General Church governed by synod; Swedenborg's writings are New Revelation
Authority in Swedenborgianism is distributed between church hierarchy and doctrinal sources. The General Church of the New Jerusalem (one Swedenborgian body) is governed by a bishop and synod, while the Swedenborgian Church (another body) is congregational. Both hold Swedenborg's theological writings as authoritative New Revelation illuminating the inner sense of Scripture.
The Bible interpreted through Swedenborg's works comprises the doctrinal authority. Swedenborg is not worshipped but is understood as the human instrument through whom God revealed the spiritual sense of Scripture for the New Church age. Different Swedenborgian bodies vary in their governmental structure—some more hierarchical (General Church) and others more democratic (Swedenborgian Church).
Key Distinctions
- Governance model:
- General Church governed by bishop and synod; New-Church (Swedenborgian) is congregational
- Apostolic succession:
- not emphasized; authority comes from fidelity to Swedenborg's revealed doctrines
- Women in ministry:
- varies by body — General Church ordains men only; Swedenborgian Church ordains women
- Doctrinal authority:
- Bible (inner sense) + Swedenborg's theological works as the New Revelation
Scripture References
Sources
- General Church of the New Jerusalem, Doctrinal Statements
- Emanuel Swedenborg, True Christianity