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Exposition of the Divine Principle
This is the basic text explaining the theology of Unification Movement and essential teaching of Reverend Sun Myung Moon. Newly translated from the original Korean, this reveals provocative new insight into God's principles of the created world, the deeper nature of the Fall, the nature of salvation, the mission of Jesus and the Second Coming of Christ.
424 pages, Leather Bound
First published January 1, 1996
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172 people want to read
About the author
Sun Myung Moon
70 books13 followersSun Myung Moon (Korean 문선명; born Mun Yong-myeong) was the founder and leader of the worldwide Unification Church.
He is also the founder of many other organizations and projects. One of the best-known of these is News World Communications, an international media conglomerate which publishes The Washington Times and other newspapers.
He is also the founder of many other organizations and projects. One of the best-known of these is News World Communications, an international media conglomerate which publishes The Washington Times and other newspapers.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 9, 2012
This is the 1996 translation of the Divine Principle from Korean. This is indispensible for serious students of the new religious movements in general and the Unification Church in particular. Modern readers, who are used to having everything spelled out in detail, may be challenged by the Divine Principle. Taken superficially, it may not seem like much, but if you take the time and make the effort you will find incredible depth. The basic concepts are explained, but the application of these concepts is left for the reader to discover.
To get the most out of the Divine Principle it should be studied side by side with the Bible. The author assumes that the reader has a solid foundation of Bible knowledge. It is especially valuable to read the Bible verses in context when they are reference in the Divine Principle text or as footnotes. Here is an example from Chapter 4 of Divine Principle.
We can infer this from Jesus' own teaching to his disciples, "You, therefore, must be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matt. 5:48) According to the Principle of Creation, a person who has realized the purpose of creation does not commit sin, because he is in full harmony with God and possesses a divine nature. With respect to the purpose of creation, such a person is perfect as Heavenly Father is perfect. -Chapter 4 The Messiah: His Advent and the Purpose of His Coming.
To understand this reference to human perfection in the Divine Principle we have to read Matt 5:48 in context.
5:43"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor[a] and hate your enemy.' 44But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matt. 5:43-48 (NIV)
This makes it clear that perfection as taught in Divine Principle is the perfection of love. Our love must be unconditional like God's love. In a larger context, this key point is crucial to understanding the Unification Movement and its central focus on achieving world peace through loving and reconciling with historical enemies.
Other resources may also be used, such as The Master Plan by Kevin McCarthy or Essentials of Unification Thought.
To get the most out of the Divine Principle it should be studied side by side with the Bible. The author assumes that the reader has a solid foundation of Bible knowledge. It is especially valuable to read the Bible verses in context when they are reference in the Divine Principle text or as footnotes. Here is an example from Chapter 4 of Divine Principle.
We can infer this from Jesus' own teaching to his disciples, "You, therefore, must be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matt. 5:48) According to the Principle of Creation, a person who has realized the purpose of creation does not commit sin, because he is in full harmony with God and possesses a divine nature. With respect to the purpose of creation, such a person is perfect as Heavenly Father is perfect. -Chapter 4 The Messiah: His Advent and the Purpose of His Coming.
To understand this reference to human perfection in the Divine Principle we have to read Matt 5:48 in context.
5:43"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor[a] and hate your enemy.' 44But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matt. 5:43-48 (NIV)
This makes it clear that perfection as taught in Divine Principle is the perfection of love. Our love must be unconditional like God's love. In a larger context, this key point is crucial to understanding the Unification Movement and its central focus on achieving world peace through loving and reconciling with historical enemies.
Other resources may also be used, such as The Master Plan by Kevin McCarthy or Essentials of Unification Thought.
August 7, 2012
I have read and re-read this book. It never fails to stimulate my heart and mind. I first read it many years ago. As the years went on I realized that having only read some of the Bible had limited my experience with the Divine Principle greatly. Over time I read the Bible through many times and memorized much of it. As I did so, it continually reminded me of the Divine Principle. Factually, nearly any scriptural reading from Jewish, Buddhist, and other writings remind me of some passage or idea in Divine Principle.
