Swedenborgianism—What is it?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Swedenborgianism originated in the eighteenth century through the teachings of Emanuel Swedenborg, whose writings became the foundation of the New Church, which still exists today and treats Swedenborg’s visions as authoritative. Scripture directly contradicts Swedenborgianism’s claims. Swedenborgianism teaches that God is essentially one person rather than triune, the Holy Spirit is not a distinct divine person, and the Trinity exists only within Jesus as three aspects or functions of who He is. But the Bible presents God as Triune, eternally existing as Father (John 5:36–37), Son (John 1:1–3; 14), and Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3–4). Swedenborgianism also denies substitutionary atonement, claiming that Christ’s death did not satisfy God’s justice for sin, redefining salvation as moral reform. But the Bible clearly indicates that Christ bore sin as an atoning sacrifice (Isaiah 53:5–6; 1 Peter 2:24) and that reconciliation with God comes through faith in Jesus’ finished work (Romans 3:24–26; Ephesians 2:8–9). Emanuel Swedenborg claimed that he received direct visions and revelations from God and the spiritual world, that these revelations clarified and corrected Christianity, and that his revelations should be used to interpret Scripture. However, the Bible warns against listening to anyone who claims to receive revelation when it contradicts God’s Word (Deuteronomy 18:20–22; Galatians 1:8–9).

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Swedenborgianism claims new revelation that functions as a higher interpretive authority over what God has already revealed. But the Old Testament repeatedly warns God’s people against accepting any prophet or dreamer who spoke in God’s name while teaching what contradicted God’s revealed Word and was not commanded by God (Deuteronomy 18:20-22), even if signs or spiritual experiences accompanied the message (Deuteronomy 13:1–3).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Against the Swedenborgianism claim that God is one and not three persons in one (Triune), Scripture teaches that God eternally exists as three distinct persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Father speaks from heaven and sends the Son (John 5:36–37); the Son is fully divine and yet distinct from the Father, praying to Him and obeying His will (John 1:1; John 17:1–5); and both the Father and the Son send the Holy Spirit who speaks, teaches, and acts (John 14:16–17, 26; Acts 5:3–4).
• While Swedenborgianism maintains that Jesus is a divine manifestation rather than the eternal Son, the Bible teaches that He is eternally God who added on humanity (Philippians 2:6–7). Jesus is the Word who already “was God” and was “with God” before creation (John 1:1) and who later took on human flesh (John 1:14). Paul adds that the fullness of deity dwells bodily in Christ (Colossians 2:9). Jesus did not become divine over time, nor does deity exist only as a role within Him; He was always the eternal Son who entered history at a specific point in time.
• Swedenborgianism denies substitutionary atonement, but Scripture teaches that Christ’s death satisfied God’s justice for sin. Paul explains that sinners are “justified by his [God’s] grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus , whom God put forward as a propitiation” (Romans 3:24–26). A propitiation is a sacrifice that appeases God’s wrath against sin. Peter stated that Jesus was such a sacrifice because He bore sins in His body on the cross (1 Peter 2:24). Salvation is, therefore, grounded in Christ’s atoning sacrifice and is not primarily about moral reform.
• According to Swedenborgianism, Jesus is a divine manifestation rather than the eternal Son. Scripture teaches, though, that Jesus is the Word who already “was God” and was “with God” before creation (John 1:1) and who later took on human flesh (John 1:14). Paul writes of Christ, “though he was in the form of God, [He] did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:6–7).
• Paul adds, “For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily”(Colossians 2:9). Jesus did not become divine, nor does deity exist only as a role within Him; He is the eternal Son who entered history at a specific point in time to add on humanity so that He could die in our place.
• Paul issued a stern warning against accepting any message that revises or contradicts the Gospel already revealed: “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8–9). This warning applies squarely to Swedenborgianism’s claims of a supposed corrective revelation, placing it far outside of the bounds of biblical Christianity.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Have you ever read “as is” in the description for a “fixer upper” that caught your eye or for that used car advertised on social media? If so, you were being forewarned that what you’re thinking of buying comes with lots of problems. But some things are perfect “as is,” such as God’s Word.

The Bible speaks with authority because it comes from God. God does not lie (Titus 1:2), and because Scripture is God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16), it needs no correction. When later teachings like Swedenborgianism claim to “fix” Scripture or improve it through new revelation, they are, in fact, trying to “correct” the Creator. When some others change what God said, what they are really showing is that they don’t like God as He is and want to make Him more like them. Believers should never listen to those kinds of people.

How can believers guard against such deceptive teachings? We must become so familiar with God’s Word that we instantly recognize when someone tries to change it or lies about it. If we’re confronted by adherents to false teaching, we must warn them and guide them back to truth.

God’s revelation to us is perfect “as is” because its Author is the ultimate source of truth.

UNDERSTAND

• Swedenborgianism elevates Swedenborg’s revelations over Scripture.
• Swedenborgianism denies the Trinity and the eternal Sonship of Christ.
• Swedenborgianism rejects substitutionary atonement, redefining salvation as moral reform.

REFLECT

• How deeply do you know God’s Word to recognize teachings that contradict what it says
• How might you be tempted to prioritize human insight over God’s revealed truth?
• How does understanding Christ’s eternal Sonship and atoning work strengthen your faith and trust in salvation?

ENGAGE

• Why is affirming the Trinity and Christ’s substitutionary atonement essential to authentic Christian faith?
• How does recognizing Jesus’ eternal Sonship and substitutionary atonement impact the way we view salvation?
• How can believers lovingly respond to those drawn to teachings like Swedenborgianism without compromising biblical truth?