Unification or Moonification? By Jack Kettler


Sun Myung Moon, now deceased, was a self-appointed Reverend with murky credentials, to say the least. He was born on February 25, 1920, in Korea. As a teenager, he claimed to have a vision of Jesus, begging him (Moon) to complete the mission, which he (Jesus) had failed. When you hear something like this, red flags should go up. If you believe Moon's claims, then you would accept his credentials, which come down to this: He is “greater than Jesus” (Master Speaks 6/30/1973 p.4) Rev. Moon is “the Messiah, the Lord of the Second Advent” (120-Day Training Manual p.160, 222).


A little about Moon's organization:


Moon had a front row seat to see the evils of communism in North Korea. We can be thankful that he ardently spoke out against the blight of communism. Unfortunately, Moon's anti-communism has helped his organization make alliances with unsuspecting conservatives. His business empire is impressive and substantial, with holdings in media and manufacturing. Moon was a master at forming alliances through his science conferences. Since Moon claimed to be the Lord of the Second Advent, he was the undisputed leader of the Unification Church. Subsequent to his death, on September 3, 2012, it has been reported that his wife Hak Ja Han and their sons Hyung Jin Moon and Kook Jin Moon would assume the leadership of the church.


Moon's religion is known as “The Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity.” It certainly has not lived up to its name regarding the “Unification of World Christianity.” Individuals who believe and follow Moon's teaching have experienced a process that I call Moonification. This is a process in which an individual surrenders their own beliefs and adopts Moon's outlandish, grandiose beliefs about himself and his mission.


Moon’s writing, the “Divine Principle” is known by the Unification Church as the “Completed Testament.” Absolutely essential to Moon's theology is the concept of dualism. All of existence is dualistic. You have the Father God and feminine Holy Spirit God, you have both male and female, light and darkness, Yin and Yang and spirit and flesh. All existence has dual properties according to Moon. Moon's God has both dual male and female characteristics. In short, Moon's belief system can be described as a combination of elements of Eastern Taoist philosophy, especially, its metaphysical dualism. This Eastern philosophy and other aberrational theological ideas are used as a grid to interpret the Bible, leading to interpretive nonsense.


Rather than use the Grammatico-Historical-Hermeneutical method of interpretation, which focuses attention on literary forms plus taking into consideration, the grammatical constructions and historical contexts from which the Scriptures were written, Moon smuggles Eastern philosophies and other interpretive errors into his radical twisting of Scripture.


In addition, Moon used a basic Christian theological structure for interpreting Scripture which can be described as creation-sin/evil-redemption model. This is what in particular makes Moon's theology deceptive since it utilizes the Christian concepts of sin, the fall and redemption. Because of this, Moon's theology can be considered a Christian heresy. Shockingly, Spiritism was not a problem for Moon. In the book “Unknown But Known,” on page 121 the American father of Spiritualism's Arthur Ford recounted two lengthy séances undertaken on behalf of Moon. These accounts were removed from later editions of Ford's book.


And, significantly, you find a Dispensationalism hermeneutic at work in Moon's theology, which accounts for Moon's shocking teaching that Jesus failed in His mission. Dispensationalists do not teach that Jesus failed, only that the Jews did not accept him, and therefore God had to move to plan B and begin working with the church. The church is the so-called mystery parenthesis in the plan of God where Israel was set aside and God's prophetic clock stopped. It is certainly understandable how Moon could get the idea from Dispensationalism that Jesus failed. Many people have run wild with theories based upon dispensational aberrational theology. It should be noted that Moon used the term dispensational frequently. For example, Moon's speech, “Today In the Light of Dispensational History” given on February 23, 1977, at the World Mission Center, translated by Bo Hi Pak.


A Sampling of Moonification Theological Heresies:
 

“With the fullness of time, God has sent His messenger to resolve the fundamental questions of life and the universe. His name is Sun Myung Moon. For many decades, he wandered in a vast spiritual world in search of the ultimate truth. On this path, he endured suffering unimagined by anyone in human history. God alone will remember it. Knowing that no one can find the ultimate truth to save mankind without going through the bitterest of trials, he fought alone against myriads of Satanic forces, both in the physical and spiritual worlds, and finally triumphed over them all. In this way he came in contact with many saints in Paradise and with Jesus, and thus brought into light all the heavenly secrets through his communion with God.” (1)
 

“In order to know the nature of God's deity, let us examine the common factors which can be found throughout His creation. A creation, whatever it may be, cannot come into being unless a reciprocal relationship between positivity and negativity has been achieved, not only within itself but also in relation to other beings. For example, particles, which are the essential components of all matter, have either positivity or negativity, or a neutrality, which is caused when the positive and negative elements neutralize each other. When the two characteristics enter into a reciprocal relationship, these particles form an atom.


Each atom assumes either positive or negative characteristics, and, as the dual characteristics within each atom enable that atom to have reciprocal relationships with other atoms, they proceed to form molecules of matter. Matter, which is formed in this way--according to the reciprocal relationship between these two characteristics--becomes nourishment for animals and plants when it is absorbed by them.


All plants exist and multiply through a relationship occurring between the stamen and pistil, while the same process occurs in the animal world through a relationship between male and female.


As for man, God created a man (male), Adam, in the beginning; then, seeing that it was not good that man should be alone (Gen. 2:18), He made a woman (female), Eve, as Adam's object, and for the first time God saw that His creation was “very good” (Gen. 1:31). Just as a positive or negative ion, even after dissociation, is found to be the combination of a proton (positive) and an electron (negative), the stamen or the pistil of the plant and a male or female member of the animal kingdom can also exist only through a reciprocal relationship between their dual essentialities of positivity and negativity. Also, there is a female characteristic dormant in every man, and a male essence in every woman. The aspects of each thing in the creation exist on a reciprocal basis, such as: inside and outside, internal and external, front and rear, right and left, up and down, high and low, strong and weak, long and short, wide and narrow, east and west, south and north. This is because all things are created to exist through a reciprocal relationship between their dual essentialities.


As we have seen, all things exist through a reciprocal relationship between the dual essentialities of positivity and negativity. We must also know the reciprocal relationship between another pair of dual essentialities, which is even more fundamental than that of positivity and negativity. Anything in existence has both an external form and an internal character. The external form is visible and reflects the internal character, which is invisible. Though the internal character cannot be seen, it assumes a certain form, so that the external form resembles the internal character as its visible form. “Internal character” and “external form” refer to the two characters which are the two relative aspects of the same existence. In this relationship, the external form may also be called a “second internal character”, so together we call them “dual characteristics,” or dual essentialities.”


We can take man as an example. Man consists of body, or external form, and mind, or internal character. The visible body resembles the invisible mind. The body assumes a form resembling the form projected by the mind. This is the reason one can perceive things about a man's invisible character and destiny by his outward appearance.


We call the mind “internal character” and the body “external form.” Here again, since our mind and body are the two relative aspects of the same man, the body may be called the “second mind,” or a duplication of the mind. We call these two together “the dual characteristics of man.” Now we can understand the fact that everything exists through a reciprocal relationship between the dual characteristics of internal character and external form.


What then is the relationship between internal character and external form? The invisible internal character is the cause and is in the subjective position, while the visible external form is the result of the former and stands in an objective position to it. Accordingly, the reciprocal relationship which exists between the two is one of internal and external, cause and result, subject and object, or vertical and horizontal.


Let us again use man as an example. Since mind and body correspond to character and form, the body is a copy of the mind and should be completely under its command. Thus, man can direct his life according to his will and purpose. The mind and body also assume a reciprocal relationship of internal and external, cause and result, subject and object, or vertical and horizontal.


Likewise, all the things of creation, though they may vary in dimension, have an invisible internal character, which corresponds to the mind; since this is the cause and subject, it manipulates the external form, which corresponds to the human body. This relationship between mind and body enables the individual creation to maintain its existence as a being with a certain purpose. Animals have an aspect which corresponds to the human mind; since this is the subject and cause which directs towards a certain purpose, the animal body is able to live according to the purpose of its individual being. A plant also has an internal character which enables it to maintain its organic function.” (2)


“Fundamentally, God's essential character and His essential form assume a reciprocal relationship with His "essential positivity" and "essential negativity". Therefore, God's essential positivity and essential negativity are the attributes of His essential character and essential form. So, the relationship between positivity and negativity is similar to that which exists between character and form.


Accordingly, positivity and negativity also have a reciprocal relationship existing between internal and external, cause and result, subject and object, vertical and horizontal. This is the reason it is written in the Bible that God created the woman Eve as an object by taking the rib from the man Adam, who was the subject (Gen. 2:22). Here we call the positivity and negativity of God “masculinity” and “femininity,” respectively. The universe which was created with God as the center is similar to a man who has been created with his mind as the center. The universe is a perfect organic body created completely in accordance with God's purpose of creation. For this reason, the universe as an organic body has its own internal character and external form, with God as its internal character, while the physical universe is its external form. This is why God said that man, who is the center of the universe, was made in His own image (Gen. 1:27).


Before creating the universe, God existed as the internal masculine subject, and He created the universe as His external feminine object. I Corinthians 11:7 says that man “is the image and glory of God,” which testifies to this theory. Since God is the masculine subject of internal character we call Him “Our Father,” emphasizing His masculine nature. “In brief, we know that God is the subject who consists of dual characteristics.” (3)
 

“Jesus did not say that His word was the truth but that he himself was the truth, way and the life (John 14:6). This is because His words were only a means of expressing himself as the truth... We can understand that the New Testament was given as a textbook for the teaching of truth to the people of 2,000 years ago... In consequence, today the truth must appear with a higher standard and with a scientific method of expression in order to enable intelligent modern men to understand it.” (4)
 

“We, therefore, must realize that Jesus did not come to die on the cross.” (5)
 

“Jesus could not accomplish the purpose of the providence of physical salvation because his body was invaded by Satan. However, he could establish the basis for spiritual salvation ... through ... the blood of the cross.” (6)
 

“Because the Jewish people disbelieved Jesus and delivered him up for crucifixion, his body was invaded by Satan, and he was killed. Therefore, even when Christians believe in and become one body with Jesus, whose body was invaded by Satan, their bodies still remain subject to Satan’s invasion.” (7)


