THE DOCTRINE OF REFLECTION*
George de Charms†
“There are more arcana in the doctrine of reflection than in any other
whatever.” This arresting statement is found in number 733 of the
Spiritual Diary1 by Emanuel Swedenborg. It seems to challenge the generally
accepted view, for we have been prone to think of reflection as merely
one form, among many, of mental activity. We would ordinarily place it in
the same category as sensation, memory, imagination and thought. Why
should it contain more arcana than any of these? Are there not other
doctrines that are of even greater importance? Consider creation, redemption
and glorification; or influx, providence and regeneration. Must these
not have an even broader application than the doctrine of reflection?
* This series of studies was first received by the journal’s late editor, Lennart O. Alfelt, who
entered the spiritual world in 1981; this places it, perhaps, some time in the 1970s. There is
nothing on the typescript to give us a firm date. It was found among material in an archive
belonging to the Swedenborg Scientific Association, and was only recently perused. Inquiries
of people who may have known something about this series brought nothing to light; nor did
a search in New Church Life and The New Philosophy. We therefore feel more or less assured that
this publication of the series is its first, and we feel honored to bring this illuminating collection
to our readers’ attention.
George de Charms (1889–1988) is widely known in New Church circles for his
extraordinary devotion to the New Church and for his wide-ranging contributions to its life.
He was Executive Bishop of the General Church of the New Jerusalem from 1937 to his
retirement in 1961. Rev. Kurt H. Asplundh spoke of him in a Memorial Address in the
following terms: “Bishop de Charms has left a legacy for the General Church—not only a vast
production of creative thought and written doctrinal study, prolific and provocative, but more
importantly, he has impressed on the church a lasting attitude—an exciting sense of the
promise of spiritual discovery which is the reward of a careful and devout exploration of the
Word. In his own considerable efforts in this he gave an example of simple humility. How often
he characterized his own work as a mere beginning, a feeble effort, a faltering first step. His
wisdom was great in the acknowledgment of how little he felt he knew. For this leadership we
must be ever grateful.” Notable published studies include Harmony of the Four Gospels
(Academy of the New Church Press 1978); The Growth of the Mind: A New Church Interpretation
(Academy Book Room 1953.); and Imagination and Rationality (SSA 1981).
1 See "Abbreviated Titles" on p. 87 for a list of abbreviations of Swedenborgs's works used
in this journal.
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