“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9) What does it mean to be a “Son of God”? This is a focus of the Gospel of John: But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in […]

Rev Todd Beiswenger talks about differing perspectives reconciling Divine Foresight and Human Freewill. Recorded on Friday 30 August 2024. Have you found us on other platforms? Go to: https://linktr.ee/swedenborgcommunityvic Want exclusive content, advance notice of events, and news? Sign up here: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/y6e8v6 Our website: www.swedenborgcommunityvictoria.net.au Read Swedenborg at: www.newchristianbiblestudy.org

Looking at a story found in Mark chapter 10:32-45 (also Matthew chapter 20) Chapter 10 – Events and teachings – which the Disciples consistently misunderstand (consistent in Mark’s account): The Pharisees question Jesus about divorce (disciples don’t understand, and question Jesus) Disciples rebuke those bringing little children (Jesus welcomes them) The rich young ruler (disciples […]

“Swedenborg says that Jesus is the head of heaven, and then there are 3 levels. I’ve been thinking of people who use religion and Jesus to hate their neighbour, if they will go to heaven or hell. On the one side, they love the lord, but on the other, they hate their neighbour. And Jesus […]

The story so far …  We often use “Blessings” to describe external states or end results (of wealth, happiness, prosperity etc.), but it must refer to internal states as the source of those externals, the Lord is working with the path that takes us there. To be “poor in spirit”, I realise I am without […]

Isaiah chapter 40 begins with familiar words, used by Handel in his oratorio, Messiah, and often associated with the Christmas story: “Comfort, yes, comfort My people!” But if anything, the words that end the chapter, in verse 31, are even more well-known: “But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall […]

The German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche … was a famous critic of Christianity, and thought that it needed to be transcended by modern men and women. But at the same time, he granted that there were some “advantages” to the Christian understanding of morality – advantages that were no longer operative in a more relativistic, nihilist, […]

Loving your enemies is one of the most challenging of commands ever given. But this has hidden benefits. Today, we read from Matthew chapter 5 and unpack everything that Jesus means when he teaches the true nature of love. Recorded on Sunday 5th July 2020. Matthew 5:43-48 [NKJV] “You have heard that it was said, […]

Jesus appears inconsistent in his demands for us to follow the commandments and his breaking the Sabbath laws of his time. Will a closer examination of the issues involved reconcile this dilemma and offer us greater clarity on the commandments? Recorded on Sunday 1st March 2020. Readings: Matthew 5:7-20, Luke 14:1-6 FOLLOW THE COMMANDMENTS 16 […]