Editorials
the authority of the writings
The New Church is not an authoritarian church. In fact, the Writings speak
negatively about a “sphere of authority” because it takes away freedom. (Arcana
Coelestia 1507) And believing things just because someone in authority says to
believe them is a merely natural faith. (Ibid. 8078.3)
But this is speaking of human authority – the kind some human beings
impose upon others. Such authority is likely to be tainted by the love of
dominion, and its wisdom is constrained by the limits and flaws of human
reason.
The authority the Lord wields by means of His Word is different. It is
an expression of Divine love, and respect