Applied Unificationism
By Unification Theological Seminary (sponsor from 2013-23)
Applied UnificationismFeb 24, 2021
Enlarged Freedom for a Safer World: A Unificationist Approach toward Human Security
After the end of the Cold War, many hoped the 21st century would be one of lasting peace. It actually started well with the International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://appliedunificationism.com/2023/05/01/enlarged-freedom-for-a-safer-world-a-unificationist-approach-toward-human-security/
From Korea with Love
I have had the privilege of chairing an editorial team that has been assembling a chronology of the life and work of Sun Myung Moon (1920-2021) and Hak Ja Han Moon (1943-) in the United States from 1965-2022. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://appliedunificationism.com/2023/04/03/from-korea-with-love/
The Veneration of Mary and Its Implications for Women in the Church
The veneration of Mary, the mother of Jesus, has been around for as long as the early Apostles. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://appliedunificationism.com/2023/03/20/the-veneration-of-mary-and-its-implications-for-women-in-the-church/
The Concept of Truth and the Interpretation of Scripture
In most seminaries and academic institutions, since the rise of critical methods of scholarship, scripture has been studied by applying methods of literary and historical criticism. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://appliedunificationism.com/2019/03/11/the-concept-of-truth-and-the-interpretation-of-scripture/
Russia, Crimea, Ukraine and Beyond
In a sermon I gave in Kiev in late 1991, I warned that the Israelites, upon escaping slavery in Egypt, still had to endure 40 years of suffering in the desert. So it has been for the Ukraine since the break-up of the Soviet Union. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://appliedunificationism.com/2023/02/27/russia-crimea-ukraine-and-beyond/
Traditional Roman Catholicism vs. Franciscan Mysticism: A Case Study for Unificationists
Recently, a significant reconciliation took place between two opposing factions within Roman Catholicism. In light of divisions plaguing the Unification faith community at present, it is instructive to look at how this reconciliation took place. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://appliedunificationism.com/2023/01/30/traditional-roman-catholicism-vs-franciscan-mysticism-a-case-study-for-unificationists/
‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’: More Than a Marvel Adventure Movie
“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” is a rare sequel — one I found to be even better than its predecessor, “Black Panther,” in terms of the depth of its message and themes even though the Marvel Cinematic Universe film is minus its former lead actor with the 2020 death of Chadwick Boseman. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://appliedunificationism.com/2023/01/16/black-panther-wakanda-forever-more-than-a-marvel-adventure-movie/
What Music Tells Me: Beauty, Truth and Goodness and Our Cultural Inheritance
The 19th century French novelist, Gustave Flaubert, asserted that “the art of writing is the art of discovering what you believe.” This episode is also available as a blog post: http://appliedunificationism.com/2023/01/02/what-music-tells-me-beauty-truth-and-goodness-and-our-cultural-inheritance/
A Manifesto for an Integral Society
The Need for a Unificationist Blessing, Marriage and Family Theology and Education Providence
I experienced a flash of insight a few days ago while looking at Rev. Sun Myung Moon’s picture (who Unificationists call True Father). This episode is also available as a blog post: http://appliedunificationism.com/2022/11/07/the-need-for-a-unificationist-blessing-marriage-and-family-theology-and-education-providence/
The Abundance Mentality, with Biblical References
As many teachers and prophets have taught, and as supported by scientific and historical evidence, our experience is largely shaped by our perception. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://appliedunificationism.com/2022/10/10/the-abundance-mentality-with-biblical-references/
Giving an Adversary the Respect They May Not Deserve
In April 1990, after his Moscow meeting with Soviet President Gorbachev, Rev. Sun Myung Moon asked Antonio Betancourt, Secretary General of the Summit Council for World Peace, to reach out on his behalf to North Korea. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://appliedunificationism.com/2022/10/03/treating-an-adversary-with-the-respect-they-may-not-deserve/
Unearthing My DNA: The Lost Sister
It’s natural to presume that family are the people who think like us, are born into the same cultural group, share similar political stances, and even look like us. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://appliedunificationism.com/2022/09/26/unearthing-my-dna-the-lost-sister/
