Emanuel Swedenborg (1688–1772) was a scientist, theologian, and philosopher. He became Sweden’s most noted scientist, but in midlife he turned to studying the Bible and developing his unique philosophy.
In books like Heavenly Secrets and The True Christian Religion he described his experiences in the spirit world. He believed the churches had corrupted the original truth of Christianity and the Bible, and his many books were his effort to “correct” the faith.
He claimed the “inspired” Bible included only five books of the New Testament and twenty-nine of the Old Testament. After his death followers established the New Jerusalem Church.