Spiritual philosophy of Swedenborg
Central to the spiritual philosophy of Swedenborg is the concept of the Divine Being as our spiritual source. This concept of infinity is said to be a creative spirit that is communicated to all people regardless of their religious upbringing. All have the potential for perceiving deeper meaning in the world of nature and in the world of sacred writing. Each of these vehicles are used to teach us spiritual lessons guiding our lives towards inner well-being.
All the courses below are available to study on three of our routes (assessment only, feedback only, self study) though at the moment, only one of the courses is offered with regular tutorials guided by an experienced tutor. This is the Correspondences course and it is available to study from February 2025 but if you register interest in the tutorial route for any of the other courses, we will contact you to let you know when they will be starting.
You can use the form below to register and then start a course here.
Correspondences
AVAILABLE TO STUDY FROM FEBRUARY 2025
10 Credits
This course examines Swedenborg’s position that the Creator communicates with us through natural-world images as these are what we readily understand. We have the choice to accept these images purely at the natural level or to use our creative skills to find deeper, richer messages to us. For some the tree is a pleasant, necessary, green part of our environment. We need it to balance the air we breathe. For others it represents something very good which becomes fruitful, producing seed and re-creating.
Spiritual philosophy of Swedenborg on Divine providence
10 Credits
How do we explain undeserved suffering due to destruction to human life and property? We ask, “why does God allow it?” Confusion arises – is Divine Providence good or evil, or both? Does God control the evil as well as the good? Does God know what will happen to me in this world and the next?
This course addresses these and other questions that arise when we consider the state of the world we live in and how this state affects us and our fellow human beings
It examines Swedenborg’s case that God loves and cares, and is in control, notwithstanding the existence of evil and suffering in the world. Also that God carefully chose, and chooses, to work with and alongside people, in their interests and for their ultimate good.
The awe and wonder of the Divine Human
20 Credits
In this module, you are introduced to Swedenborg’s understanding of our Divine Human Source that he calls the Lord.
You will be encouraged to explore questions concerning how the Lord creates, connects and engages with humanity – up to and beyond His historical taking on human flesh and blood in order to experience life as we do in the physical world.
This module also includes an indication of how a true sense of Divine Humanity has been, and still can, become obscured or distorted. In the very last session it ends on a more personal and mystical level of insight and application.
Swedenborg and Ethics
20 Credits
How can Swedenborg contribute to a 21st century debate on ethics? His knowledge of the workings of heaven, based on inner experience, gave him spiritual insights into better ways of addressing moral dilemmas. Based on these insights, he was able to lay down a set of moral standards that were appropriate for all people in all ages.
This course begins by dealing with an understanding of morality in Swedenborgian terms, and then addresses various ethical “hot potatoes”, not to give black and white solutions but to get the student thinking about the issues from different perspectives. Issues like abortion and euthanasia are obvious topics. Others such as work, and wealth and money are less so.
Linking Swedenborg with world religions
10 Credits
This course has been designed to give an overview of the major world faiths and also of some others which are either less widespread or less well-known. The sessions are grouped around particular themes. The themes chosen cover different levels, moving from the historical through the psychological and philosophical to the more practical, including social and cultural elements.
There is less of an emphasis initially on religious or spiritual practice and more on the understanding behind different traditions. This is partly because of wanting to make a link with the thoughts of Swedenborg and partly because of endeavouring to focus on where there may be common ground across the board. Students will therefore have more opportunities to concentrate on the observance and rituals of different traditions as the course progresses.
