CARL THEOPHILUS ODHNER [1863-1918] was a Professor of Church History, at the Academy of the New Church, Bryn Athyn, Pa.
This is a new study of the life and teachings of Michael Servetus, the Spanish physician and reformer. The chief purpose of this treatise is to bring out a systematic view of the theological doctrines of this wonderful man. It was Servetus who accused the medical profession as a whole of being “the plague of the world” because of their gross ignorance of nature and natural law, and there are some even at the present day who will agree with him.
Our readers will find here a concise, well written review of great theological interest, and nothing else can be expected from the title.
Throughout the book the author writes as the zealous advocate and apologist for Servetus in opposition to the latter's contemporary critics and calumniators. And why this zeal in behalf of Servetus? Because the author believes Servetus to have been a forerunner of Swedenborg, the founder of the "New Church," of which sect the author is an adherent. In fact, the main purpose of the author is to point out the similarity of Servetus' teachings to those of Swedenborg—the latter half of the volume consisting chiefly of selections from Servetus' writings set over against sentences from the pen of Swedenborg. The author, indeed, adduces considerable evidence in support of such a similarity of teaching, presenting thus a study in comparative theology which will be of interest to students in this field of investigation.
Professor Odhner divides his book into two parts: Part I. consisting of six short chapters on "Servetus and Calvin," Part. II. twelve short chapters on "The Theology of Michael Servetus." The writer's position may be seen from his statement on page 70, when he writes, "Servetus,— alone in the entire history of the Christian Church (before Swedenborg appeared),— discovered an approximately true definition of the Trinity." And again, "To a student of Swedenborg's works, it is manifest that Servetus came as near to the doctrine of genuine truth as could be possible to any man, short of an immediate Divine Revelation." And again, "And so also may we say, in all reverence, that among all the teachers of the Christian Church,— ancient, medieval and modern,— there has not risen one greater in the perception of truth than Michael Servetus." Very little is definitely known of Servetus, but the readers will recall Dr. William Osier's brochure on Michael Servetus, published a couple of years since. The celebrated physician there observed, "Servetus was a rank heretic, and as deserving of death as any ever tied to the stake. We can scarcely call him a martyr of the Church. What Church would own him?" Those who agree with Dr. Osier, the great majority, should in fairness read this little book now under review.
This little Swedenborgian book will show that Michael Servetus was the only man of his time capable of reforming the church and that he was prevented from doing so by the virulent hatred of John Calvin. In the first part the author tells the story of Servetus' life and death, and of John Calvin's experiences in the spiritual world as revealed by Swedenborg. The second part is given to Servetus' Theology, in which it is shown that he continued the work begun by Origen and completed by Swedenborg. He was a forerunner of Swedenborg on earth, and perhaps was charged with teaching the genuine truths of the Word to the simple souls "under the altar" in the other world, to prepare them for the Last Judgment that took place in the spiritual world in 1757. The author cites many passages from Servetus' works to show agreement with the teachings of Swedenborg.
Originally published in 1910; may contain an occasional imperfection.
This is a new study of the life and teachings of Michael Servetus, the Spanish physician and reformer. The chief purpose of this treatise is to bring out a systematic view of the theological doctrines of this wonderful man. It was Servetus who accused the medical profession as a whole of being “the plague of the world” because of their gross ignorance of nature and natural law, and there are some even at the present day who will agree with him.
Our readers will find here a concise, well written review of great theological interest, and nothing else can be expected from the title.
Throughout the book the author writes as the zealous advocate and apologist for Servetus in opposition to the latter's contemporary critics and calumniators. And why this zeal in behalf of Servetus? Because the author believes Servetus to have been a forerunner of Swedenborg, the founder of the "New Church," of which sect the author is an adherent. In fact, the main purpose of the author is to point out the similarity of Servetus' teachings to those of Swedenborg—the latter half of the volume consisting chiefly of selections from Servetus' writings set over against sentences from the pen of Swedenborg. The author, indeed, adduces considerable evidence in support of such a similarity of teaching, presenting thus a study in comparative theology which will be of interest to students in this field of investigation.
Professor Odhner divides his book into two parts: Part I. consisting of six short chapters on "Servetus and Calvin," Part. II. twelve short chapters on "The Theology of Michael Servetus." The writer's position may be seen from his statement on page 70, when he writes, "Servetus,— alone in the entire history of the Christian Church (before Swedenborg appeared),— discovered an approximately true definition of the Trinity." And again, "To a student of Swedenborg's works, it is manifest that Servetus came as near to the doctrine of genuine truth as could be possible to any man, short of an immediate Divine Revelation." And again, "And so also may we say, in all reverence, that among all the teachers of the Christian Church,— ancient, medieval and modern,— there has not risen one greater in the perception of truth than Michael Servetus." Very little is definitely known of Servetus, but the readers will recall Dr. William Osier's brochure on Michael Servetus, published a couple of years since. The celebrated physician there observed, "Servetus was a rank heretic, and as deserving of death as any ever tied to the stake. We can scarcely call him a martyr of the Church. What Church would own him?" Those who agree with Dr. Osier, the great majority, should in fairness read this little book now under review.
This little Swedenborgian book will show that Michael Servetus was the only man of his time capable of reforming the church and that he was prevented from doing so by the virulent hatred of John Calvin. In the first part the author tells the story of Servetus' life and death, and of John Calvin's experiences in the spiritual world as revealed by Swedenborg. The second part is given to Servetus' Theology, in which it is shown that he continued the work begun by Origen and completed by Swedenborg. He was a forerunner of Swedenborg on earth, and perhaps was charged with teaching the genuine truths of the Word to the simple souls "under the altar" in the other world, to prepare them for the Last Judgment that took place in the spiritual world in 1757. The author cites many passages from Servetus' works to show agreement with the teachings of Swedenborg.
Originally published in 1910; may contain an occasional imperfection.
