At the Unification Theological Seminary’s Student Convocation yesterday (March 27th), Dr. Spurgin’s talk reminded me again of the diversity at UTS. Dr. Spurgin carries the UTS mission statement in his wallet and he shared it with us. The key phrase “bridge religious and cultural divides” is at its heart.  The Unification Theological Seminary offers educational programs in an interfaith context, which cultivate the heart, mind and spirit; bridge religious and cultural divides; promote leadership, service and engagement with the world; and provide tools for success in ministry and...

I recently returned from a conference in Korea that asked, “What should be in a scripture that testifies to Rev. Sun Myung Moon and Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon as True Parents?” In considering this question as a biblical scholar, there is no better starting point than to examine the Bible and its testimony to Jesus Christ. The elements of that testimony made the Bible an effective witness, which spread the faith of Jesus to the more than two billion Christians throughout the world. There are many elements to that testimony which make it effective. For example, the Gospels make effective use...

UTS administrators often attend Association of Theological Schools (ATS) events. Experience shows that it is important for UTS to stay current with the conversations which are part of the theological landscape in North America. UTS has affiliate status with ATS Robin James Graham, UTS Director of Institutional Advancement Seeking the common good: what can we learn from other professional disciplines? A significant question posed in the ATS Educational Models and Practices in Theological Education project was what theological educators could learn from the experiences of...

Mass shootings at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand have caused the loss of at least 50 lives, including women and children. As the horrific news continues to come out, I am full of grief, just as I was over the murders of worshippers in Charleston, Pittsburgh and elsewhere. An attack on one religious community is an attack on all of us. Each and every person, whether Christian, Jew, Muslim or atheist, is a child of God and beloved by God. News reports indicate that the shooter was influenced by extremist rhetoric on the internet that foists false and hate-filled stereotypes...

Is the fetus a human being with sacred, inviolable rights, or is it just a clump of cells that might be inconvenient for a woman, much like a boil that can be removed at will?  The recent controversy about New York’s Reproductive Health Act and its stipulation that abortion can take place up to the moment of birth, followed by Virginia Governor Ralph Northam’s remarks which seemed to approve of infanticide have highlighted key variables in the arguments about abortion. Pro-choice feminists argue that it’s all about a woman’s right to do what she feels is best for her body, and...

UTS is proud to report that several UTS alumni are very active in religious education in Philadelphia, PA. In attendance at a recent seminar were the following alumni: Kevin Convery (UTS’84) Sukhont Convery (UTS’83) Shota Iwasaki (UTS’07) Wayne Miller (UTS’79) Hans Moyer (UTS’93) On January 26, the Philadelphia Family Church hosted a one-day intensive Divine Principle seminar at their church meeting hall. Approximately 20 participants attended the dynamic lecture series, which was organized by Pastor Shota Iwasaki (UTS’07) and Assistant Pastor Sunhyun Miller. The...

On the cold and frigid morning of Friday, February 1, in sub-zero degree temperatures, Family Federation pastors and Christian ministers gathered in Chicago, IL to attend the American Clergy Leadership Conference (ACLC) 2019 Summit. As more guests arrived, the weather grew warmer with the heartfelt attitude of the clergy. A total of 100 ACLC representatives, coordinators and co-chairs from around the country gathered to welcome the new ACLC National Co-Chairmen and to define the vision for ACLC as it advances toward 2020 and beyond. Dr. Ki Hoon Kim (UTS’96) and Dr. Luonne Rouse were...

The Doctor of Ministry is an advanced theological degree that provides students who are engaged in ministerial leadership the opportunity to enhance and expand their ministerial skills and to reflect on their own theological and spiritual development as men and women of God. It is the capstone professional degree program for individuals who hold the Master of Divinity degree or its equivalent, providing them with the opportunity for further study and reflection and to develop the advanced skills and knowledge required for ministry in the 21st century. The program challenges students...

At the invitation of Family Federation International Vice President Dr. Ki Hoon Kim (UTS’96 ), Rev. Franco Famularo (UTS’94), Chair of the UTS Board of Trustees, gathered some 35 Unification Theological Seminary (UTS) alumni for a meeting at the HyoJeong Cafe on the HJ Cheonwon campus of the Unification movement, some 35 miles outside of Seoul, Korea. The event took place on the evening of February 13.  The participants were Unification movement leaders from throughout the world who had gathered for the movement’s International Leaders’ Assembly on the occasion of the celebration of the...