Introduction to the New Church

In the New Church, sometimes called the Swedenborgian Church, we worship the Lord God Jesus Christ. We believe that the Lord is love itself and wisdom itself, and that everyone is saved who seeks Him and lives a life in which His love and wisdom can be present. His love and wisdom come into our lives when we keep His commandments, which are all about rejecting evil and doing what is good.

The Word teaches us how to live this life—the life that leads to heaven and salvation. The Word consists of the Old Testament, the New Testament, and the Heavenly Doctrine. The books of the Heavenly Doctrine were written in the 18th century by Emanuel Swedenborg. Everything in the Old and New Testaments is a parable with a deeper meaning that shows us how to live a life of wise and loving service to the Lord and to the neighbor.

When we live a good life, our hearts and spirits are opened to the Lord’s love—the love that fills the heavens. People who chose to act from heavenly love on earth are welcomed into heaven after death; and there they continue to grow, becoming wiser and more useful forever. People who don’t want heavenly love also don’t want to live in heaven, so they make their homes in hell. Hell is not a punishment inflicted by the Lord: it is simply a place inhabited by people who love evil.

The Lord is present with every person in creation. He honors our freedom, but He is always gently guiding us towards better things. His desire is to give eternal joy to each and every one of us.