Frequently Asked Questions on Honoring the Lord's Presence
Q. Why was God born on earth?
A. Jesus Christ’s birth and subsequent life on earth was the perfect way to teach people of all ages about the true nature of the Divine. In His life and
interaction with the sick, the poor and those who betrayed Him, we see how the Divine works with us when we brush up against evil in our lives. In His resurrection on Easter Morning we see His ultimate power over death and the heavenly kingdom He offers us all.
Q. What does the New Church teach about the Second Coming?
A. The New Church teaches that the Lord is not coming again in person, but in a new understanding of Him in the Old and New Testaments as revealed in the Writings. In the teachings of the New Church, He shows
us the true nature of God and the deeper meaning of the Bible. He teaches about marriage lasting to eternity and how we can strive to attain true married
love. These teachings can open up a new connection with the Lord and
a new way of living. It is in our accepting and living by this new body of truth that the Second Coming affects our lives.
Q. Is God really jealous and angry?
A. When we read the Old Testament we are sometimes given a view of God being angry or jealous. Let it be clearly said: God is never angry. God is pure love and wisdom and completely incapable of having anything but love towards us. The appearance of an angry God in the Old Testament was necessary for that was the only image of God the people were able to respond to at that time. They projected this image of the Lord because fear was in their hearts. The Lord loves you and never wishes any harm on you.
There is a beautiful passage in the Writings that says the Lord can’t even turn His face from us or frown on us.
Q. What is the New Church perspective on the trinity?
A. God is one. Within the human of Jesus was the Divine itself. Throughout His lifetime Jesus gradually got rid of what was merely human and took on more and more of the Divine within Him until He made His human
completely Divine. This means God is one, within whom is the Divine
Trinity, and He is the Lord God the Savior Jesus Christ (True Christianity
3.2). Just as we all have a soul, a body and the actions of our life (and are one person) so it is with God. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are names given for the soul, body and activity of the one God. One God, one divine person.
Q. How can I have a personal relationship with God?
A. Embracing a personal relationship
with God happens on many different levels. It is essential to commit
your life to following the Lord and obeying His commands. This shows up in life through prayer, reading the
Word, formal worship services and commitments such as baptism
and holy supper.