n e w c h u r c h l i f e : j u ly / au g u s t 2 0 1 6
Acceptance: We have certainly seen a number of converts from traditional
Christian denominations to the New Church, who become some of our most
enthusiastic members. Ray and Star Silverman come to mind as examples.
However, we do not see a large influx of people from this source in the North
and it seems unlikely that we will see a significant change in the dynamic in
the near future.
This is not surprising since according to the Doctrine of Holy Scripture,
“Henceforth the spiritual sense of the Word will be imparted solely to him
who is in genuine truths from the Lord. . . . Therefore in order to prevent
anybody from entering into the spiritual sense of the Word, or from perverting
the genuine truth that belongs to that sense, guards have been set by the Lord.”
We even see some of our church members leave for other Christian religions
which they find more appealing.
The Writings tell us to expect that we will see the most significant New
Church growth among Africans and not among the traditional Christian
nations. Interestingly, Jenkins gives examples of “cultural” issues such as
women in the ministry and homosexuality that lead to Africans being more
receptive to the conservative/traditional religions.
New Church doctrine is in line with many of these cultural attitudes so
it would seem natural that the New Church would see higher growth rates
in Africa. However, it is important to recognize that the New Church is not
monolithic or static in its doctrine. For instance, the General Convention does
ordain women in the ministry while the General Church and The Lord’s New
Church do not. From this one might expect that the General Church and The
Lord’s New Church will experience greater growth in the South, while the
General Convention might see higher success rates in the North, but only time
will tell. This also is a topic for another paper.
Considering the longevity of the Most Ancient, Ancient and Jewish
Churches; the text of Last Judgment 72; the growth of the Christian Church
since the Last Judgment; and the analysis that Jenkins presents, it seems
unreasonable to conclude anything else than that the Christian Church will
continue to have a significant influence in the world for the foreseeable future.
This may come as a concern to the New Churchman who might expect that
the New Church would supplant the Christian Church worldwide. However,
the Writings tell us that the Lord’s Church serves as the “heart and lungs” for
all mankind, whether he is in the church specific or not, and that angels are
present with anyone who loves the Lord and the neighbor.
Just as earlier religions remained viable after the Last Judgment resulting
from the Lord’s birth on earth and continued to provide a means for conjunction
with the Lord and heaven, we should conclude that the Christian Church will
also continue to perform this role to the degree that people are able to read the
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