Emanuel Swedenborg.

Taller than the others, this man
Walked among them, at a distance,
Now and then calling the angels
By their secret names. He would see
That which earthly eyes do not see:
The fierce geometry, the crystal
Labyrinth of God and the sordid
Milling of infernal delights.
He knew that glory and Hell too
Are in your soul, with all their myths;
He knew, like the Greek, that the days
Of time are Eternity’s mirrors.
In dry Latin he went on listing
The unconditional Last Things.

Jorge Luis Borges, translated by Richard Howard and Cesar Rennert

Why does the modern world actually needs the work of another “theologian”, especially one who weighs in from some expired epoch, toting with him the volumes of a life’s work of writing that looks like it might take a lifetime to read, and possibly even a genius equal to his own to understand? Can the explanations of “reality,” both physical and spiritual contained within a centuries old “dry Latin” have any relevance to us?

We might find Swedenborg interesting from the simple fact that during his life he was a reputable scientist and a distinguished theologian, a rare combination in his own age as much as in our own. However, what we are really encountering in Swedenborg is not so much just a rational systematic presentation of Divine things in a coherent and consistent way.

We are encountering the findings of a researcher who was a direct “eyewitness” of what he was reporting, “Calling the angels by their secret names” as Borges alludes. Swedenborg’s life and character, considered as factors substantiating his credibility and the reliability of what he reports, are well documented. The record clearly indicates that he was rational, sane and sincere throughout the entire course of his life.

So what then are we to make of what he says? How do we respond, assuming that the reports that Swedenborg offers allow us to comprehend spiritual truths in a rational way? Being truly human means that we need to have a clear understanding of our existence and purpose in order to be able to comprehend genuine truth and to act in the interest of what is genuinely good.

Swedenborg’s gives us revealing reports on the nature of life and the life after death, the spiritual meaning of the Bible and sacred Scripture, the importance of useful meaningful activity, marriage love and family, as well as the basis of all damaging and beneficial social interactions and relationships. From this understanding of “The unconditional last things,” comes a deep and strong motive for free loving action, and a foundation of sensible faith to aid our life in this world and to prepare us for our life in the spiritual world to come.

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