Test all Things, Hold Fast to what is Good.

A few days ago, July 8th, I finished the text to voice of the Exposition of the Divine Principle. This is the basic teaching of Sun Myung Moon and my goal is to make it accurate and accessible. I am surprised that pdf versions in cyberspace don't match with the actual books. To make it accessible it can now be read for you while polishing the car, walking the dog, or washing up (does anyone still do that in America?) 

While I was making the text to voice I could, of course, correct all the deviations from the pdf versions currently available with the actual book (which is becoming not so easy to get hold of). I could also, by doing this, engage with the Divine Principle again in a very thorough and intense way. I was impressed again with the logic of this teaching, as well as with the beautiful way it is expressed. This is a robust teaching that, surprisingly to some no doubt, aligns completely with the Bible. (There are many Bible references) It gives a superb overview of the history of God's restoration since the terrible event of the Fall of Mankind and, also, explains the human portion of responsibility (with which even God cannot interfere) that is only intimated in the Bible.

For example, God was sorry that He made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart, Genesis 6:6; (God speaking to Samuel) "I greatly regret that I have set up Saul as king, for he has turned back from following Me, and has not performed My commandments." 1 Samuel 15:11; and, "But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their companions, and saying: 'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; We mourned to you, and you did not lament.'" Matthew 11:16-17.

It is God's portion of responsibility to send the Messiah, but mankind's portion of responsibility whether or not the Messiah is accepted.

I was inspired to learn that Rush Limbaugh was engaging with the CAUSA teaching (like Critique and Counter Proposal to Communism) of Rev Moon before he died. I'm guessing that there are many people who are 'movers and shakers' who are connected with the teachings of Rev. Moon, as he made such an effort to outreach, even to starting several newspapers (very expensive) such as The Washington Times.

I'm hoping that so called 'ordinary people' too can check out for themselves this teaching. Hence my title for this blog which is from a comment by St. Paul in one of his many letters. For example, "The Second Coming of Elijah and John the Baptist" (Part 1, Chapter4 Section 2) shows the importance of the Malachi 4:5 prophecy and how John's denial of being the Elijah caused a huge obstacle for the then chosen people to come to Jesus, the Messiah.  

The Exposition of the Divine Principle is in three main parts. The first chapter deals with God's original ideal, and His motivation to create mankind. Understanding the original ideal is essential to understand the seriousness of the Fall of Man, and why God could not intervene to stop the Fall. Chapter 2 deals with the explanation of the origin of evil, even though God has no contradiction at all. God truly is completely good, and absolute. The rest of part one is dealing with such topics as Eschatology (Last Days) and Human History; The Messiah: His Advent and the Purpose of His Second Coming; Resurrection (as a process); Predestination; and Christology.

The current Christian teaching of the Trinity is couched in mystery because Gods original ideal is not properly understood. The Divine Principle teaching, on the other hand, makes total logical sense. This chapter (the final chapter of Part 1) also explains about the necessity for re-birth as an antidote to the result of the Fall. Exactly in line with Jesus' comment to Nicodemus; when he came to Jesus at night.

The 2nd part of the Exposition of the Divine Principle deals with the Providence of Restoration worked by God. Because of the Human portion of responsibility this has had to be worked in such a way that this was not compromised, resulting in a permanent damage to the original ideal of Creation. This is why the restoration of the Fall, which took place over a short period of time, has taken so long. In measured time (by sunrises and sunsets) it's in the ballpark of millions of years . . . (by the way, we all know the the sun doesn't really rise, or set, right?)

But the Restoration of the original ideal of God is totally worth it; we don't really have a clue of the humongous value of what we lost through the Fall. If we did then we'd spend a significantly larger portion of our life striving to recover it.

These are truly the Last Days right now. Just as there was considerable confusion in the time described by the Acts of the Apostles and the content of the letters (especially from St. Paul) there is confusion now from people (who should know better) in this time today. Just as St. Paul cut through this, by preaching the gospel of Christ, and no other; the potential confusion can be cut through, in these days, by connecting only with the teaching of the LSA, (Lord of the Second Advent) and no other. Simples, right?

Hoping that You, dear reader, will make some time to check this teaching out. In the spirit of the awesome Saint Paul, who advocated, to test all things, and hold fast to what is good.

I just read Richard Urban's blog too, and was going to appropriate it.  (but didn't) Here it is. 

Let me know what you think. We can reason together, right?

Andrew Derricutt