Unification Theological Seminary Commencement, Founder's Speech - Original Document

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to professors parents, brothers and sisters of the graduates, and to the dis-’ tinguished guests who have come to attend and bring glory to the graduation ceremony of our Unification Theological Seminary. Time flies, and it is once again graduation day, the sixth graduation since the foundation of the Seminary. The school has thus far produced several hundred graduates. During these years, we have accomplished many things. As a result, the .Seminary has become famous in the world theological community. We have learned much during this short period. God has established the various religions in order to ac~ tualize His Will on earth. The very religion that is intended to accomplish God’s whole Will and form one ideal religious realm is the Unification Church. The Unification Theological Seminary was founded in order to educate and cultivate leaders who will take pivotal responsibility in accomplishing the total Will of God. our graduates wish to take responsibility to restore what was lost by the fall of the first human ancestors: original ownership, the ideal family, society, world and ultimately heaven. Therefore what the graduates have learned during their school years are the ways to accomplish these goals. Firstly, and most significantly, the Seminary has conducted a series of seminars to which renowned theologians were invited. This was to accomplish the clear goal of the ideal world and heaven. Theology today, in a time of rapid societal change and the expansion of atheistic thought, seems to have come to a bar- rier, causing it to falter. In an attempt to reveal the modern theological field, the direction of God’s providence, and to search out the contents with which we can digest the problems of modern times, we have initiated an ecumenical movement, working with prominent theologians: the result is the international New Ecumen- ical Research Association (New ERA). In the position of students, we have been guided by professors in the search for ecumenical unity. Unification theology combines utmost conservatism, traditionalism, and modernistic liberalism as well, and has enough contents to digest all problems. When theologians came to see this, they became immediately interested in our theology and church. We must embrace both conservatism and liberalism. Generally speaking, conservatism is on the side of theism, whereas liberal- ism tends toward atheism. Conservatives are especially predominant in the religious world, and unity among. denominations and religions is nearly impossible. Despite difficulty, we are participating in an ecumenical endeavor in order to maintain an allied front of

theism, and we are embracing liberalistic atheism. On the other hand, we are developing a Unification thought not only to counter but to surpass Communism, a representative of atheism. Su~h activities are to be found in every age and every place. The society you are soon to enter has a strong conservative orient- a~ion t~ward the present, while concern for the future inspire~ liberalism. These two concerns must be integrated.· Under such con- ditions, we are involving dedicated scholars in our seminars to articulate the future direction and content, and gradually search out the way to absorb all and take our direction towards loftier purposes. Secondly, you have studied many schools of theology. This was necessary to prepare yourself to assume your responsibility in real life for restoration through indemnity, in order to fulfill the ideal society. For this, human life is like a training ground. We must accomplish our responsibilities in real life, just as we are required to pass examinations in school. We became. friends of books, and we even became slaves of books in our efforts to arrive at this graduation day. When we go out to society, however, we must bear in mind that books will be replaced by people and works. Just as we have read booka, and analyzed and comprehended ~heir contents so as to develop our views about them, we can analyze and comprehend the character of people and works, and clearly distin- guish in our minds between good and evil. Thirdly, we have participated in the Home Church movement. This activity is intended to nurture ideal families and to res- tore the original homeland as God intended: in that homeland there will be found parents, brothers and sisters, husbands and wives and children of God’s original ideal. Through these families, the ideal nation and ideal world can be connected to God. This is the reason for our Home Church activity. The fall originated in selfish action: therefore, we have learned to live· for the sake of others. At this juncture we must search for the means to connect conscience to conscience at the highest religious level. Since you have learned that unification is brought about only through sacrifice and service, I am sure you will fulfill this central mission towards your original homeland intended by God. Fourthly, we have learned to carry out economic activities, as a practical course in learning about ideal ownership and proper management of resources. We have engaged in ecomonic activities from time to time as the need has arisen. Economic problems persist throughout one’s life course, and I would like you to engage in economic activities so that you may gain confidence as a giving per- son, and to expand your ownership and become an example to all others establishing patterns of personal vrtue. What I ask of you at your graduation is that you become respon- sible persons to connect ideal and original ownership, family, society, world and universe for the sake of accomplishing God’s over all Will. Thus, you will inherit the course of messiahship. May God’s blessing be with you as an individual, with your family, and with al_l the work in which you are engaged . .- . Thank you.