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could be debated . Take , for example , the so-called “ needlework ” passage in Conjugial Love . In the chapter on “ The Origin of Conjugial Love from the Marriage of Good and Truth ” we read :
With respect to the employment of the female , it can be seen that it should do with things that are works of the hands and are called sewing , needlework , and other names , which serve for decoration , for her personal adornment , and for enhancing her beauty . ( Emphasis added , Conjugial Love 91 )
Context can help us see that the goal of this passage is to define femininity as opposed to masculinity . But many of us know that this teaching has caused much debate within the Church , as to whether the intended message is about what women should do , namely learn sewing , needlework , etc ., or is using things from Swedenborg ’ s day to illustrate the deeper fundamental differences between men and women , or whether it belies a cultural bias of Swedenborg himself that is off-base in some way ?
My own way of absorbing this teaching is that it is primarily illustrative – using examples to get to a timeless truth about the complementary nature of men and women . My assessment aside , the point is that a level of interpretation comes into play with a teaching such as this one , however you might weigh its meaning .
Another test case , or series of them , comes in the form of Swedenborg ’ s direct reference to the limitations of human language :
What they were saying is beyond description . Most of it cannot be put into the words of any natural language . But because I had been myself a number of times in the company of angels in heaven , and had then used the same language as they , being in the same state , I was consequently able to understand them now and to take from their conversation some thoughts that I could express in rational terms in the words of a natural language . ( Emphasis added , Apocalypse Revealed 961 )
The subject at hand is “ the oneness of God , conjunction with Him , and so salvation .” It is a beautiful passage using a number of concepts and words to get some measure of the truth across . But the full message was “ beyond description .” The invitation , it seems , is to see something about the Lord beyond what the words themselves can convey .
Principles to Guide Our Access to Timeless Messages Hopefully by now we see the challenge , in that all forms of the Word , even the Heavenly Doctrines , require some level of interpretation , or a process of discovery , as we seek to absorb the messages the Lord delivers to us . There are , however , principles of engagement that we are called to utilize to keep ourselves successful in this regard . What follows is a list of seven such principles – not intended to be exhaustive , but to contain many of the things that the Word itself says can aid in our understanding of its teachings .
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