God wills all to be saved; double predestination rejected; freedom essential
Swedenborgianism firmly rejects predestination in any form, especially the Calvinist doctrine of double predestination (that some are eternally chosen for salvation and others for damnation). God's will is universally salvific: He wills all to be saved and provides sufficient grace to all.
Free will is absolutely essential to love and moral responsibility. A salvation imposed by divine decree would undermine human freedom and dignity. Instead, God respects human liberty; some freely choose conjunction with God (salvation) while others freely choose separation from God (damnation). This preserves both divine omniscience (God knows from eternity what each freely chooses) and genuine human freedom.
Key Distinctions
- Election model:
- universal salvation willed by God; free will is essential to genuine love
- Double predestination:
- rejected absolutely — God never predestines anyone to hell
- Free will teaching:
- libertarian free will essential; Swedenborg's Divine Providence
Scripture References
Sources
- Emanuel Swedenborg, True Christianity
- General Church of the New Jerusalem, Doctrinal Statements