new church life: november/december 2017
Fortunately for us, we have a beautiful collection of genuine truths in
the Heavenly Doctrines to guide us in our understanding of these Scriptures.
But what about the Heavenly Doctrines themselves? What do these teachings
imply about them and our correct approach to them?
It appears clear that guiding doctrinal concepts are still needed. Let the
following example serve to illustrate: We know that the Lord works entirely
by means of our freedom, without which we could not, as of ourselves, follow
Him to heaven. (See Heavenly Doctrine 149; True Christian Religion 485)
We can use this guiding principle to help us further understand other
teachings in the Heavenly Doctrines concerning such things as permissions
(see True Christian Religion 479ff, Divine Providence 234); the reason some
are not saved (see True Christian Religion 72, 580; Divine Providence 333); and
why we are not able to see the hand of providence as clearly as we might wish.
(Divine Providence 179, 187)
Any one of us who has studied a subject in any depth knows the rubric of
seeing some teachings in the light of others. It is tremendously helpful to us to
have a guiding set of principles – from the Word itself, and from the church’s
long-standing understanding of the Word. We are wise to interpret anything
that may seem confusing in one section in light of the overall messages of the
Word.
4. The Discipline of Research
A highly related principle to the need for doctrine is a discipline of research.
We are taught in so many ways to be students of the Word, who make it a
life-long pursuit to grow in our understanding of its messages. Consider these
teachings:
• “People moved by an affection for truth . . . examine the Word closely
with no other end in view than to see the truth itself.” (Arcana Coelestia
5432)
• “A more perfect conscience is possible with those who are more
enlightened than others in the truths of faith.” (Heavenly Doctrine 132)
• “The Word is . . . like a mine containing richer and richer veins of gems
the further one goes into it.” (True Christian Religion 245)
• “Those in the spiritual affection for truth . . . study the Word, and desire
nothing more than that they may understand it.” (Apocalypse Explained
112:4)
• The understanding that the church possesses . . . exists when people read
the Word, assiduously take one statement together with another, and
by doing so see what they ought to believe and what they ought to do.
(Arcana Coelestia 6222:3)
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