From The Doctrines For Spiritual Christianity
There is only one substance which really is substance. Everything else is a formation from it, and that one and only substance reigns not solely as the form but as that too which is not the form (lit non form), for instance, as that which gave rise to them. If this were not so, what has been formed could not remain in being and operate. But these matters are stated for him who may be able to understand them. (Arcana Coelestia 7270)
Everyone who thinks in the light of clear reason sees that the universe was not created out of nothing, since he sees that something cannot be produced from nothing. For nothing is nothing, and to make something out of nothing is self-contradictory. Furthermore, anything that is self-contradictory is contrary to the light of truth that emanates from Divine wisdom, and whatever does not accord with Divine wisdom also does not accord with the Divine omnipotence.Everyone who thinks in the light of clear reason also sees that all created things have been created from a substance which is substance in itself, for this is being itself, from which can spring all things that are. Consequently, because God alone is substance in itself, and so being itself, it follows that the origin of things is from no other source. Many people have seen this, because reason grants them to see it. But they have not dared to assert it, fearing that if they did so they might perhaps end up thinking that the created universe, being from God, is God, or that nature exists from itself, and thus that its inmost component is what we call God. As a result, even though many have seen that the origin of all things is from no other source than God and His being, still they have not dared to venture beyond their first thought concerning it, lest they entangle their understanding in a so-called Gordian knot from which they would afterward be unable to extricate it. They would be unable to extricate their understanding for the reason that they have thought of God and about the creation of the universe by God in terms of time and space, which are properties of nature, and no one can comprehend God and the creation of the universe from the perspective of nature. On the other hand, everyone whose understanding possesses some inner light can comprehend nature and its creation from the perspective of God, because God does not exist in time and space. (That the Divine does not exist in space may be seen in nos. 7-10 above. That the Divine fills every space and interval of space in the universe independently of space, in nos. 69-72. And that the Divine is present through all time independently of time, in nos. 69-72.) In subsequent discussions we will see that although God created the universe and all its constituents out of Himself, still there is not the least particle in the created universe that is God. (Divine Love and Wisdom 283{1&2})
Key Points From The Video
Divine Esse as Essential Substance and Form: Spiritual Christianity describes the Divine Esse, or Jehovah, as Essential Substance and Essential Form, abstracted from spatial and material attributes.
Non-Physical Substance: Unlike physical substance, which is perceptible or serves as a substratum for material properties, Divine Substance transcends space and time, existing as the universal sustaining principle of all creation.
Universal Substance: Jehovah is the Universal Substance, the origin and sustainer of all creation, without being confined to spatial properties or the substratum of natural objects.
Sustaining Life: The concept of substance in the Divine context signifies the non-progressive, sustaining life from which all created beings derive their existence.
Distinction Between Creator and Creation: Spiritual Christianity emphasises that attributing spatial or material properties to the Divine reduces Him to the level of finite beings, thus failing to recognise His supreme and transcendent nature.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. What does Spiritual Christianity mean by the term ‘Essential Substance’ in relation to the Divine?
a) A physical entity that can be touched and seen.
b) The underlying material of all physical objects.
c) The universal sustaining principle beyond space and time.
d) The sum of all natural substances.
Answer: c)
2. How does Spiritual Christianity’s view of Divine Substance differ from common physical understandings of substance?
a) Divine Substance can be observed through scientific instruments.
b) Divine Substance exists within the properties of matter.
c) Divine Substance is similar to a physical substratum.
d) Divine Substance is abstracted from spatial and physical attributes.
Answer: d)
3. Why does Spiritual Christianity reject the idea of God as a substratum for natural properties?
a) Because it implies that God has a physical form.
b) Because it limits God to the realm of finite beings.
c) Because it suggests that God evolves over time.
d) Because it equates God with physical objects.
Answer: b)
4. What is meant by Jehovah being the ‘Universal Substance’?
a) Jehovah is the non-physical origin and sustainer of all creation.
b) Jehovah is composed of all substances in the universe.
c) Jehovah is a collection of various natural elements.
d) Jehovah occupies infinite space within the universe.
Answer: a)
5. How does Spiritual Christianity’s concept of the Divine Esse emphasise the difference between the Creator and creation?
a) By stating that the Creator and creation are essentially the same.
b) By attributing spatial and temporal properties to the Creator.
c) By defining the Creator as beyond spatial and material constraints.
d) By suggesting that the Creator evolves like the creation.
Answer: c)
Reflective Questions
1. How does the idea of the Divine Esse as the Essential Substance and Form challenge or deepen your current understanding of the nature of God?
• Reflect on how this perspective might influence your view of the relationship between the Divine and the physical universe.
2. In what ways does viewing the Divine Esse as the universal sustaining life alter your perception of existence and creation?
• Consider how this concept could change your approach to understanding the origins and continuities of life and being.
3. How might the abstraction of substance, that is, from having physical attributes, impact your spiritual practices or beliefs?
• Think about how this abstraction might affect your personal connection with the Divine or your interpretation of spiritual teachings.
Meditative Exercise
Spend 10-15 minutes in a quiet and comfortable setting to meditate on the idea of the Divine Esse as the Essential Substance. Visualise the concept of a non-physical, sustaining presence that is the source of all existence but is itself free from spatial and material limitations. Write down any insights or shifts in understanding that occur during this visualisation.
Steps:
- Sit comfortably in a quiet place and close your eyes.
- Take several deep breaths to centre yourself.
- Imagine a formless, boundless presence that sustains all life and creation.
- Reflect on this presence as the source of all being, without any physical or spatial constraints.
- Note any thoughts or insights that arise from this meditation.
Creative Integration
Choose one of the key points from the video and try to express and integrate it creatively through your senses. Pick a modality to do this through, perhaps a different one from what you have chosen previously. Consider drawing or painting, making or listening to music, poetry, exercise, gardening, cooking, or even just watching the colourful or dramatic impressions of the natural world. There are so many ways you can engage with it. Record your insights from this exercise and also document any differences in what is awakened in you with this new modality.
You will have your own personal preferences, but here are two pieces of music and art that you might like to use for inspiration to get you started. Try to be sensitive to the emotions and thoughts that present as you engage with these, and reflect on how this might relate to your chosen key point.
Music
“Romance for violin and orchestra F minor opus 1” by Anton Dvorák
Visual Art
“Abstract Landscape 1951” by Helen Frankenthaler
Further Exploration
Listen to the audio recording of the book Spiritual Christianity. Collected from the theological works of Emmanuel Swedenborg by Charles Augustus Tulk which is what this short course series is based on.
Listen HERE to Spiritual Christianity: Chapter 1-Part 4 (YouTube channel)