A Proposal to Allocate More Resources for Counseling
Our church started from a few young people, who were once welcomed so delightfully as precious beings. What if we were to treat these wounded just like those young people, but who are recovered and recommitted, so as to be gladly welcomed as precious beings once again? This episode is also available as a blog post: http://appliedunificationism.com/2022/09/05/a-proposal-to-allocate-more-resources-for-counseling/
My Fellow Christians: We Are Challenged to Make the Case for Faith Itself
In my current experience, churches today can deliver a somewhat satisfying experience on the spiritual and emotional level, but without a more credible philosophical substrate, lack the capacity to support a moral or ethical context on which further societal development can be built. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://appliedunificationism.com/2022/08/22/my-fellow-christians-we-are-challenged-to-make-the-case-for-faith-itself/
How to Meet My Ancestors: A Theory of Spirit
For me one of the more fascinating requests Rev. Sun Myung Moon gave to us was his request to WRIST in 1984 to develop technology to communicate with spirit world. It is not something I would ever have thought of doing myself, but after I became aware of the problem he posed, it has stayed with me throughout my spiritual life. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://appliedunificationism.com/2022/08/08/how-to-meet-my-ancestors-a-theory-of-spirit/
Idealism, Empiricism and Realism in Rev. Moon’s Philosophy
Conceptual frameworks for interpretation determine the limits, or horizons, of human understanding. This applies to the interpretation of Unificationism, the philosophy of the late Rev. Sun Myung Moon. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://appliedunificationism.com/2022/07/04/idealism-empiricism-and-realism-in-rev-moons-philosophy/
Who Are We Really? Spiritual Psychotherapy and Understanding the Self
My interest in spiritual psychotherapy stems from over 40 years as a student of Rev. Sun Myung Moon and the Divine Principle. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://appliedunificationism.com/2022/06/13/who-are-we-really-spiritual-psychotherapy-and-understanding-the-self/
Spiritual Connections: Living in the Flow of God’s Love
Spiritual Connections: Living in the Flow of God’s Love (Circle of Angels Press, 201 pp., 2022) is an engaging spiritual autobiography of Nora Spurgin, who joined what was then called the Unified Family (later Unification Church) in New York in 1967. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://appliedunificationism.com/2022/05/30/spiritual-connections-living-in-the-flow-of-gods-love/
A Remedial Shift to the Esau-Jacob Model: An Internal Monologue
As a second-generation Unificationist, I’ve suffered for a long time from the Cain-Abel model, a prototype relationship that has been applied to almost all kinds of personal as well as official relationships in the Unification movement. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://appliedunificationism.com/2022/05/16/a-remedial-shift-to-the-esau-jacob-model-an-internal-monologue/
A Proposal for a New Way of Worship
T he theological presupposition, based on movement teachings, is that the family is God’s eternal purpose of creation and eternal dwelling place of God on earth. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://appliedunificationism.com/2022/04/04/a-proposal-for-a-new-way-of-worship/
Building a Platform for Peace
Let us look at platforms and the purpose of building them. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://appliedunificationism.com/2022/03/21/building-a-platform-for-peace/
The Unity of Science and Religion: How We Can Save Ourselves and the Planet from Ourselves
Since the creation of Adam and Eve — according to the Bible, or the evolution of humans, if you prefer Darwin — it seems humankind has been hurling itself towards self-annihilation and the destruction of the planet. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://appliedunificationism.com/2022/03/07/the-unity-of-science-and-religion-how-we-can-save-ourselves-and-the-planet-from-ourselves%ef%bf%bc/
Learning from Therese Stewart, True Pioneer of Faith
A memoir is a treasure trove filled with precious nuggets of information about a person’s life. No matter how well you may think you know someone, reading their memoir illuminates parts of their life that you knew little to nothing about. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://appliedunificationism.com/2022/02/21/learning-from-therese-stewart-true-pioneer-of-faith/
The End of Accusation: Unificationist Lessons from the Dreyfus Affair
