Affirms
Virgin birth affirmed; Jesus' soul divine; Mary provided human body
Swedenborgianism affirms the virgin birth of Jesus as both historical and theologically significant. Jesus' conception by the Holy Spirit and birth of the virgin Mary expresses the truth that His soul—His essential nature—was divine, while His body was born naturally of Mary. This affirms the true incarnation: God taking on genuine human nature while remaining divine.
The virgin birth distinguishes Jesus from all other humans and demonstrates that the humanity assumed in the Incarnation was united to divinity from conception. This is consistent with Swedenborg's understanding of the glorification of Jesus' human nature through His life, resurrection, and ascension.
Key Distinctions
- Affirmed literally:
- affirmed — the virgin birth is literal; Mary provided the human body; God provided the divine soul
- Theological significance:
- essential to the Incarnation — God took on human nature to glorify it
Scripture References
Sources
- Emanuel Swedenborg, True Christianity