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Events

Coming Up

The William Bruce Lectures:

NYC Wednesday July 1 at 4 PM EST;

Zoom of program in Swedenborg Library at 3 PM CST

On Wednesday, July 1, the Swedenborg Library and the New York New Church Legacy Fund are hosting the first of the William Bruce Lecture Series at Barnard College / Columbia University. The in-person program in NYC will be shown via Zoom concurrently in the Swedenborg Library at 3 PM CST on July 1. 
The lecture will explore how the 18C Swedish scientist and mystic Emanuel Swedenborg's doctrines on free will and his visions of the afterlife resulting in striking writings on temporal and spiritual slavery. These writings ultimately served as inspiration for later Swedish abolitionists campaigning in Great Britain and France.The first lecture will feature Dr. Vincent Roy-di Piazza and Carl Wennerlind (Columbia University.)
The lecture will be presented in-person at Barnard College at Columbia University, New York City, in the Sulzburger Parlor, on Wednesday, July 1, 2026 at 4 PM Eastern time, and via Zoom in the Swedenborg Library at 3 PM Central time. 
Vincent Roy-di Piazza (PhD Oxford) is a historian of early modern science, religion, and political economy, based in Finland. Carl Wennerlind is Professor of History at Barnard College and affiliated faculty in the Department of History at Columbia University. He is a historian of economic thought and the foundations of capitalism. His work focuses on 18C debates over credit, money, and scarcity. 








Zoom: Thursday, July 9, 6:00 PM–7:30 PM CST

“The Book of Job: Between Humor, Heresy, and Revelation” with Dell Rose

The Book of Job is a challenge to any conventional understanding of the inerrant goodness of God, and to the Deuteronomistic understanding that the Lord always honors those who do good, and punishes those who do not. This multi-part course will teach the fundamentals of the Book of Job, its narrative structure, origin, and its massive contribution to the literary quality of Persian-era biblical texts. We will consider Swedenborg's own assessment of the text, and ask, "Why is this text so challenging for a Swedenborgian reading?" and "Does it need to be?" Join the July 9 Zoom session at 6 PM CST by clicking on the button at left.Meeting ID: 558 403 3057 Passcode: Swedenborg For earlier sessions, use the button at left to the Swedenborg Library YouTube Channel, and search "The Book of Job" for a dropdown list of prior sessions.
Join the July 9 Zoom at 6 PM CST
View our "Book of Job" videos on Youtube

Zoom: “12 Gates” with Dell Rose Continues Sunday, July 12, at 3:30 PM CST

On Sunday, July 12, we will continue our deep dive into Swedenborgian theology in our 12 Gates series with Dell Rose. The “12 Gates” is an immersive introduction to Swedenborgian spirituality, inviting students to journey through Emanuel Swedenborg's visionary theology as a pilgrim bound for the New Jerusalem. Weaving together biblical exegesis, theological reflection, and the imaginative world of medieval pilgrimage, the course uses the metaphor of "gates" to structure a sustained exploration of prophecy, the human self, the Word, heaven and hell, judgment, charity, and salvation. Zoom Link for “12 Gates,” Sunday, July 12, 3:30 PM CST: Use button at left. Meeting ID: 558 403 3057 Passcode: Swedenborg Videos of earlier presentations may be found on our YouTube Channel by searching "Swedenborg Library Chicago" in the Youtube search field. Or use the button at left.
Join Zoom for 12 Gates July 12
Swedenborg Library Chicago Video Channel

Starting thursday, July 23

at 6 PM CST: the divine cobbler: Jakob bÖhme with Dell rose

Jakob Böhme, the "Divine Shoe Cobbler," stands as one of the most enigmatic figures in Western mysticism. His visionary theology fused Christian, alchemical, and Neoplatonic thought, shaping later esoteric traditions. Dell Rose will lead a multi-part discussion on Böhme's central ideas: divine emanation, the interplay of light and darkness, and the mystical transformation of the soul. Examining his works, we trace his enduring influence on theology and philosophy. 
Via Zoom, on July 23, July 30, August 6, August 13, and August 20 at 6 PM. CST.
Join Zoom July 23, 6 PM CST

Thursday september 3 and 17

at 6 PM CST:

The Parables

with rev. robert mcCluskey

In this two-part course, we will take a closer look at parables. Parables lie very much at the center of the Gospels, but can be found throughout the Hebrew Scripture as well. We all know about parables–or do we? Outwardly they seem to refer to a series of mundane and familiar objects and events: to vineyards and fields, to householders and stewards, to sheep, coins and spendthrift sons, to oil, water, and wine. The literal sense of parables appear to be both memorable and entertaining and in some cases a bit threatening. We know what they say, but what do they mean? 
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 Maine and New York City.

Calendar

The library is regularly open from 1:00 PM–5:00 PM on Wednesday and Friday afternoons, and by appointment. For details on events, click on the “Events” tab at the top of the page.
Sunday Special Events
Wednesday
Thursday Special Events
Friday
June 213:30 PM Zoom: “12 Gates: The Heart of Swedenborg Study”
June 24 Library Open: 1:00 PM–5:00 PM
June 25
June 26 Library open 1–5 PMSwedenborgian Church Convention, Wellesley, MA.
June 28Swedenborgian Church Convention, Wellesley, MA.
July 1 Library Open: 1:00 PM–5:00 PM Join us in the Library at 3 PM to view the Zoom of the first William Bruce Lecture at Columbia Univ. in NYC: “Swedenborg on Temporal & Spiritual Slavery” with Dr. Vincent Roy-DiPiazza, Barnard College
July 2
July 3 Library will be closed for the 4th of July holiday.
July 5
July 8 Library Open: 1:00 PM–5:00 PM
July 9 6:00 PM: “Book of Job” Zoom
July 10 Library Open: 1:00 PM–5:00 PM
July 12 3:30 PM: “12 Gates” Zoom
July 15 Library Open: 1:00 PM–5:00 PM
July 16
July 17 Library Open: 1:00 PM–5:00 PM
July 19
July 22 Library Open: 1:00 PM–5:00 PM
July 23 6:00 PM: “Book of Job” Zoom
July 24 Library Open: 1:00 PM–5:00 PM
July 26 3:30 PM: “12 Gates” Zoom
July 29 Library Open: 1:00 PM–5:00 PM
July 30
July 31 Library Open: 1:00 PM–5:00 PM
August 2
August 5Library Open: 1:00 PM–5:00 PM
August 66 PM: Jakob Böhme part 1 Program Zoom
August 7Library Open: 1:00 PM–5:00 PM
August 9
August 12Library Open: 1:00 PM–5:00 PM
August 136 PM: Jakob Böhme part 2 Program Zoom
August 14Library Open: 1:00 PM–5:00 PM
August 16
August 19Library Open: 1:00 PM–5:00 PM
August 206 PM: Jakob Böhme part 3 Program Zoom
August 21Library Open: 1:00 PM–5:00 PM
August 233:30 PM: “12 Gates” Zoom
August 26c
August 27
August 28Library Open: 1:00 PM–5:00 PM
August 30
September 2 Library Open: 1:00 PM–5:00 PM
September 36 PM: Parables program Zoom
September 4 Library Open: 1:00 PM–5:00 PM
Chicago city planner, architect, and Swedenborgian Daniel Burnham's birthday.
The Swedenborg Library is open 1:00 PM–5:00 PM, Wednesdays and Fridays, and by appointment. 77 W. Washington St., Suite 1700, Chicago, IL 60602
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