World Scripture Ⅱ
Part One - God and Creation
Chapter 1 - God
1) Knowledge of God
How can human beings recognize the existence of the Absolute Being? Philosophers have ever pondered this question; some offering proofs while others are skeptical that any such knowledge can be had. Although such discussion is beyond the scope of this anthology, certain arguments are put forth in scripture. God has left evidence of His existence and provided ways for people to know Him, if they only look.
The first of these is evidence of God’s handiwork in the creation. Numerous scientists testify that the more they studied nature, the more certain they were of a Designer. Inventor Thomas Edison remarked, “The universe is permeated by Intelligence. I tell you, no person can be brought into close contact with the mysteries of nature or make a study of chemistry without being convinced that behind all, there is a supreme Intelligence.”
The second path to God is the doorway of contemplation, that innermost self which senses God’s reality. The apprehension of God is mystical, not intellectual. Blaise Pascal said, “It is the heart which perceives God, and not the reason.” Father Moon teaches that God is most essentially our Parent; hence we should experience Him with the same immediacy that we know our own parents. The third type of evidence is supernatural. Few of us have access to this source, but we regard those who have such experiences as trustworthy guides. They are the founders of religion and people who have journeyed into the spiritual realms.
1. Traces of God in the Creation
Religious scriptures
For what can be known about God is plain to [all], because God has showed it to them. Ever since the creation of the world his invisible nature, namely, his eternal power and deity, has been clearly perceived in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
Romans 1.19-20
We shall show then Our signs on the horizons and within themselves until it becomes clear to them that it is the Truth.
Qur’an 41.53
And of His signs is that He created you from the dust; now behold you are human beings, ranging widely. And of His signs is that He created for you, of yourselves, spouses that you might find repose in them, and He has planted love and kindness in your hearts. Surely there are signs in this for people who reflect.
And of His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth and the variety of your tongues and hues, surely there are signs in this for people who have knowledge. And of His signs is your slumber by night and day, and your seeking of His bounty. Surely there are signs in this for people who hear.
The lightning which He shows you for fear and hope is yet another of His signs; He sends down water from the sky, thereby reviving the earth after it is dead. Surely in this there are signs for people who understand. And of His signs is that space and the earth stand firm by His command; then when He calls you, suddenly, from the earth you shall emerge.
Qur’an 30.20-25
For each and every form he is the Model; it is his form that is to be seen everywhere; Indra moves multiform by his creative charm; the bay steeds yoked to his car are a thousand.
Rig Veda 6.47.18 (Hinduism)
Too many people have a microscopic idea of the Creator. If they would only study his wonderful works as shown in nature herself and the natural laws of the universe, they would have a much broader idea of the great Engineer. Indeed, I can almost prove [God’s] existence by chemistry. One thing is certain: the universe is permeated by Intelligence. I tell you, no person can be brought into close contact with the mysteries of nature or make a study of chemistry without being convinced that behind all, there is a supreme Intelligence.
Thomas Edison
So also did We show Abraham the power and the laws of the heavens and the earth, that he might have certitude. When the night covered him over, he saw a star; he said, “This is my Lord.” But when it set, he said, “I love not those that set.” When he saw the moon rising in splendor, he said, “This is my Lord,” but when the moon set, he said, “Unless my Lord guide me, I shall surely be among those who go astray.”
When he saw the sun rising in splendor, he said, “This is my Lord; this is the greatest of all,” but when the sun set, he said, “O my people! I am indeed free from your [error] of ascribing partners to God. For me, I have set my face firmly and truly towards Him who created the heavens and the earth, and never shall I ascribe partners to God.”
Qur’an 6.75-79
All things are made to bear record of Me, both things which are temporal and things which are spiritual; things which are in the heavens above, and things which are on the earth, and things which are in the earth, and things which are under the earth, both above and beneath: all things bear record of Me.
Pearl of Great Price, Moses 6.63 (Latter-day Saints)
The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, neither is their voice heard; Yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.
Psalm 19.1-4
Teachings of Sun Myung Moon
How can we know the divine nature of the incorporeal God? One way to fathom His deity is by observing the universe which He created. Thus, St. Paul said: Ever since the creation of the world His invisible nature, namely, His eternal power and deity, has been clearly perceived in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. (Rom. 1.20) Just as a work of art displays the invisible nature of its maker in a concrete form, everything in the created universe is a substantial manifestation of some quality of the Creator’s invisible, divine nature. As such, each stands in a relationship to God. Just as we can come to know the character of an artist through his works, so we can understand the nature of God by observing the diverse things of creation.
(Exposition of the Divine Principle, Creation 1.1)
The human body reflects the mystery of God. Analyze and dissect it using your intellect, and even after millions of years you would not know all there is to know about your body. Despite thousands of eye doctors, there are still innumerable mysteries about the eye. Do you think medical science knows all there is to know about the eye? No, their knowledge is still in its infancy. How, then, can these “infants” say there is no God?
(95:123, November 6, 1977)
Look at the eye. Before it was formed, the eye must have been designed by someone who realized that it would be functioning in an atmosphere of dust and wind. It was designed in such a way to adjust to such conditions. Do you think the eye knew ahead of time what conditions it would face? If it did not, there must be Someone who knew, and who created the eye with the means to protect it. There must be some Intelligence, operating behind the scenes, which had cosmic knowledge. It knew that the earth’s heat would cause moisture to evaporate from the surface of the eye, so it made tear ducts to lubricate it. There is Reason within the design of nature. Look at the eyelids, designed to prevent the serious problem of dust entering the eye. Look at the eyebrows; they were designed to block sweat from running down into the eye. Did the eyebrows appear knowing that they would have this function? Or did the eyes put on eyebrows because they knew this of themselves? No. There is an Intelligence that knew in advance the environment in which the eye would be functioning and designed the eye precisely for it.
(117:78, February 1, 1982)
One way to prove the existence of God is by observing the abundant evidence that God is trying to promote world citizenship and the concept of the world as one nation. Can you find a certain universal ingredient in religion that encourages loyalty beyond the level of nation or race? That evidence alone is sufficient for us to recognize the existence of God, who through the course of history has been promoting unity.
(95:63, October 23, 1977)
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