Swedenborg, Oetinger, Kant : Three Perspectives on the Secrets of Heaven

In this meticulous study, Wouter Hanegraaff examines the structure, themes, and development of Emanuel Swedenborg's massive work Secrets of Heaven ( Arcana Coelestia ), published between 1749 and 1756. Written as a work of biblical exegesis (of Genesis and Exodus), Swedenborg also interpolated material on his visionary experiences, which have long fascinated readers. In the second part of the study, Dr. Hanegraaff examines the contemporary reception of the multi-volume work, particularly the critical reactions of Immanuel Kant and Friedrich Christoph Oetinger. He finds that Swedenborg's biblical exegesis, so important in his divine calling, was largely ignored in favor of the mystical experiences. Swedenborg's Secrets Of Heaven -- A Key To The Secrets : Swedenborg's Doctrine Of Correspondences -- The Structure Of Secrets Of Heaven -- Method, History, And Doctrine -- The Method Of Biblical Exegesis -- History And The Styles Of The Word -- Teachings About Charity And Faith -- Biblical Exegesis -- Genesis On The Development Of Churches -- Genesis On The Lord's Inner Development -- Exodus On The Spiritual Church -- Accounts Of Memorable Occurrences -- Heaven, Hell, And Their Inhabitants -- The Universal Human Constituted Of Angelic Communities -- Hells And The Process Of Spiritual Devastation -- Oetinger, Kant, And The Early Reception Of Secrets Of Heaven -- The Early Reception Of Secrets Of Heaven -- Friedrich Christoph Oetinger -- Oetinger's First Acquaintance With Swedenborg -- Swedenborgs And Others Earthly And Heavenly Philosophy -- From Qualified Acceptance To Unqualified Rejection -- Swedenborg In Oetinger's Last Works -- Immanuel Kant -- The Knobloch Letter And The Herder Fragments -- Dreams Of A Spirit Seer -- Early Reviews -- The Later Lectures On Metaphysics -- What Was At Stake? -- Some Later Readers Of Secrets Of Heaven. Wouter J. Hanegraaff. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.