Unification Theology and the Christian Tradition

On November 21, a Faculty Roundtable featured Dr. Theodore Shimmyo, HJI President Emeritus and Adjunct Professor of Theology, entitled “Unification Theology and the Christian Tradition.” The event was hosted by Dr. Thomas Walsh, President. Steven Boyd, Dean of Enrollment Management and Student Life, gave welcoming and closing remarks. 

Dr. Shimmyo has done extensive research on theological teachings that are essential to not only Unificationism but to the wider Christian tradition as well; for example, the Doctrine of God, the Trinity, the Fall, Christology, Salvation, Providential History, and the Providence of True Parents. Dr. Shimmyo will soon publish, with HJI Press, a book entitled Unification Theology and the Christian Tradition. This webinar provided an opportunity for all of us to get a preview of the content of Dr. Shimmyo’s forthcoming publication.

Dr. Shimmyo shared that “much of traditional Christian theology has not been able to confidently talk about complete unity between God and creation. God, considered to be a perfect and infinite God, is quite distant from and unmoved by the imperfect and finite world of creation. Therefore many unsolvable difficult theological issues have arisen in Christian theology. By contrast, Unification theology has a conceptuality of complete unity between God and creation.” It is on that basis that Dr. Shimmyo believes Unification theology is able to provide solutions to address difficult issues. An  important view he shares is  that, “while providing solutions however, Unification theology appreciatively deals with Christian theologies’ accomplishments.”

The presentation was followed by an informative Q&A session.

You can watch the recording here.

Please be on the lookout for future Faculty Roundtable events.