The Precursor
October 2000
As We Read His Word
THE SPIRITUAL SENSE is present within the sense of the letter, the Writings say, as the thought is present within the eyes, or the affection is present within the face (TCR 194). We all know what it is like when we are listening to someone we know, someone we are close to. We focus not so much upon his actual words, but upon the thought within them, and the feeling with which he expresses himself. We look into his eyes, and understand what he is thinking about. We see his face, and we know what he is feeling. And a similar thing happens when somebody approaches the Lord in the Word, and approaches with humility. He senses something of the Lord's wisdom, and feels to some degree the warmth of His love. This is something he will miss completely if, for example, he is thinking, not of the Lord Jesus Christ, but of three separate Divine Persons; he will not sense this if he lacks humility and is admiring his own intelligence. But when a humble person approaches the Lord in His Word, something truly wonderful occurs, or can occur. In some small way he actually sees the Lord -- sees His wisdom, and feels His love.
This is no ordinary wisdom, no ordinary love. That very wisdom which created the universe itself is contained within and expressed through the Word of God. That very love which underlies all creation, and which reaches out, in infinite fullness, to every single human being in the universe -- this very love is within the words of Divine Revelation.
The spiritual sense is not somehow separate from the letter of the Word. It is the spirit of the letter. Without the literal sense, we are taught, the Word would not really be the Word (TCR 214).
And so these books the Lord has given us are truly amazing for in them the Lord Himself is speaking to us, with infinite wisdom, and infinite love. This is why it is that the spiritual sense, the spirit of the Lord's words, is both hidden within, and also expressed by, the literal sense. We might sometimes wonder, with some sense of frustration, why it is that the letter of the Word is so obscure? We might, for example, be reading from Leviticus, about the laws regarding leprosy. Why is the Lord talking this way in His Word? Of course, we realize that there is an internal sense within these words, and by means of the explanations given in the Writings, we can come to understand something of this internal sense. The Writings, it could be said, explain and reveal, rather than contain and conceal, the internal sense. But even what is said in the Writings can, in some places, seem difficult and obscure. Why doesn't what the Lord says seem more clear?
Consider, though, what we are really doing when we are listening to the Lord in His Word. We are approaching the Lord Himself -- His wisdom, and His love, both of which are, in themselves, infinite. It is worth asking ourselves the question -- if we should come face to face with infinite wisdom, how would that wisdom appear? It might so overpower our minds -- so overwhelm our thoughts -- that it would destroy us. On the other hand, it might be so far above our understanding, that we would fail to recognize it, fail to understand it. It would seem obscure, and at times unintelligible. The fact is, we do indeed come face to face with infinite wisdom -- for this is what the Word is. Now the infinite wisdom of the Word does not destroy us. The Lord has accommodated it in such a way that we might be protected from destruction. We instead behold this infinite wisdom, and at times fail to understand it, and fail to recognize it for what it is.
Whatever obscurity appears to us when we read the Word is not in the Word. It is in ourselves. Our minds are finite, and are not only finite, but are also obscured by all kinds of misconceptions. Indeed, it is of the mercy of the Lord that we do not fully understand everything that we read -- for the consequence would be the total destruction of the human mind. A finite mind cannot contain infinite wisdom. At the same time, though, the Lord, through His Word, makes it possible for us to receive, in a way accommodated to our finite and very feeble minds, a small measure of His wisdom and His love.
As we read His Word, and as we turn to Him in complete humility, He can bless us with the light of His wisdom, and with the warmth of His love. The Word might seem, to the merely natural person, to be an obscure, and often frustrating document -- something of dubious value. But in reality the Word of God is nothing other than the Divine wisdom and Divine love of the Lord Himself. It is so full of life, and so full of power, that if we turn to it in humility, then the Lord can, through His Word, bless us with His love and wisdom to all eternity.
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. Oct. 7 General Doctrinal
Class. 7:30pm. Subject: The Great Luminaries. Suggested reading is AC 30-38 [Arcana
Coelestia]. Refreshments: Pat.
Sun. Oct. 8 Divine Worship. 11:00am. Holy Supper Service. Usher:
Donald. Sunday School: Shirley. Sunday School Subject: Genesis Chapter 3. Sower Notes "The Serpent,"
pages 11-13. Flowers: Pat.
Tues. Oct. 10 Reading Discussion Group. 7:30pm. Bring along a Bible.
No advance reading.
Sat. Oct. 14 Privately sponsored event. 10:00am. Homeopathic Study
Group. All welcome.
Wed. Oct. 18 Trustees. 7:30pm.
Sat. Oct. 21 General Doctrinal Class. 7:30pm. Subject: Living Things.
Suggested reading is AC 39-63. Refreshments: Pat.
Sun. Oct. 22 Divine Worship. 11:00am. Usher: Dion. Sunday School:
Gillian. Sunday School Subject: Genesis Chapter 6. Sower Notes "The Ark," pages 16-17. Flowers: Pat.
Tues. Oct. 24 Reading Discussion Group. 7:30pm. Bring along a Bible.
No advance reading.
Thurs. Oct. 26 Swedenborg Book Club. 7:30pm. Kettering, Ohio. See
elsewhere in this issue for details.
Sun. Oct. 29 Clocks BACK one hour.
Swedenborg Book Club
Thursday, October 26, 7:30 PM
Books & Co. 350 E. Stroop Rd.
Town and Country Shopping Center
Kettering, Ohio
This first meeting -- the first of four -- will be organizational: deciding which book of Emanuel Swedenborg's
to read, the format, and getting to know each other a little over a good cup of coffee. If possible, please bring
a couple of titles you already own.
This is being advertised to the public, and is not envisioned as a doctrinal study per se. In fact, it may be very
secular in nature. Only dates and location are definite: four Thursday evenings: Oct. 26, Nov. 2, 9 and 30th, always
at Books & Co. If coming from Cincinnati, you may come to Max and Jane Blair's home in Miamisburg, and car
pool the 15 minute drive from there. Please contact Jane with questions: [email us if you need the phone number]
New Address
Owen & Susan Dwyer
[Email us if you need this information]
News Notes
Jane Blair, and sons John and Christian took a field trip to Indianapolis
recently, enjoying a day at the 1836-styled "living history" Conner Prairie. The real highlight of the
trip, though, was spending some pleasant hours with our good friends the Dwyers, who recently moved away from Cincinnati
and bought their first home on the East side of Indy. Susan, Owen, and daughter Fiona report that they are settling
in, but are missing their life in Cincy. We want them, in turn, to know how very much we are missing the three
of them: their warmth, their cheerfulness, their thoughtful contributions to religious discussions, and Fiona's
sweet talkings during those discussions! We all hope that a two-hour drive in this world of time and space won't
be too great to keep us from these dear friends.
Patrick wishes all to know that he is now a bionic minister, having been given a new toe joint containing titanium
by the best podiatrist in Cincinnati, Dr. Michael Regan.
Helene is traveling with a retired teacher friend from Pittsburgh, expecting to explore areas of Colorado, and
maybe the Grand Canyon in Arizona.
JMB, ESG & PAR
