If you are exploring the New Church for the first time, you might be awed by the beautiful teachings on marriage, or perhaps comforted by the hopeful images of life after death. You might be engaged by the unlocking of so many biblical stories, or perhaps you find new joy in the connections evident between the natural world and spirituality. Our focus in this issue is on the insights that New Church teachings offer in regard to religion and science.
We will explore how religion and science can not only co-exist, but build upon and compliment each other. The New Church offers a perspective where greater knowledge of religion enhances one’s experience of science and where scientific discoveries affirm the existence of an all-loving and brilliant God.
Many spiritual lessons are found in nature. I am reminded (if I pause to reflect on it!) that just as it is an appearance that the sun sets, when actually the earth is rotating, it is the same in my relationship with God. It may appear that He is moving away from me, but in reality it is I who am doing the retreating. His strong presence in my life, like the sun’s light and warmth, is constantly available to me when I turn to Him.
In this issue we explore the connection between religion and science. How can the Bible be reconciled with the facts of evolution? (p.6). Do our prayers impact the natural world? (p.12). How do the ideas Swedenborg presents connect with modern medicine? (p.16). Among these topics we also include ideas to bring your spirituality into life (p.9-10), and share with you how others have done the same (p. 8 and p.20). We invite you to explore further the harmony between science and religion.
BMK
General Church Outreach