The essentials of the Church

My religion is called the New Church. Here are some favorite quotes, first from the Bible, and then from the Writings of Emanuel Swedeborg:
First from Matthew, the two great commandments: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets" (Matt 22:37-40)
The two essentials of the church are to love the Lord, and to love our neighbors; to be charitable and thoughful towards all of humanity, to wish everyone well.
Now from the Writings of Swedenborg: "“In the Christian world it is doctrinal matters that distinguish churches; and from them people call themselves Roman Catholics, Lutherans, and Calvinists, or the Reformed and the Evangelical, and by other names. [We in the New Church might insert here: Kemptonites, Bryn Athynites, Happy Clappy types, Pillar Huggers, People who like contemporary services, People who like traditional services, People who go to Laurel Camp, people who go to Jacob’s Creek Camp, General Church, Convention, Conference, Swedenborgian, The Lord’s New Church, etc.] It is from what is doctrinal alone that they are so called; which would never be if they would make love to the Lord, and charity toward the neighbor the principal of faith. Doctrinal matters would then be only varieties of opinion concerning the mysteries of faith, which truly Christian people would leave to every one to hold in accordance with their conscience, and would say in their hearts, that a person is truly a Christian when they live as a Christian, that is, as the Lord teaches. Thus from all the differing churches there would be made one church; and all the dissensions that come forth from doctrine alone would vanish; yea, all hatreds of one against another would be dissipated in a moment, and the Lord’s kingdom would come upon earth.” (Heavenly Secrets 1799)
So true charity, true love towards the Lord and the neighbor, is not only the core of the church, but the life of a church. For without true charity, a church naturally splinters, shatters, and dies.
My own local church society is currently divided on the doctrinal issue of what forms of worship are appropriate. I hope and pray that we can come to know that even within one society we can have differing opinions and different forms of worship, and yet still be united in true Christian charity, and focused on seeing the good in everyone.

First Blog Ever

Hello. This is Solomon Keal. I am a Solo Piano Artist, Composer, Songwriter, and Recording Engineer. I am also a husband and father. I am also a religious person, and my religion is called the New Church. This blog page will be dedicated to thoughts about the above mentioned parts of my life.