Swedenborg Foundation

Explorations of spiritual love and wisdom inspired by Emanuel Swedenborg

True Christianity Vol. 1: New Century Edition

By Emanuel Swedenborg
Translated by Jonathan S. Rose
Deluxe Edition Introduction by R. Guy Erwin

True Christianity is a systematic description of Swedenborg’s view on the church in this world and the next. Volume one covers topics such as the nature of God, Jesus, the Ten Commandments, faith, and good works.

Deluxe hardcover, paperback and e-book, 784 pages

Portable paperback and e-book, 574 pages

The New Century Edition is printed in two different editions:

Deluxe Edition

Contains all of the introductions, notes, and supplemental materials. True Christianity is available as a deluxe hardcover and paperback. Read more about the Deluxe Edition >

Hardcover$49.95Paperback $34.95Kindle $2.99Free EPUB

Portable Edition

Smaller paperbacks that include the complete text of the translations, but none of the introductions, notes, or other supplemental materials.

Paperback $29.95EPub $25.45Kindle $1.00Free PDFFree EPUB

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Description

In the fourteen chapters of his two-volume True Christianity, Swedenborg presents his theological views against the backdrop of, and in contrast to, key concepts in Protestant Christianity, such as the nature of God and of the Trinity; how and why Jesus redeemed the human race; the nature of the Bible; the multilayered meanings of the Ten Commandments; how faith and good works contribute to salvation; the true nature and purpose of baptism and Holy Supper (Communion); and the Last Judgment, the Second Coming, and the descent of the New Jerusalem. It includes Swedenborg’s most extended and practice-oriented discussion of how to undertake effective repentance from sin. The tone of the work is often blunt and confrontational and, when it resorts to reducing opposing arguments to absurdity, devastatingly biting and witty. It is recommended for those with a particular interest in exploring Swedenborg’s theological views and seeing the biblical support he offers for them. It also includes extensive accounts of Swedenborg’s spiritual experiences.

Volume 1 provides unique answers to humankind’s perennial questions about the nature of God and about Jesus—not only what his purpose was and how he fulfilled it, but why his life and death are still relevant to us now.

About the Deluxe Edition

True Christianity: Containing a Comprehensive Theology of the New Church That Was Predicted by the Lord in Daniel 7:13–14 and Revelation 21:1, 2, volume 1, by Emanuel Swedenborg. Originally published by Swedenborg in Amsterdam in 1771. Translated by Jonathan S. Rose. This Deluxe volume includes a translator’s preface; an introduction by R. Guy Erwin; an explanation of conventions used in the series, along with a list of works by Swedenborg referred to in the volume; the newly translated text of Swedenborg’s work; ninety pages of endnotes by Glen M. Cooper, George F. Dole, R. Guy Erwin, Jonathan S. Rose, and Stuart Shotwell; a bibliography of works cited in the notes; and a biographical note on Swedenborg. 2006.

About the Author

Emanuel Swedenborg (1688-1772) was a Swedish scientist, nobleman, and theologian who spent his life investigating the mysteries of the soul. Born in Stockholm to a staunchly Lutheran family, he graduated from the University of Uppsala and then traveled to England, Holland, France, and Germany to study the leading scientists of the time. He gained favor with Sweden’s King Charles XII, who gave him the position of overseer of the Swedish mining industry. Later, he was given a seat on the Swedish House of Nobles by Charles XII’s successor, Queen Ulrika Eleonora. Between 1743 and 1745 he began to have visions of heaven, hell, and Jesus Christ which resulted in a stream of books about the nature of God, the afterlife, and the inner meaning of the Bible. He devoted the last decades of his life to studying Scripture and presenting his own unique theology to the world.

 

Jonathan S. Rose is the series editor of the New Century Edition, an ongoing project that incorporates the latest scholarship to produce a modern, accessible translation of Emanuel Swedenborg’s theological works. Holder of a B.A. and a M.Div. in religion and a M.A. and a Ph.D. in Latin, he has worked for years in the study of Neo-Latin and in Swedenborgian research. He was both chaplain and a tenured professor of religion and sacred languages at Bryn Athyn College before taking on his current position.

