ARCANUM

Magazine Overview

Title: ARCANUM
Issue: 135
Volume: 16
Date: March 1978

This issue of Arcanum, a Swedish member's bulletin, focuses heavily on critiques of the established church and explorations of alternative spiritual and philosophical concepts. The magazine encourages readers to engage with the press, sharing their insights on topics relevant to Arcanum's focus.

"14 Points on Church Decadence" by Karl Berggren

The central article, reprinted from Helsingborgs Dagblad, is Karl Berggren's "14 PUNKTER OM KYRKANS DEKADANS" (14 Points on Church Decadence). Berggren poses a series of critical questions directed at the Swedish clergy and believers, challenging the foundations of Christianity.

Critiques of the New Testament and Church History

• Berggren argues that the New Testament is significantly distorted and lacks divine inspiration. His points include:
• Oral Traditions: The original Aramaic texts are based on human oral traditions, leading to changes in meaning and truth when recorded, especially decades after Christ's death.
• Translation Errors: Translations from Aramaic are riddled with gross inaccuracies, as evidenced by later linguistic analyses.
• Church Father Interventions: The church fathers, particularly at the Councils of Nicaea (325 AD) and Constantinople (381 AD), deliberately altered gospel texts, using exclusions to maintain the church's power and wealth.

Questions on Modern Clergy and Spirituality

Based on these historical critiques, Berggren questions how contemporary Swedish clergy can base their differing views on female priests on loose quotes and rigid interpretations of the New Testament. He posits that Universal Intelligence (God) would not devalue women, especially in roles of teaching ethics, doctrine, or performing priestly duties. He controversially suggests that a woman priest with the right disposition might be more capable than a mediocre male priest who preaches monotonously.

Berggren also inquires about the ongoing secularization, the decline in belief, and the depopulation of churches worldwide. He questions whether this is due to ordinary people discovering that the divided clergy offers no solace in times of difficulty.

Reincarnation and Spiritual Science

Further points delve into the concept of reincarnation, which Berggren claims has been deliberately hidden by church leadership throughout history. He asserts that humans are immortal spiritual beings who return to physical bodies for spiritual development. He criticizes the church's emphasis on a nebulous concept of eternal life in heaven, forgiveness of sins, and salvation, deeming these outdated and lacking substance upon deeper study. Berggren believes the only true salvation comes from individual awakening to one's own faults, leading to self-correction over multiple lifetimes.

He suggests that humanity is entering a new era where spiritual science, presented logically and systematically, will replace Christianity and other world religions. He points to the teachings of Martinus and Rosenkorset as examples of such comprehensive worldviews.

Contemporary Relevance and Figures

Berggren concludes by asking for reactions from circles around Archbishop Sundby and Bishop Bertil Gärtner, a known opponent of female priests in the Diocese of Göteborg.

Personal Reflections and Contact Information

Following Berggren's article, Denis Lindbohm shares a personal reflection related to his mother's experiences, referencing a "duodox formula" and the concept of 'Alfa' and 'Omega' representing the duality of existence (light and dark). He suggests a karmic significance to his mother's experiences and invites readers with questions to contact him in Malmö.

Additionally, Lennart Graucob seeks contact with individuals who have visited de la Warr Laboratories and possess related equipment, providing contact details in Nacka.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue strongly reflects a critical stance towards traditional religious institutions, particularly the Christian church, highlighting perceived doctrinal inconsistencies, historical manipulation, and a disconnect with contemporary spiritual needs. The magazine promotes alternative spiritual frameworks, such as reincarnation and spiritual science, and encourages intellectual engagement with these topics. The editorial stance appears to be one of seeking deeper truths beyond established dogma, advocating for spiritual evolution and a more inclusive understanding of divinity, potentially including the role of women in religious leadership. The inclusion of contact information for specific research labs and individuals suggests a community focused on esoteric and paranormal research.