A Unificationist heart cherishes reconciliation and abhors accusation. If we connect with God’s heart, practice true love and attend our Heavenly Parent, we include others. Working to extinguish controversies, antagonism and accusation, we think and work together. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://appliedunificationism.com/2022/01/31/the-end-of-accusation-unificationist-lessons-from-the-dreyfus-affair/
Chaplaincy: A Gift from Heaven
I have been thinking about chaplaincy and its value as well as about my own personal experience with a specific chaplain. As a result of this reflection, I had a powerful “ah-ha” moment: Chaplaincy training is one of the most profound experiences for a seminary student and for those in ministry. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://appliedunificationism.com/2021/12/20/chaplaincy-a-gift-from-heaven/
Let Your Light Shine Before Others: Spiritual Formation in the Age of COVID-19
When the test result came back positive a few weeks before Thanksgiving, I couldn’t believe my eyes. I’d followed all the recommendations — two vaccine shots, physical distancing, mask-wearing, hand-washing — yet still, I was infected with the COVID-19 virus... This episode is also available as a blog post: http://appliedunificationism.com/2021/12/06/let-your-light-shine-before-others-spiritual-formation-in-the-age-of-covid-19/
Constant Germany: Lessons of Steadiness in an Uncertain World
German Chancellor Angela Merkel stepped down in early December after 16 years of political leadership. This unassuming person won international recognition as a model of leadership and was considered the most influential woman of the world for the past ten years. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://appliedunificationism.com/2021/11/29/constant-germany-lessons-of-steadiness-in-an-uncertain-world/
Balancing Elites and Masses in Two Legislative Bodies
Headwing society is one in which elites and the general population have a symbiotic and trusting relationship in all social institutions. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://appliedunificationism.com/2021/11/15/balancing-elites-and-masses-in-two-legislative-bodies/
Excuse My Religion While It Slips into Something More Comfortable
Religions pick up a lot of baggage in the course of a couple thousand years. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://appliedunificationism.com/2019/04/29/excuse-my-religion-while-it-slips-into-something-more-comfortable/
Lessons of Illness and Death
My faith as a Unificationist accepts death as normal and part of God’s plan. I know that if God is in our life, then He must also be in our death, and this gives me a sense of comfort and the strength to offer spiritual support to the patient, family and staff. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://appliedunificationism.com/2015/12/21/lessons-of-illness-and-death/
The Only-Begotten Daughter
These days some question, “How can True Mother call herself God’s only begotten Daughter? Was she born sinless? How could she be, when only the Messiah is born sinless?” Nevertheless, True Mother confidently stated at the second anniversary of True Father’s Holy Ascension (Seong Hwa), “I am God’s only-begotten Daughter.” This episode is also available as a blog post: http://appliedunificationism.com/2015/04/13/the-only-begotten-daughter/
How American Christians from North Korea Could Have Altered Korea’s Future in 1945
Few Americans realize that the hasty 1945 division of Korea and ensuing communist eradication of Christianity in the north occurred despite the efforts of a handful of uniquely qualified American officials. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://appliedunificationism.com/2017/07/03/how-american-christians-from-north-korea-could-have-altered-koreas-future-in-1945/
Fish Follow the Fisherman
In the early 1960s, in the little-known land of Korea, a man with a great vision had begun the work of developing the ocean’s resources by tending fish traps on the coastal mud flats. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://appliedunificationism.com/2018/10/15/fish-follow-the-fisherman/
The Five Pillars of Religion
I believe the five pillars of Islam can be accepted from the standpoint of any other religion and that Islam—in the sense that Islam is “submission to the will of God” and in the sense that Abraham, Moses, and Jesus were Muslims — can be regarded as universal and an institution of God. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://appliedunificationism.com/2021/10/04/the-five-pillars-of-religion/
Reflections on True Mother’s City of Refuge Speech
In her April 6, 2019 speech at the City of Refuge Church in Gardena, CA, Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon made significant statements on environmentalism, the ethics of nations, the use of force, and her course as the True Mother. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://appliedunificationism.com/2019/05/06/reflections-on-true-mothers-city-of-refuge-speech/
Approaching the Muslim World with True Parents’ Thought