Reviews

“This freshly translated work is of the most profound significance for anyone interested in understanding Swedenborg’s thought. In my judgment, it is essential for both students and scholars, who will find it both a fascinating read and an invaluable addition to the field. The comprehensive and illuminating preface, introduction, and notes bring new insights to the text and its contents; they are truly distinctive contributions that make this edition of True Christianity a must for any good library.”

—Dr. Antoine Faivre, professor emeritus of History of Esoteric and Mystical Currents in Modern and Contemporary Europe, Sorbonne

“True Christianity is the capstone of Swedenborg’s thought and probably the best summation of his theology. It is invaluable for understanding the deeper meaning of Christianity. This new version, the best ever produced, presents this magisterial work with clarity and grace. The notes and introduction are not only helpful but fascinating.”

—Richard Smoley, author of Inner Christianity: A Guide to the Esoteric Tradition and Forbidden Faith: The Gnostic Legacy

About the New Century Edition

The New Century Edition of the Works of Emanuel Swedenborg presents a modern-language, scholarly translation of Swedenborg’s theological works. The series’ easy-to-read style retains the dignity, variety, clarity, and gender-inclusive language of Swedenborg’s original Latin, bringing his thought to life. Introductions and annotations by eminent, international scholars place Swedenborg’s writings in their historical context and illuminate obscure references within the text, enabling readers to understand and trace Swedenborg’s influence as never before.

Learn more about the New Century Edition

New Century Edition Subscriptions

If you would like to receive each hardcover Deluxe volume as it comes out, you can become a New Century Edition subscriber.

All subscribers get 30% off the purchase price. Instead of $29.95 per volume, you will be billed $20.95, plus shipping.

If you become a member of the Swedenborg Foundation for $25, you will also receive an additional 20% discount on this and all other purchases of books published by the Swedenborg Foundation when you order from us. When ordered as part of a subscription, the New Century Edition volumes will then cost $14.95 each, plus shipping.

To enroll for a subscription, phone the Foundation at 610-430-3222, ext 109, or e-mail us at info@swedenborg.com. Include your name, address, city, state, zip, home phone, work phone, and e-mail address with your request. Please also let us know whether or not you wish to purchase any of the volumes that have already been published. You may subscribe for the full series or only for the remaining volumes that have not yet been published.

With a subscription, you will receive with our compliments the companion to the New Century Edition, sold separately for $29.95: Emanuel Swedenborg: Essays for the New Century Edition on His Life, Works, and Impact. You may cancel your subscription at any time without penalty and keep the premium Essays volume as our gift.

Contents of the Deluxe Edition

Translator’s Preface, by Jonathan S. Rose

Works Cited in the Translator’s Preface
Selected List of Editions of True Christianity

On True Christianity: An Introduction to Swedenborg’s Most Comprehensive and Systematic Theological Writing from the Standpoint of the Religion of His Contemporaries, by R. Guy Erwin

Works Cited in the Introduction

Short Titles and Other Conventions Used in This Work

Volume 1

The Faith of the New Heaven and the New Church
Chapter 1: God the Creator

The Oneness of God
The Underlying Divine Reality or Jehovah
The Infinity of God: His Immensity and Eternity
The Essence of God: Divine Love and Wisdom
God’s Omnipotence, Omniscience, and Omnipresence
The Creation of the Universe

Chapter 2: The Lord the Redeemer

Redemption

Chapter 3: The Holy Spirit and the Divine Action

The Divine Trinity

Chapter 4: Sacred Scripture, the Word of the Lord

Chapter 5: The Catechism, or Ten Commandments, Explained in Both Its Outer and Its Inner Meanings

Chapter 6: Faith

Chapter 7: Goodwill (or Loving Our Neighbor) and Good Actions

Notes

Notes
Works Cited in the Notes
Biographical Note

Additional information

Author

Emanuel Swedenborg
Translator

Jonathan S. Rose
Foreword

R. Guy Erwin
Format

deluxe hardcover, deluxe paperback, portable e-book, portable paperback, Audio download
ISBN

978-0-87785-407-4, 978-0-87785-484-5, 978-0-87785-485-2, 978-0-87785-603-0, 978-0-87785-683-2
Length

Deluxe: 784 pages; Portable: 574 pages
Series

New Century Edition

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