Upcoming Events & Programs
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View the upcoming Winter 2025 Brochure here:
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View the Autumn 2024 Brochure here:
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Autumn 2024 Brochure in PDF form, above.
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Zoom Program: Tuesday, November 19, 7–8:30 PM Central. Swedenborg and the Inward Turn, with Rev. Robert McCluskey
Rev. Robert McCluskey
To view the video, visit YouTube.com and search the title "Swedenborg's Inward Turn."
Unfortunately, we are having difficulty with our web service in posting the link to the video here. The simplest way to view it is to search the title within YouTube.
Rev. Robert McCluskey has served the New York Swedenborgian Church and the Wayfarer's Chapel in Rancho Palos Verdes, California.
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Zoom: Wednesday, December 4, 5–6:30 PM CentralPrimitive Baptist Universalism, with Elder Jonathan Buttry
The Appalachian tradition of Primitive Baptist Universalism is one of the most fascinating American theological movements. Originating in the late 19th Century, the PBU's teach a highly original theology built on Biblical literalism, a unique reading of Calvinism, and the belief that God will eventually reconcile all beings back to himself. The "No-Hellers" as they are often called pejoratively, due to their belief that Hell is not an eternal place of torment but rather a state of being experienced in this life, are one part of the unknown religious tapestry that is Appalachia.
In the United States, Appalachia is often pigeonholed as an area without intellectual complexity and diversity, where grinding poverty mutes intellectual concerns. However, this could not be further from the truth. Few recognize that Appalachia is the most religiously diverse area of the U.S., and that theological discussion and debates are part of the very fabric of people's daily lives.
By looking at the PBU tradition, we hope to add understanding to one of the United States' most misunderstood areas.
Jonathan Buttry is an Elder at the Holston Valley Church in Rogersville, Tennessee.
To RSVP and obtain the Zoom link, contact us at Info@SwedLib.org.
Time: Wednesday, December 4, 5–6:30 PM Central
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ZOOM: Thursday, December 12; 3–4:30 PM CentralVölspa Saga: The End of the Gods, with Terry Gunnell
Join Terry Gunnell for a discussion of the Völuspa Saga, the speech of the prophetess, and perhaps Ragnarök, the end of the gods. Völuspa is a central poem in Norse mythology, found in the Poetic Edda. It is narrated by a völva, a seeress, who recounts the creation of the world, its eventual destruction, and rebirth. Addressing Odin, she describes the primodial void Ginnungagap, the rise of the gods, and the golden age that follows. The poem also foretells Ragnarok, the apocalyptic battle leading to the world's end and its subsequent renewal.
To RSVP and obtain the Zoom link, contact us at Info@SwedLib.org or use the Contact Us link in the lefthand column.
Terry Gunnell is a distinguished folklorist and Professor Emeritus at the University of Iceland. He is one Iceland's most respected public intellectuals. Renowned for his extensive research in the Old Norse literature, folk beliefs, and performance studies, Gunnell has significantly contributed to the understanding of Nordic folklore and medieval Scandinavian culture. His work often explores the intersections of folklore, drama, and cultural history, with notable publications such as "The Origins of Drama in Scandinavia" and "Masks and Mumming in the Nordic Area." Gunnell's scholarship is characterized by a deep engagement with both historical texts and contemporary folk practices, making him a "rock star" figure in the field of folklore.
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Zoom: Thursday, January 9, 2025 6 PM Central The Case Against Hope: Geopolitics and the Reality of Conflict, with Dell Rose
To RSVP and obtain the Zoom link, contact us at Info@SwedLib.org.
Time: Wednesday, December 4, 5–6:30 PM Central Join us as we discuss via Zoom current global conflict as a unsolvable situation. We will draw both from historically significant political philosophers, as well as the work of English philosopher John Gray, especially his book The New Leviathans. How does civil society appear in a post-hope world, and how do we cultivate a rich personal life in spite of global conflict?
Dell Rose serves as the Program Director at the Swedenborg Library in Chicago. Additionally, Dell holds the position of Swedenborg Doctoral Fellow with the Swedenborg Society in the United Kingdom, and he is a doctoral candidate at the Centre for the History of Hermetic Philosophy and Related Currents at the Universitet van Amsterdam. His research focuses on the intersection of Western esotericism and political reform, particularly with Swedenborgianism in 19th century World.
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Thursday, January 16, 6 PM Central TimeZOOM: Tengrism and Ancient Turkic Culture, with Prof. Kağan Arik, University of Chicago
Join us via Zoom as Prof. Arik delves into the ancient shamanistic and animistic beliefs of the Turkic peoples, exploring their spiritual practices, cosmology, and the veneration of the sky deity Tengri. This religion which was the main faith of the Mongol empire literally spread around the world, and yet remains almost completely unknown. We will also examine the rich tapestry of Turkic cultural heritage, including traditional customs, social structures, and historical developments. Through engaging lectures and interactive discussions, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the profound influence of Tengrism on the cultural and spiritual life of ancient Turkic societies. Perfect for scholars, students, and enthusiasts of Central Asian history and culture.
To RSVP and obtain the Zoom link, contact us at Info@SwedLib.org.
Time: Thursday, January 16, 6 PM Central
Dr. Kağan Arik is the Ayaslı Lecturer in Modern Turkish and Turkic Languages at the University of Chicago. Teaching since 2000, he coordinates the Modern Turkish language program and lectures on Uzbek and Central Asian Studies. Dr. Arik’s research includes the historical development of the Turkish language, pre-Islamic Turkic cultures, and traditional healing practices. He is a member of the American Association of Teachers of Turkish and Turkic Languages and founder of the Central Asian Studies Society.
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