In This Issue
I
n a sermon on “The Final Victory Over Hell” the Rev. James P. Cooper
describes how the Lord “removed hell from mankind by breaking its power”
over us and giving us another path to choose by teaching us the way to heaven.
But all of this doesn’t mean anything if we don’t put these teachings to use in
our daily lives. (Page 123)
In a sermon on “The Eternity of Marriage,” the Rev. Brett D. Buick says,
“Just as the Pharisees sought to destroy the definition of marriage 2,000 years
ago, the hells are at work today trying to do the same thing.” And the Lord’s
message to the Pharisees about the sacredness of marriage is the same as it is
for us today. “It is a message for all time and all challenges to marriage.” (Page
129)
This year’s Boynton Beach Retreat fell into a natural theme of past, present
and future. Dr. Martha Gyllenhaal took a look back to “Art and Religion
in History,” especially from a New Church perspective. The Rev. Mark D.
Pendleton focused on where we are today with a program he has developed
using the steps of regeneration to “Begin a New Life.” Curtis Childs provided
a glimpse into the future with videos he is producing for the Swedenborg
Foundation which are attracting a following all over the world and offer hope
for the spread of the Church. (Page 135)
Brian Blair, the new President of Bryn Athyn College, gave the banquet
address at the Boynton Beach Retreat on the current state of the College and
ambitious plans for growth and development. “It is indeed exciting,” he said,
“to see how a culture and environment are being developed where students
begin to appreciate what is special about Bryn Athyn College as well as the
Bryn Athyn community.” (Page 143)
In a memorial address for B. Reade Genzlinger, who died in a plane crash
in January, the Rev. Kurt Hy. Asplundh noted the qualities that served him in
this life and will serve him in the spiritual world as well: caring devotion to
others, calm dependability, intellectual curiosity and good judgment. In his
service to the Church, Academy, community, organizations and family he was
the epitome of the good and faithful servant. (Page 149)
The Rev. Kenneth J. Alden writes about “A Stumbling Block to Sharing
Our Faith” – the warning that we are not to add anything to the Word of the
Lord. “Are we violating the Lord’s law,” he asks, “in accepting the theological
writings of Emanuel Swedenborg as Divine revelation?” But he offers six points
107