One divine Person—Jesus Christ; Father, Son, Spirit are divine aspects
Swedenborgianism rejects the traditional doctrine of three persons in one God. Instead, it teaches that God is one divine Person—Jesus Christ—in whom are united three essential aspects: the Father (divine love and soul), the Son (divine wisdom and body), and the Holy Spirit (divine activity and operation). These are not three persons but three aspects of one divine being.
Swedenborg's writings emphasize the unity of God as one person and criticize the Athanasian and Nicene Trinities as theological errors arising from abstract reasoning. The incarnation of Jesus is not understood as God the Son taking on humanity but as God the one divine Person expressing Himself fully in human form.
Key Distinctions
- Persons ontology:
- one God = Jesus Christ; Father is divine love (soul), Son is divine wisdom (body), Spirit is divine activity — not three persons
- Spirit procession:
- divine activity proceeds from Jesus Christ as one divine Person
- Creed stance:
- Athanasian and Nicene Trinities of three persons rejected; Triune within Christ affirmed
Scripture References
Sources
- Emanuel Swedenborg, True Christianity
- Emanuel Swedenborg, Heaven and Hell