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      Chapter 1

      Theory of the Original Image

      As was stated in the Preface, Unification Thought is the thought which has appeared to lead humankind eternally by fundamentally solving all the difficult problems of humanity. Yet, the fundamental solution of all these difficult problems is possible only through a correct and full understanding of the attributes of God.

      The theory concerning the attributes of God, in Unification Thought, is called the Theory of the Original Image. “Original Image” means the attributes of God, the causal being. The attributes of God consist of “form” and also of “function” including nature, character, ability, etc. We call the former aspect the “Divine Image” and the latter aspect the “Divine Character.”

      In such historical religions as Christianity and Islam, the attributes of God have been expressed in various ways: omniscience, omnipotence, omnipresence, supreme good, supreme beauty, supreme truth, righteousness, love, creativity, and so on. Unification Thought certainly affirms such characteristics as these as included among the attributes of God. Yet, we can not solve actual problems fundamentally by limiting ourselves to this traditional way of understanding God’s attributes.

      Unification Thought considers such attributes as those mentioned as belonging to the Divine Character of God. A more important aspect of the attributes of God, however, is the Divine Image. The Divine Image consists of dual characteristics, as is explained in the Divine Principle. Only through a correct and full understanding of the Divine Image, as well as the Divine Character, will we be able to fundamentally solve the problems of human life, society, history, and the world.

      The Divine Image of God in Unification Thought refers to the dual characteristics of Sungsang and Hyungsang, and Yang and Yin, and to the Individual Images. The Divine Character in Unification Thought refers to Heart (Shimjung), Logos and Creativity. In this Theory of the Original Image, the content of the Divine Image and the Divine Character will be explained in the section “Content of the Original Image,” and the relationship between Sungsang and Hyungsang will be dealt with in the section “Structure of the Original Image.”

      1. I. Content of the Original Image
        1. 1. Divine Image
        2. 2. Divine Character
      2. II. Structure of the Original Image
        1. 1. Relative Relationship between Sungsang and Hyungsang
        2. 2. Give and Receive Action and Four Position Foundation
        3. 3. Origin, Division, and Union Action
        4. 4. Unity in the Structure of the Original Image
        5. 5. Ideal of Creation
      3. III. Traditional Ontologies and Unification Thought
      4. Note
        1. An example of the reciprocal relationship
        2. Heisenberg’s idea of “prime-matter”
        3. Explanation of the concepts “homogeneous elements” and “absolute attributes”
        4. Materialism, idealism and the “Theory of Oneness” from the point of view of monism
        5. David Bohm’s exploration of the realm of consciousness and the Theory of Oneness
        6. Appliance Geulincx’s occasionalism idea to epistemological questions
        7. What does the actualization of love mean to people?
        8. Two views on who owns the Universal Prime Force
        9. The concept of “inner dual characteristics”
        10. Freedom and necessity on the example of driving a car
        11. Cleve Baxter’s plant experiment
        12. J. Charon’s theory of complex relativity
        13. Reconciling homogeneity and reciprocity: understanding Sungsang and Hyungsang in Divine Creation
        14. Union and multiplication: the dynamics of sungsang and hyungsang in divine interaction
        15. Purpose and heart: centers of union and multiplication in the dynamics of sungsang and hyungsang
        16. Development as multiplication: a Divine Principle perspective on creation and growth
        17. Instinctive vs. rational creativity: comparing humans and animals
        18. Freedom: freedom of mind, freedom of emotions, or freedom of will?
        19. Complex and simple ideas as spiritual molds in Divine Creation
        20. Solving logical deadlocks: the role of the inner developmental four position foundation in the original sungsang
        21. Understanding the Pan-Divine-Image theory: clarifying Unification thought in contrast to pantheism
        22. Exploring living idea-molds: understanding the concept of a living mold in divine creation
        23. Distinguishing the inner sungsang of logos: creation of humans vs. creation of all things
        24. Three stages of growth and the number three in divine principle
        25. Proof of the existence of God