An Exploration of Unification Theology and the Christian Tradition

Unification theology is the theology of the Unification Church movement that was founded in Korea in the middle of the twentieth century. Although Unification theology is deeply rooted in the biblical and Christian tradition, it may have been significantly misconceived by traditional Christian theologians, clergy and laypersons. As a result, an unnecessary theological tension may have been created.This book, authored by a person who is well versed in both Unification and Christian theology, intends to address this undesirable situation, so that the Unification Church movement and traditional Christian churches may be able to enhance their mutual understanding in the spirit of ecumenism to work together for the will of God.Just as all schools of theology in Christianity carry their own respective insights that are each unique and significant, Unification theology also has its own uniquely insightful emphasis upon the idea of God’s “Heart” (which may be quite similar to the Old Testament notion of “chesed,” translated usually as “steadfast love,” “loving-kindness” or “mercy” in English). Because of this, Unification theology has developed a theology of the close unity both between God and the world and among human beings centered on God their true parent—a theology that truly goes beyond the level of separateness and fallenness after true reconciliation.From this unique perspective of Unification theology, the book deals with twelve theological topics in twelve chapters in the order of systematic theology: 1) “Approaching the Bible”; 2) “Faith and Reason”; 3) “God’s Heart: Two Aspects of God”; 4) “God and the World”; 5) “The Trinity”; 6) “The Suffering of God”; 7) “The Fall”; 8) “The Problem of Evil”; 9) “Christology”; 10) “The Atonement”; 11) “Providential History of Modern Thought”; and 12) “Eschatology.” It throws new light on these important topics and addresses many difficult theological issues that have challenged thoughtful theologians and serious truth-seekers in Christianity for centuries. In addressing these issues, this book highlights the common ground that Unification and Christian theology share with each other.As one of the endorsers states, the book’s quality of research is “superior,” and the author’s ability to compare Unification and Christian theology “unequaled.” Read more