Affirms
The Word/Jehovah pre-existed eternally; Incarnation took on humanity
Swedenborgianism affirms the pre-existence of the Word (Logos) or Jehovah as the eternal divine being. The pre-existent Word is the God revealed in the Old Testament under the name Jehovah. The Incarnation represents the Word's assumption of human nature at a particular historical moment, uniting the eternal divine nature with human flesh.
After the Glorification (resurrection and ascension), the Lord Jesus Christ continues eternally with both divine and human natures united. The pre-existence of Christ as the Word ensures the eternality and divinity of Jesus Christ, while the Incarnation shows God's condescension and love in becoming human.
Key Distinctions
- Preexistence affirmed:
- affirmed — Jehovah/God himself pre-existed and incarnated in Jesus; Jesus IS the eternal God
- Ot identity:
- Jehovah of the OT is the same God who became Jesus Christ; full identification
Scripture References
Sources
- Emanuel Swedenborg, True Christianity