Reading from the various world religions (mostly from the Bible) I find that my Divine Principle reading is Incredibly Enhanced. Of course, reading Divine Principle has increased my delight in these other writings as well.
Reading from the various world religions (mostly from the Bible) I find that my Divine Principle reading is Incredibly Enhanced. Of course, reading Divine Principle has increased my delight in these other writings as well.
October 7, 2018
Dagli albori della storia fino ai giorni nostri, l'uomo ha cercato senza posa la verità con cui superare entrambi i tipi d'ignoranza (religiosa e scientifica) e conseguire la piena conoscenza. Attraverso la religione, l'umanità ha seguito il percorso dell'indagine della verità interiore, e attraverso la scienza ha seguito il percorso della ricerca della verità esteriore. La religione e la scienza, ciascuna nella propria sfera, sono state i metodi di esplorazione della verità, per superare l'ignoranza e trovare la conoscenza.
March 7, 2015
A must read if you care about God, your life's purpose or the state of the world. It is not an easy read however, delving into deep topics such as the nature of God and the Universe, the purpose of life, the relationship between the spiritual world and the physical world, the cause of evil, how God has worked through human history to create a path toward peace and restoration of God's original ideal.
This is a book that you could read over and over your whole life and gain deeper understanding each time. It is a book that can transform the way one sees life and the way one lives life on a daily basis. The book is outlined so that each chapter builds upon the understanding gained in the previous. Chapters should not be taken out of context or order otherwise it limits the ability to fully understand.
It was written specifically for a Christian audience but the basic principles have a much wider application. There are many other books containing the speeches, writings and principles taught by Sun Myung Moon that clarify and broaden one's understanding of the Unification Principles. Without a full and in depth understanding the Divine Principle can be misunderstood. Without an open and prayerful mind it surely will be misunderstood.
I must also caution that this book is one of several translations. There are some points where it differs from the original hand written book, however most of it is accurate.
This is a book that you could read over and over your whole life and gain deeper understanding each time. It is a book that can transform the way one sees life and the way one lives life on a daily basis. The book is outlined so that each chapter builds upon the understanding gained in the previous. Chapters should not be taken out of context or order otherwise it limits the ability to fully understand.
It was written specifically for a Christian audience but the basic principles have a much wider application. There are many other books containing the speeches, writings and principles taught by Sun Myung Moon that clarify and broaden one's understanding of the Unification Principles. Without a full and in depth understanding the Divine Principle can be misunderstood. Without an open and prayerful mind it surely will be misunderstood.
I must also caution that this book is one of several translations. There are some points where it differs from the original hand written book, however most of it is accurate.
April 7, 2020
Heresy
This book has been used to foster several Korean high demand end times 144,000 new religious movements aka cults such as Shincheonji led by messiah figure Lee Man Hee. It has mission centers globally and in the US, SoCal, NYC, DC , etc. They recruit via deception pretending to be much in common in order to bring victims to their Bible Study.
This book has been used to foster several Korean high demand end times 144,000 new religious movements aka cults such as Shincheonji led by messiah figure Lee Man Hee. It has mission centers globally and in the US, SoCal, NYC, DC , etc. They recruit via deception pretending to be much in common in order to bring victims to their Bible Study.
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October 15, 2021Even though I no longer believe, I’m including church books on my bookshelf because they’re an integral part of my history. And despite all the negatives of my religious upbringing, one silver lining is that the daily religious reading I used to do gave me above average reading + writing skills.
August 18, 2018
Il libro più importante della mia vita
February 26, 2022
The best book I have ever read, hands down!
September 22, 2022
Good book
March 26, 2023
A MUST if you are interested in the Unification movement and a real understanding of the movement's theology. The text allows the reader to discover for themselves. I rated it 3 stars not because the text is go great but only because it is good for the aforementioned reasons.
January 24, 2022
An amazing book of life
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews