Moonies - Their Teachings of God in Human History

Hank Schaf
July 8, 2009

What do "the Moonies," a derisive term used in the media to describe the followers of Rev. Sun Myung Moon, actually believe about God in human history? There have been many things written over the years about these teachings; here is a simple summary of what the "Moonies" actually teach:

God has been an active force in human history. In other words, human history is not just an unconnected series of events, but God has been influencing the activities of humans toward the accomplishment of His will. God is a living and active God. Both throughout history and in the minds of people, God's active providence has left its mark.

Then, what about humankind, the object of God's dispensation; what has man been like throughout history? At each stage in history, God has dealt with man according to man's spiritual state and intellectual levels. Has humankind always remained the same internally, or has he been progressing and constantly improving?

If humankind had not fallen from God, he would have reflected God's character and grown to a state of perfection -- thus God would have been able to relate to him directly. However, Adam and Eve fell instead of becoming the perfected individuals that God had originally intended.

Throughout God's history the spirituality and intellect of fallen people have gradually developed. As humankind's spirit and intellect have developed in each age of human development, God has been able to revise the means of educating people and relating to them accordingly. As an example, in Abraham's time -- when humankind's spirituality and intellect were extremely low -- God needs people to come closer to him through the offering of sacrifices. People in early times were too immature to respond to direct laws and commandments.

However, several hundred years later, at the time of Moses, God connected with his children through the Law. At Jesus' time, instead of repeating the same dispensation through sacrifices, laws or commandments, God worked in a new way to bring the people closer to him, He gave the Gospel, a new Truth, on a level appropriate for the spirituality of the people of that age.

Hank Schaf writes on religion and society.