Foreword -- David S.C. Kim

The Unification movement, along with its unique ideology applicable to many fields of study, has been the subject of much controversy, discussion and interest over the past few years. Though some non-Unificationists have pronounced Unificationism unworthy of serious consideration, a growing number of educated and aware individuals in all fields have been recognizing its viability as a positive new force in world religions and society.

During the last few years books and articles have appeared about the Unification movement, many of them written by prominent professors. Some have had positive things to say, while others have had negative viewpoints. I have been especially eager for the publication of this particular volume, Unity in Diversity, a compilation of papers written by professors and other faculty of the Unification Theological Seminary about Unificationism and its movement relative to their own special area of interest. Why have I been waiting so eagerly? Because these professors have had the unique opportunity to study Unificationism firsthand. They have had available to them all the resources for a thorough study of the Divine Principle, as well as the living example of the theology as embodied in their students. During the past eight years the professors at UTS have been able to observe with their own eyes the Unification way of life by working with, living with and teaching Unificationists.

I think these papers in particular are authoritative because they are written on that foundation of personal knowledge as well as their own foundation of academic discipline. The professors at UTS are serious academicians and well-respected in their fields. But even more importantly, perhaps, these papers were written on the foundation of courage. For the most part, the professors are not Unificationists, yet they were willing to step out of the mold of society and study something new and controversial. Even though some of them received severe persecution for their association with Unificationism, they persisted in the face of difficulty for the sake of knowledge and truth. For this they should be highly commended.

In addition to this praise, however, I must also offer a word of caution and a challenge. Being of such high caliber and influence, they now have a responsibility to share their knowledge and experience with others, offering the public a clear view of this movement. I therefore have desired that this book be completed much sooner.

My hope for the future is that this type of work can be published on a continual basis, perhaps annually. I shall fully support that project. I have a very high regard for the UTS professors and other faculty, and I sincerely hope that they will succeed in this great endeavor.

David S.C. Kim
President
Unification Theological Seminary
November 9, 1983