The Precursor
July 2001
Emotional Good without Truth
We continue our annual custom of publishing in our July-August issue an excerpt from a work of New Church literature from the past. This time we turn to a book entitled Spirits and Men, by the Rev. Hugo Lj. Odhner (Lancaster Press, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 1978), pages 112-113.
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Emotional Good without Truth
It is a matter of common observation that even good men are often misled. If we stop to reflect, we find that the impulse which is thus misdirected is usually "good without truth"; and especially natural good, such as pity or generosity or "sentimentality."
All men are endowed by nature (or heredity) with inclinations toward certain "goods" or virtues. Some are by nature brave, others seem to be born cautious and meek. Some are naturally generous or affectionate, loyal or trusting, apt to be guided by family feeling, friendship, love of ease, social praise or pleasure. Various circumstances may also encourage the development of certain good natural traits. Yet the Writings teach us to distrust our "natural good." Not only does it hide the evils of selfishness under a pleasant exterior, but it makes self-examination difficult. Man is apt to take a good deal of credit for his "natural good"; when yet he is no more responsible for it than an animal is for its instinctive nature. We are also warned that natural good is like a reed, on which it is dangerous to lean. It is fickle, deceptive, easily bent. It lays a man open to all sorts of influences. It can turn us to defend evil, it weakens the judgment. It is easily swayed and persuaded. It receives the influx of evil spirits, and thus works harm which we may not intend.
Good, when undisciplined by truth and antagonistic to instruction, is not really good, but is a mere emotionalism. It must therefore be tutored, guided, held under control, made to serve under rational principles. The doctrine is, that "those who are not as yet in truths, are not in safety'' (SD 5714, AC 6769, DLW 253).
True faith, faith in true doctrine, gives protection. The general doctrines of the New Church are compared to the four walls of the New Jerusalem, into which there shall not enter anything that defileth or maketh a lie. Doctrine protects against evil spirits and their false persuasions. It is doctrine which leads to salvation, with gentiles and babes as well as with adult members of the Church.
In the world of spirits, those who are not in any doctrine but are led hither and thither by their emotions and fantasies cannot dwell in cities. Cities there impose a certain restrictive order. Evil spirits untutored by the self-restraining influence of doctrines or common principles cannot enter the cities, or, if they do, can only traverse the public streets. But in the less inhabited regions around the towns they feel more free to carry out their impulses. Cities represent doctrines. Yet cities in the other life may represent doctrines that are vitiated by falsities. If so, the protection which they give is only temporary. There is no permanent safety against infesting spirits, no permanent salvation except in true doctrine (ibid.).
Editorial (c) 2001 by Patrick A. Rose.
Unless otherwise noted, all events are at the church building. Classes for those in high school and for younger children are available upon request.
The Reading Discussion group meets normally twice a month. We are currently reading from the Old and New Testaments during our sessions. There is no advance reading, but please bring a Bible with you.
If you are scheduled for a specific job and are unable to be there, please could you find a substitute, and, if possible, notify the pastor in advance. Thank you.
Sat. July 7 General
Doctrinal Class. 7:30pm. Subject: "Worship." Workshop. No suggested advance reading. Refreshments: Dinah.
Sun. July 8 Divine Worship. 11:00am. Usher: Max. Sunday School: Pat. Sunday School Subject: See Jane. Flowers: Dinah.
Mon. July 9 Swedenborg Reading Group. 7:30 pm. Books and Co. 350 E. Stroop Road, Kettering, Ohio. Contact Jane Blair, (937) 859-4466, or the bookstore, at (937) 298-6540. Refreshments served. Coffee available at the cafe. This group provides a forum for those who have encountered the work of Emanuel Swedenborg and wish to know more. Everybody is invited and welcome.
Tues. July 10 Reading Discussion Group. 7:30pm. Bring along a Bible. No advance reading.
Wed. July 11 Pastor's Council. 7:30pm.
Sat. July 21 General Doctrinal Class. 7:30pm. Subject: "Worship." Workshop. No suggested advance reading. Refreshments: Dinah.
Sun. July 22 Divine Worship. 11:00am. Usher: Dion. Sunday School: Jane. Sunday School Subject: See Jane. Flowers: Dinah.
Mon. July 23 Swedenborg Reading Group. 7:30 pm. Books and Co. 350 E. Stroop Road, Kettering, Ohio. Contact Jane Blair, (937) 859-4466, or the bookstore, at (937) 298-6540. Refreshments served. Coffee available at the cafe. This group provides a forum for those who have encountered the work of Emanuel Swedenborg and wish to know more. Everybody is invited and welcome.
Tues. July 24 Reading Discussion Group. 7:30pm. Bring along a Bible. No advance reading.
Wed. July 25 Trustees. 7:30pm.
Thurs. July 26 Lay Service Program Planning Committee. 7:30pm. Blairs.
No Services or Classes in August.
Address Change
Shirley and James Reischman are delighted that Stacy and Lorenzo Arballo and their two children, Shyann and Sean have moved from North Carolina to Louisville, KY. Lorenzo will be head of the Marine recruiting branch in Clarksville, IN, a suburb of Louisville. Shirley and James look forward to seeing a lot more of their grandchildren!
Stacy and Lorenzo Arballo
[Address and phone number available from editor]
Thanks
I would like to say thank you to the society for the basket of goodies I was given when I was sick with pneumonia recently. I appreciated both the gift and most especially the thought behind it. Thank you.
Patrick.
