Emanuel Swedenborg

From Lights of Guidance (to categorize)

The Teachings of Swedenborg and Emerson Should be Considered as Advanced Stirrings of the Time

"… The teachings of such spiritually enlightened souls as Swedenborg, Emerson, and others should be considered as the advanced stirrings in the minds of great souls foreshadowing that Revelation which was to break upon the world through the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh. Anything they say which is not substantiated by the Teachings, however, we cannot regard as absolute truth, but merely as the reflection of their own thoughts."

(From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to an individual believer, May 6, 1943, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1719)

Emanuel Swedenborg

"In connection with your question regarding the reference made by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to 'His Highness Emanuel' in Vol. III of His Tablets, this obviously refers to the Báb as the text shows it clearly and is in no way a reference to Swedenborg."

(From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to an individual believer, May 9, 1938: Bahá’í News, No. 134, March 1940, p. 2, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1720)

‘Abdu’l-Bahá Praised Emanual Swedenborg for his Efforts for Social and Religious Reconstruction

"…concerning Emanuel Swedenborg and his writings: While ‘Abdu’l-Bahá praised the man and his noble efforts for social and religious reconstruction there is nothing in the Master's Writings that can justify the believers in giving him any special station or importance beside that of an enlightened and constructive thinker of wide spiritual vision. There can be therefore no official Bahá’í attitude in respect of the man or his work."

(From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to an individual believer, October 7, 1939, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1721)

Because of the Progressiveness of the Teachings of Swedenborg He can be Considered a Herald of this Day

"Regarding your questions: The rational faculty is a manifestation of the power of the soul. The soul is the mirror of reflection. Swedenborg, because of the extreme progressiveness of his teachings may, in a way, be considered a herald of this Day. There is nothing definite in the Teachings concerning the subconscious mind's relation to the spirit of man."

(From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to an individual believer, September 26, 1943, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1722)