UTS 12th Commencement Address - Original Document

ladies and gentlemen:

I wish to extend my heurtfelt congratulations to you~

47 graduates on this joyful occasion of ·the 12th graduation ceremony of the Unification Theological Seminary.

You are graduating in the providential year of 1988,

ready to become, not simply graduates of a d e nominational

seminary, but religious leaders willing to take responsibility

for God’s will in solving the problems of humanity and the

Now, as we are gathered for this meaningful occasion,

I would like to share some thoughts with you concerning your

dispensational missions and the serious problems facing America

In Judeo-Christian history God planned to impart His

mainstream ideology and thought through faithful individuals,

societies and nations. Religious ideology is not just truth

or moral teaching but expresses the desire of human beings

to have something to depend and rely on absolutely. In God’s

plan, America represents all the free nations of the world.

A providential purpose has been given to this nation by God

since its birth 200 years ago.

When we look at America today we can see that it is

lacking a clear and unified ideology as well as unity of

value perspectives centered on God. Religious commandments

remain mostly unpracticed and much of the Judeo-Christian

teaching of universal love is generally ignored or rejected.

This is a nation full of contradiction, grcc1t confusion, injustice and corruption. If the confusion gets worse this

nation will face the danger of perishing.

The result of such a lack in ethical and.wholesome

ideals is moral decay. If a God-centered ideology, which

is supposed to direct the spirit of humc1nkind, loses its

function, then a nation will turn completely to lawlessness , and become a pool of violence and corruption. We can see

this in American homes and schools us the proper. order in relationships between parents and children and teachers and

students breaks down.

Naturally, if there is no clear ideology and moral

decay continues, there can be no clear direction to those who are lost, and to the future of this nation. This moral

disintegration and decadent thinking has brought about the

decline of ethical values in American life. Today America

is a nation of sin, conflict, and disbelief, bringing about

a cesspool of “free sex,” drugs, homosexuality and promiscuity.

We see this nation heading toward a society without religious

values; thereby becoming a spiritual vacuum of materialism

and secular “humanism” where there is no hope.

Where can we find the people and the organizations

who are seriously concerned about the present sick and cancer-

ous trend in this dying America? I dare say that, in the

whole world, you graduates and the Unification movement are

urgently concerned and vitally interested in doing something

about it for this nation. Thus, it is you people that are

the hope for the future of America and the world . .. .

What can we do to alleviate this alarming situation?

It is an absolute necessity that we make extra effort based

on a new attitude. We have to correct the lack of clear-cut

ideals and moral values, thus changing our American position

and attitude. How? You have to revive the “Original America”

in the Founding Fathers’ spirit of the JudeoLChristian heritage

in this country. You must be dedicated to the remaking of

the individuals, communities, this nation and the world accord-

ing to the original ideals of God.

We are at a crucial turning point in the history of

this nation with the unfinished tasks which need to be solved.

God expects dedicated young people like yourselves to be

responsible for them.

First of all, in order to find the true love, happi-

ness and peace desired by our original minds, you must plunge

yourselves into this troubled world and work there for God.

You do this by sacrificing yourselves through total investment

and commitment. Perseverance, self-sacrifice and the road

of suffering and puin is the only way to bring success in

your responsibility as religious leaders.

Secondly, you not only give help and service to others

in an unconditional way, but by this path of living sacrifice

you will inherit the course of “messiahship,” becoming small

messiahs in your homes and communities. If you ignite a new

spiritual and religious environment then you will become

the new hope for this nation.

Thirdly, you must give education and guidance to people

to not only believe in God’s will but to live it in their ;

everyday lives. We must develop a “practical application”

movement. Education should not only be ideology or theory,

but should include the testing of theory in practical living

and everyday experiences.

Your sacred mission is to educate others to become

your successors. Careful leadership training ancl seminary

education have been given to you at UTS in thought and theory,

so your responsibility is to carry out your successful, prac-

tical mission. This means educating a second generation

who will be heirs of the coming ideal world, thus ensuring

God’s will continues after you. Your success will not be

complete if you have no successors to take over your mission.

Therefore, your special effort must be to guide and raise

up a second generation in your lifetime.

To accomplish God’s will in this nation of America,

with extra determination and a new attitude, a movement toward

unifying all the different faiths of the world must be actively launched. How can we solve this urgent issue?

---Through the spirit of ecumenism and continued fellow-

ship among all denominations and religions, enhancing unity

and harmony and eliminating dogmatic biases.

---And through encouraging interfaith dialogue, cooper-

ation and mutual assistance, helping one another discover

ways to absorb differences and consider new direction toward

higher purposes. .. .

We have already been working toward developing inter-

religious and interdenominational harmony, through sharing

common ideals and concerns about the future of humunkind. ~

You have to continue the effort, and to aggressively initiate

further participation in ecumenism on the worldwide level.

In conclusion, since you have learned that success

in your mission can be obtained by unconditiona1 sacrifice

and loving service, becoming small messiahs, and educating

and training your successors with practical restoration work,

I am sure you will be victorious in reaching goals in harmony

with God’s will.

This nation of America should be renewed, not just

through a spiritual revolution, but through action concerned

with applying God’s will to the practical solution of its problems. If you accomplish this task you graduates will

become the pride of both your Unification movement and your

nation. You will not be simply ministers, leading secluded

lives, but men and women who will save this nation and world

according to God’s will and plan for restoration.

You are destined to fulfill the historical mission

of becoming true leaders of tomorrow, establishing a new

and higher tradition and future hl~tory for humankind and

God. Have confidence and put all your energy into bringing

about God’s ideal, never abandoning the heart of God who

desires to accomplish His will through you.

God’s fundamental reason for blessing America during

the last 200 years with material abundance, is so that this

,. . . . . ,. _

nation can help and serve other peoples of the world. So

you must bear the burden of ruising the moral standard of

America, thus restoring the “Original /\rnerica” ln the ideal

of the Founding Fathers of this nation.

Carry on God’s work with utmost faith and loyalty,

and keep marching towards the goal of making Go~’s world

of unity, peace, prosperity and happiness a substantial

Thank you and God bless you.