Emanuel Swedenborg

Heaven and Its Wonders and Hell (Dodo Press) Emanuel Swedenborg

Emanuel Swedenborg, born Emanuel Swedberg (1688-1772) was a Swedish scientist, philosopher, Christian mystic and theologian. Emanuel studied physics, mechanics, and philosophy, read and wrote poetry. He had a prolific career as an inventor and scientist. In 1715 he devoted himself to natural science and engineering projects for the next two decades. From 1716 to 1718 Swedenborg published a scientific periodical entitled Daedalus Hyperboreus (The Nordic Daedalus). At the age of fifty-six he entered into a spiritual phase, in which he experienced dreams and visions. This culminated in a spiritual awakening, where he claimed he was appointed by the Lord to write a heavenly doctrine to reform Christianity. For the remaining 28 years of his life, he wrote and published 18 theological works, of which the best known was Heaven and Hell (1758) and several unpublished theological works. His other works include: Angelic Wisdom Concerning the Divine Love and the Divine Wisdom (1763), Angelic Wisdom About Divine Providence, Spiritual Life and the Word of God and Heaven and its Wonders and Hell.