Divine Providence

Divine Providence is one of the major works of the Enlightenment scientist and religious seer Emanuel Swedenborg. It provides a coherent and satisfying solution to what has been called “the problem of evil”: How are God’s goodness and power reconcilable with evil’s presences in the larger world and in the human mind and heart? By tackling an array of issues that commonly undermine belief in God, including war, suffering, and inequality—and by revealing the wise and loving laws that lie hidden behind these seemingly senseless phenomena—Divine Providence aims to restore our faith in the meaningfulness of the world. Despite its universal focus, Divine Providence is also a highly practical book on the personal level, demonstrating how we can put aside negative attitudes and behaviors and grow into positive thought and action.

This volume contains an introduction by Gregory R. Johnson that puts the work in the context of the history of philosophy.

The New Century Edition of the Works of Emanuel Swedenborg is a modern-language, scholarly translation of Swedenborg’s theological works. The series’ easy-to-read style retains the dignity, variety, clarity, and gender-inclusive language of Swedenborg’s original Latin, bringing his thought to life. Introductions and annotations by eminent, international scholars place Swedenborg’s writings in their historical context and illuminate obscure references within the text, enabling readers to understand and trace Swedenborg’s influence as never before.

Both age-old and pressing in the wake of 9 / 11 is the question of how the existence of God can be reconciled with the existence of radical evil. Swedenborg's masterpiece Divine Providence takes on that question and explains how God's greatest gift to humanity, our freedom, mandates that God permit evil. However, with every evil act comes the possibility of its transmutation into a higher good, and that possibility depends on how it is received by those whom the evil impacts. Swedenborg's answers turn us to a deeper understanding of our own human nature and process, and strengthen our trust that there is a providence in our circumstances, though it is rarely visible in the moment.

About the Author:
Emanuel Swedenborg (1688-1772), a truly remarkable visionary, began his career as a Swedish mining official and member of parliament and became well known throughout Europe as a scientist and prolific writer on scientific and philosophical subjects. After a series of profound religious experiences during midlife, he devoted the remaining twenty-seven years of his life to being a Aservant of the Lord@ and wrote energetically to communicate a spiritual vision of reality. Since then, the rigid theologies of the eighteenth century have steadily yielded, and the foresighted lucidity of his perspective has gained widening recognition. The fresh and contemporary appeal of Swedenborg=s insights arises from the respect he showed for all religious faiths that stress a useful and loving life.

Gregory R Johnson Johnson received his Ph.D. in philosophy from the Catholic University of America.