“In fact, Jesus was then resolved to take the cross as the condition of indemnity to pay for the accomplishment of even the spiritual salvation of man when he found that he was unable to accomplish the providence of both spiritual and physical salvation (Luke 9:31).” (8)


“Any Christian who, in spiritual communication, can see John the Baptist directly in the spirit world will be able to understand the authenticity of all these things.” (9)


“The ultimate purpose of God’s providence of restoration is to save all mankind. Therefore, it is God’s intention to abolish Hell completely, after the lapse of the period necessary for the full payment of all indemnity.” (10)


“Though the times of their salvation may differ, all fallen men are predestined to be saved.” (11)


“In this way, a man who attains the purpose of creation would become the temple of God’s constant abode (1Cor. 3:16) thus assuming deity (cf. Part I Ch. I Sec. III, 2).” “Therefore, the man who has attained the purpose of creation would assume the divine value of God.” (12)


“The man who has attained the purposed of creation, whoever he may be, is an existence unique in the whole universe. Buddha’s statement, ‘I am my own Lord throughout heaven and earth,’ is reasonable in light of this principle.” (13)


“However, a father alone cannot give birth to children. There must be a True Mother with the True Father, in order to give rebirth to fallen children as children of goodness. She is the Holy Spirit.” “Thus, the Holy Spirit is a Female Spirit;” “She also cleanses the sins of the people in order to restore them, thus indemnifying the sin committed by Eve.” “Jesus, being male (positively), is working in heaven, while the Holy Spirit, being female (negativity), is working on earth.” (14)


“Accordingly, in order to fulfill the purpose of creation, Jesus and the Holy Spirit must establish the four position foundation centered on God, by becoming one body in unity through the action of give and take, each as the object of God, substantially divided from His dual essentialities. In this manner, Jesus and the Holy Spirit become one body centered on God; this is called ‘Trinity.’” However, due to the fall, Adam and Eve established the four position foundation centered on Satan, thus resulting in a trinity centered on Satan.” (15)


“Eve’s fall consisted of two kinds of illicit love affairs. The first one was the spiritual fall through love with the archangel. The second was the physical fall through love with Adam.” (16)


“After another seven days, Noah sent out the dove the third time. It is written that this time the dove did not come back to the ark because the water had dried up (Gen 8:12). The third dove symbolized the Lord of the Second Advent [Moon] who would come as the third Adam.” (17)


The “Lord of the Second Advent” [Moon] will be born in Korea.” (18)


“Likewise, the Korean nation as the third Israel.” (19)


“Therefore, countless men of religion are receiving very clear revelations concerning the Lord’s Second Coming in Korea in many different ways, by contacting many spirit men of various levels : from the realm of miscellaneous spirits to the realm of the paradise level spirits. Nevertheless, the leaders of the present Christian world, due to their spiritual ignorance, are still unresponsive, and have refused to pay heed to such things. This is similar to what happened in Jesus’ day, when the chief priests and rabbis, who should have been the first to know of the coming of the Messiah, were entirely unaware of the fact due to their spiritual ignorance, while, on the other hand, the astrologers and shepherds knew of the message through revelations.” (20)


A Brief Christian Response:


The Scripture teaches that Jesus is one and only incarnate Son of God and he completed his mission successfully. Christ's death and resurrection provided real saving atonement for sinners. Jesus secured salvation from the effects of sin and death, in both the spiritual and physical for His people.


“Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.” (Mark 16:9)


“For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” (1Corinthians 15: 3-4)


“And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now has he reconciled.” (Colossians 1:21)


Moreover, Moon’s claims of being the Messiah or Lord of the Second Advent are blasphemous. Only Jesus is the Messiah! There is simply no need for another Messiah.


“Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.” (Hebrews 1:3)


“But to the Son he said your throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of your kingdom.” (Hebrews 1:8)


“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen.” (2Peter 3:18)


Notes:

  1. Sun Myung Moon, Divine Principle, The Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity, English translation, (Hsa-Uwc Pubns, 1977), p. 16.
  2. Moon, pp. 20-23.
  3. Moon, p. 25.
  4. Ibid., p. 131.
  5. Ibid., p. 143.
  6. Ibid., p. 148.
  7. Ibid., pp. 147-148.
  8. Ibid., p. 151.
  9. Ibid., p. 163.
  10. Ibid., p. 190.
  11. Ibid., p. 200.
  12. Ibid., p. 206.
  13. Ibid., p. 207.
  14. Ibid., pp. 215-216.
  15. Ibid., p. 217.
  16. Ibid., p. 241.
  17. Ibid., p. 256.
  18. Ibid., p. 520.
  19. Ibid., p. 527.
  20. Ibid., p. 529.


“To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.” (Romans 16:27) and “heirs according to the promise.” (Galatians 3:28, 29)

Mr. Kettler has previously published articles in the Chalcedon Report and Contra Mundum. He and his wife Marea attend the Westminster, CO, RPCNA Church. Mr. Kettler is the author of the book The Religion That Started in a Hat. Available at: www.TheReligionThatStartedInAHat.com