Home

**Theology 526 Home**

Preface

The purpose of these notes is to help students gain an understanding of the human mind, as presented in the theological writings of Emanuel Swedenborg (aka “the Writings”). The subject is large and there are many facets that we do not touch on here. The effort is to gain a solid framework, and provide exposure to the source-material. This will enable students to make progress in applying the principles and concepts to specific areas of interest and concern.

We begin with purpose: what is the Lord’s purpose in creating the human mind? (chapter 1) And we move from there to considering His plan for achieving that purpose. How did He design the human mind? What does it need to do? What characteristics must it have? How do these determine its basic structure? (chapter 2) How does the Lord work with the mind on an ongoing basis to provide for its life and its freedom to respond? How does He sustain it and interact with it? (chapter 3)

What is the condition of the mind at birth? Where do we begin? Clearly we are initially helpless and ignorant and must grow and learn many things before we can fulfill the Lord’s purpose. Our native penchant is clearly to be self-centered. How does the Lord provide for a transformation from this state to one of intelligence, wisdom, and unselfish love? There are some basic conditions of spirit that we must face, and some basic provisions through which we can be transformed. (chapter 4) The mind is created to make a gradual ascent by degrees or levels through learning. (chapter 5) And there are predictable stages through which the Lord leads us, bringing us to maturity and the full use of our faculties. (chapter 6)

In chapter 7 we consider a unique set of concepts on the link between our mental states and the states of spirits and angels in the spiritual world. The Lord provides that we be led through the unseen influence of people in that world.

The business of life is to choose what we will love. That choice involves coming to a clear awareness of what we are choosing to be motivated by and confirming that choice through our understanding. In this way we establish a “ruling love” which is our final state of mental development. (chapter 8)

In our final chapter (chapter 9)we look at the ultimate basis of the mind in the natural world. The mind takes form in the material substances of this world and grows through its response to external stimuli. The body is an organic form that miraculously corresponds to the mind, and makes our interaction with the world possible.

Each chapter is prefaced with a date indicated “draft.” These notes are really a work in progress. In some places they are still a bit uneven—providing too many passages from the Writings, or too few (though in most cases that is unavoidable), or providing too much or too little explanation on my part. And there are areas where more pertinent concepts could be added. There is certainly repetition, which has its useful aspects but may seem tedious. In any case, my hope is that these notes will provide an entryway and a resource for further exploration and especially application to areas that the student has expertise and interest exceeding my own.