There were 1.8 billion Muslims in the world as of 2015 — 24% of the global population — according to a Pew Research Center estimate. Islam is currently the world’s second-largest religion (after Christianity), but it is the fastest-growing major religion. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://appliedunificationism.com/2018/09/17/approaching-the-muslim-world-with-true-parents-thought/
How America Can Help Reunite the Korean Peninsula
A look six years ago at America's role in Korean reunification. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://appliedunificationism.com/2015/08/10/how-america-can-help-reunite-the-korean-peninsula/
“Steve Jobs”: A Film Really About Heroines
2021 is the tenth anniversary of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs' passing. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://appliedunificationism.com/2016/02/01/steve-jobs-a-film-really-about-heroines/
The Unification Movement’s Next 100 Years
The 100th birthday of Rev. Sun Myung Moon in 2020 seems a fitting time for reflection, assessment and a reorientation to our shared providential course. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://appliedunificationism.com/2019/10/28/the-unification-movements-next-100-years/
Right Sequencing: Wisdom for Life from the Game of Go
People of faith are accustomed to patience. They know how to wait and persevere. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://appliedunificationism.com/2019/07/22/right-sequencing-wisdom-for-life-from-the-game-of-go/
East Meets West Via the Arts
Beauty has a transcendent aspect and whether we experience beauty through nature, or art, or through human relationships, we can be uplifted by beauty and attain a deeper relationship with our Heavenly Parent and with each other as brothers and sisters. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://appliedunificationism.com/2021/07/26/east-meets-west-via-the-arts/
The Principled Solution to the Tangled Skein of History Begins in Korea
This is a selection of From the One to All Beings, commonly known in the Unification Church as Wolli Wonbon, which Sun Myung Moon wrote in 1951 while living as a refugee in Pusan. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://appliedunificationism.com/2021/07/12/the-principled-solution-to-the-tangled-skein-of-history-begins-in-korea/
Music’s Moral Power: From Christianity to 2020 and Beyond
Mother Moon is emphasizing mentoring the next generations of musicians with regard to having a principled view of their creative gifts. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://appliedunificationism.com/2019/07/29/musics-moral-power-from-christianity-to-2020-and-beyond/
Preparing for Our Seonghwa: Life as an Exclusively Spiritual Being
Here is my general sense of how Unificationism compares to other major faiths on the subject of death and dying. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://appliedunificationism.com/2015/02/02/preparing-for-our-seonghwa-life-as-an-exclusively-spiritual-being/
Why True Mother Uses Only One Chair: A Theological Reflection
The important thing to know is that the inner and outer Trinity, even if discrete from one other, can be perfectly united according to the Divine Principle. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://appliedunificationism.com/2018/03/12/why-true-mother-uses-only-one-chair-a-theological-reflection/
Films Shining Light on Three Lives that Mattered
These three films challenge us to reflect on the larger issues concerning God’s role in our lives, who we are as human beings, and learning to love and living for the greater good. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://appliedunificationism.com/2020/02/03/films-shining-light-on-three-lives-that-mattered/
Fixed vs. Growth Mindset
To move forward, the first gen, in particular, need to develop what is popularly known today in education pedagogy as a “growth mindset.” This is in contrast to a “fixed mindset.” This episode is also available as a blog post: http://appliedunificationism.com/2019/06/03/fixed-vs-growth-mindset/
Revelation and Theology
The new publication, Reflections on Unification Theology: Revealing the World of Heart, which I co-authored with the late Dr. Dietrich Seidel, offers reflections and insights into Unification Theology. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://appliedunificationism.com/2021/06/07/revelation-and-theology/
Moving to More Widely Distributed Leadership and Decision-making
We are entering a time when the planets are aligned as they were a few years before the Revolutionary War, the Civil War and World War II. It’s hard to miss the chaos we are in, or the parallels with Britain, embroiled as it is in Brexit. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://appliedunificationism.com/2019/09/23/moving-to-more-widely-distributed-leadership-and-decision-making/