Becker Bible Studies LibraryPeculiar Religions |
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New Jerusalem Church (Swedenborg)The New Jerusalem Church is founded on the theologian teachings and writings of Emanuel Swedenborg stating the Lord worked through Swedenborg to share His teachings about creation, life and about his life that offers a new hope for life through a clearer understanding of the Lord. Emanuel Swedenborg was born in Stockholm, Sweden in 1688. His father was the Bishop of Skara. Emanuel Swedenborg considered himself a Lutheran even though his ideas were very different than the doctrine of the church. Emanuel was a distinguished scientist and was in the House of Nobles of the parliament of Sweden. In 1743, Swedenborg had a profound religious crisis which led to trances where he accounted talks with angels, Jesus, devils and human souls who had departed (including popes and kings), as well as other theologians such as Calvin and Luther. Emanuel Swedenborg had also experienced a revelation which enabled him able to view the spirit world and was unrestricted by physical perception in 1743. He studied Hebrew and wrote on subjects that were revealed to him. For further study, refer our detailed New Jerusalem Church (Swedenberg) report The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormon)Joseph Smith founded the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormon Church) in April 1830, ten years after he claimed to experience a vision of God and Jesus in a grove of trees near his family home in Palmyra, N.Y. He said an angel, Moroni, later led him to a buried set of gold plates inscribed with the story of a lost tribe of Israel that had settled North America. Joseph Smith's translation of the plates became known as The Book of Mormon, the first of the unique scriptures the church follows alongside the Bible. The church teaches Smith was a prophet and considers the men who succeed him as church president as the "prophet, seer and revelator" on earth for Mormons. The Presidents holds authority to convey divine guidance to church members and make direct appointment of the leaders of every regional body and local congregation worldwide. The denomination has been criticized in recent years for the practice of posthumously baptizing thousands of other faith. They falsely believe that an individuals' ability to choose a religion continues beyond the grave. The practice of polygamy among fundamentalist Mormons was officially "discontinued by revelation" by the Church, but it is still supported an practiced by some devout Mormons. Outspoken Mormon dissidents are quickly disfellowed or excommunicated when they publish or speak things against their Mormon Church. Most fundamental Christian Faithful believe that Mormons are not Christians, and thus, do not recognize Mormon baptisms. The Mormon Faithful confirm their position of faith through the teachings of Joseph Smith who taught that the Mormon Church is "the only true and living church upon the whole earth." |
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MLA Style Citation: About the Author
Joanne B. Holstein is a Becker Bible Studies teacher and author of Guided Bible Studies for Hungry Christians. She is seeking a second degree in Cultural and Social Anthropology after completing her study of Psychology/Christian and Bible Counseling. She is well-known as a counsleor to Christian faithful who are struggling with tremendous burden in these difficult times. She is a leading authority on the history of development of the Christian churches and the practices and beliefs of world religions and cults. |
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