“The Lord had said to Abram, ‘Leave your country, your people, and your
father’s household, and go to the land I will show you . . . . And all peoples on
earth will be blessed through you.’” (Genesis 12.1,3)
On behalf of Bryn Athyn College’s faculty and staff, our best wishes go
with you and with your families and we look forward eagerly to your receiving
your degrees and to embracing you and shaking your hands. Well done.
Allen J. Bedford received his Bachelor’s degree from Bryn
Athyn College and his Master’s and PhD from Temple
University. He had taught chemistry at the College and now
is Dean of Academics. He and his wife, Gillian (Gladish), live
in Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania. Contact: allen.bedford@
brynathyn.edu
O U R N E W C H U RC H V O C A B U L A R Y
Part of a continuing series developed by the Rev. W. Cairns Henderson, 1961-1966.
GOD
By God is meant in the supreme sense the Divine above the heavens, which is the Divine
good; in the internal sense the Divine in the heavens, which is the Divine truth, is meant. The
distinction made here rests on the fact that Divine truth proceeds from Divine good, makes
heaven, and arranges it.
It should be noted also that God and the Father do not, in the spiritual sense, mean two
persons; God means the Divine as to wisdom, and the Father means the Divine as to love.
One of the things most characteristic of New Church terminology is that we rarely
speak of “God,” but name Him “the Lord” without the addition of other names. (See Arcana
Coelestia 14, 7268; Apocalypse Revealed 21)
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