the Old Testament, the New Testament, and the theological works of Emanuel Swedenborg (often called the Writings for the New Church or just the Writings). The General Church of the New Jerusalem distinguishes itself from other Swedenborgian churches by teaching that the Writings for the New Church are the Heavenly Doctrine revealed by the Lord in His Second Coming and have authority equal to the Old and New Testaments. It is larger, newer, and more conservative than the Swedenborgian Church of North America.

Contents

History

In 1890, as a result of a doctrinal disagreement, the General Church broke away from the General Convention of the Church of the New Jerusalem, also known as the Swedenborgian Church of North America, which had itself been established in 1817. [5] [6] In 1999, the General Church had about 5,600 members, and the General Convention had about 2,600 members. [3] By 2006, membership in the General Church had increased to 6,760. [7]

Doctrine

The General Church of the New Jerusalem accepts the doctrine of the New Church as described in the works published by Emanuel Swedenborg. The following doctrine can be drawn from and verified by these works. Among these works are True Christian Religion, Heaven and Hell, Conjugial Love, The New Jerusalem and its Heavenly Doctrine, Heavenly Secrets, The Doctrine of the Lord, and many more. In these works the doctrine of The New Church is defined.

Affiliated schools

Preschool education (ages 3–5)

Elementary education (ages 6–14)

Secondary education (ages 14–18)

Higher education

Other organizations

Executive Bishops

See also

References

  1. Spinks, Bryan D. (2 March 2017). Reformation and Modern Rituals and Theologies of Baptism: From Luther to Contemporary Practices. Routledge. ISBN   978-1-351-90583-1. However, Swedenborg claimed to receive visions and revelations of heavenly things and a 'New Church', and the new church which was founded upon his writings was a Restorationist Church. The three nineteenth-century churches are all examples of Restorationist Churches, which believed they were refounding the Apostolic Church, and preparing for the Second Coming of Christ.
  2. "General Church of the New Jerusalem Organization page" . Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  3. 1 2 Oshatz, Molly (2003), "Swedenborgian Churches", Dictionary of American History, Gale, Cengage Learning, retrieved 20 Dec 2009
  4. Queen II, Edward L.; Prothero, Stephen R.; Shattuck Jr., Gardiner H. (1996). The Encyclopedia of American Religious History. Vol. 2. New York: Proseworks. p. 657. ISBN   0-8160-3545-8.
  5. http://www.heavenlydoctrines.org/Books%20and%20Monographs%5CKramph%20Will%20Case.html Archived 2011-07-19 at the Wayback Machine at pp. 22-27.
  6. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-09-28. Retrieved 2013-05-14.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  7. "General Church of the New Jerusalem". The Association of Religion Data Archives.
  8. The International Year Book. 1902. The institution includes a theological school, and colleges for boys and girls, this work being superintended by the bishop of the church, the Rev. William F. Pendleton.
  9. New Church Life, 1897, p. 43.
  10. New Church Life, 1938, p. 62.
  11. New Church Life, 1962, p. 492
  12. New Church Life, 1976, p.335
  13. New Church Thought, June 30, 2010
  14. New Church Life, 1991, p. 362.
  15. New Church Life, 2004, p. 277.
  16. New Church Life, 2006, p.245.

Further reading