Is Swedenborg a Universalist?
Swedenborg speaks of universal principles of religion from a Christian standpoint but the term “Universalist” has come to refer to a set of beliefs that are distinctly not part of Swedenborg’s doctrine/theology. Some of the universals of religion are as follows: “That God is one, and that there is a conjunction of charity and faith” (Soul and Body n. 20). Also, “This only One and very Self is omnipresent, omniscient and omnipotent. This also every Christian acknowledges from his doctrine and every gentile from his religion. In consequence, wherever he is, a man thinks that God is there and that he prays to God at hand; thinking and praying so, men cannot but think that God is everywhere, that is, omnipresent [in all places at all times]; likewise omniscient [all knowing] and omnipotent [all powerful]. Everyone praying to God, therefore, implores Him from the heart to lead him because He can lead him; thus he acknowledges the divine omnipresence, omniscience and omnipotence, doing so in