Before the Council of Nicea and the authoritative vision of Paul of Tarsus, new believers in the Jesus movement struggled to understand just what had taken place, ontologically, with the appearance of Jesus of Nazareth.
In many ways we continue to struggle with defining the momentous importance of the Lord's appearance in the world. Rev. Robert McCluskey will help us to understand the special viewpoint of New Christian Christology.
The first lecture on March 20 will examine Emanuel Swedenborg's revelation through his 1763 work On the Lord. The lecture will examine the importance of understanding the true nature of the Lord for New Christians, and especially Swedenborg's unique view of the Trinity.
Although it is never mentioned in the Bible, the concept of "the Trinity" has become a central tenet of traditional Christianity. It has also been a source of controversy and confusion as people struggle with the question: Is God one or three?
We will look briefly at the origin of this "mysterious" doctrine as it was formulated by the Eastern Orthodox churches in the early centuries of the church. Rooted in the monotheism of Judaism, what was the church to do with a "Son" of God, who then states that He and the Father are "one?" Was this another God, a lesser God? Given Jesus' various statements, was he subordinate or equal to God? And what of the Holy Spirit? How are we to understand what "one essence in three persons" means?
Turning a Swedenborgian lens on Scripture, we will then explore an alternate understanding of the one God in whom is the Divine Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Not a trinity of persons, but a trinity of "person."
To RSVP and obtain the Zoom Room information, email us at Info@SwedLib.org or use the "Contact Us" page in the navigational bar at left.
Rev. Robert McCluskey holds a B.A. and M.A. in philosophy, with a focus on Greek philosophy, modern idealism, existentialism, and hermeneutics. He is a graduate of the Swedenborg School of Religion and was ordained into the Swedenborgian Church of North America in 1984. He has pastored churches in Portland ME and NYCC, and served on the denominational's Social Justice Committee, and as a representative to the National Council of Churches for 18 years. Recently, he administered rites and sacraments at Wayfarer's Chapel in Rancho Palos Verdes until it closed due to land movement in 2024.
