I created this document as part of my Unity Ministerial training. I read Rev Roach’s book and made notes on my observations on how the 5 Principles of Unity is compared to the theology of the main stream Christian Churches.
Notes
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these. Mark 12:30-31
This chapter seeks to understand Christianity and Jesus through the lens of Unity’s five principles. Rev Roach looks at how each Unity’s principle understands or differs from the traditional Christian perspective.
As part of Christian history, it was interesting to learn that only 4 of the original 45 gospels made it to the final version of the New Testament and by 325 A.C. Jesus was clamed to be fully God and fully human by the Council of Nicaea. After the Great Schism in 1045 which was mostly about the disagreement on the Holy Trinity, the Christian churches shattered into numerous divisions in 1517 when Marin Luther placed the 95 Thesis on the church door of Wittenberg. Part of this thesis was about the nature of Jesus.
Looking at it from a theological point of view there are two mean world views determining the nature of Christianity and Jesus: The Church of Antioch and the Church of Alexandria. Denominations that follow the path of the Church of Antioch interpret Jesus’ life and teachings literally and create a division between human and divinity. They follow doctrines and place their faith in external order and authority. Whereas the churches that follow the path of the Church of Alexandira see Jesus, his teaching, and the Bible as symbols. They emphasize the union of the divine and the human and encourage freedom and awakening to divinity. The former is a dualistic approach, the latter is also the unitive viewpoint.
Principle 1 discusses the nature of God that is often seen as a bearded old man displaying human emotions which can prevent us seeing our oneness with God. Most Christian churches see the Satan or Devil as the negative force working against humanity and causing the ultimate sin and falling of Adam and Eve. From the Unitive perspective, God is absolute and everywhere present therefore everything that is not that is simply an error to be corrected by “surrender and entering a state of unknowing so we can arrive to the pure knowing”[2] which is oneness. As we enter the stillness beyond words and thoughts we commune with God.
Principle 2 discusses the question of redemption. The difference between traditional churches or the dualistic perspective and the unitive perspective is substantial. The former states that we are “children of God by adoption” and through Jesus’ sacrifice who is our “Lord and Saviour”[3] From a unitive perspective, Jesus is a way shower and for us to know that we are ‘children of God’ we only need to accept it and remember our true nature. They key is that transformation – a remembering – is a change of mind and heart. Traditional Christianity talks about reaping the rewards of sacrifice in the afterlife whereas Unity focuses on the joy of experiencing life as a conscious evolving.
Principle 3 discusses personal responsibility and the “individual’s ability to take charge of their own thoughts.”[4] Since traditional Christianity places all authority over one’s live outside of the individual, the phenomena of resurrection serve as the proof of the power of faith. However, the individual is not in charge of his/her restoration to Spirit but hopes to be saved by believing in Jesus’ deeds. From a unitive perspective mind action is the key to ‘resurrection’ which is a transformation of consciousness not an event.
Principle 4 discusses prayer as a means of connecting to the Divine presence. Even traditional Christianity admits that prayer of contemplation is the way of connecting to the God, however, its approach is dogmatic and instructive. Unity sees “the most important quality of prayer is authenticity and our ability to connect with heart and pray naturally and honestly.” Prayer is a practice that we learn with time. Unity uses affirmative prayer that intends to “align one’s creative thinking“ with the all-knowing Power of God. [5]
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33
Principle 5 discusses Jesus’ principal teaching which is love in action. History of traditional Christianity often failed to demonstrate this principle because of the endless religious wars, witch hunting, genocide, and inquisition. The Bible was not used as a book of love but to hammer the right ideology into others. Luckily, there have been those Christians who exemplified the gospel of love such as St Francis of Assisi or Mother Theresa. Living the loving can be challenging but Master Echart reminds u that when we let go of all concepts about God and others, we are able to act ‘unconditionally’. There are many ways to put love into actions e.g. through generosity and compassion.
Though Unity is considered a Protestant Christian division by the Fillmores, from a traditional Christian point of view it isn’t. However, since we can find numerous individuals throughout the history of traditional Christianity who talked about “the mysteries of the inner Christ within people” and Unity’s insistence in seeing Jesus as a master teacher or way shower, Unity can be called a Christian movement. “It is a movement that combines practical metaphysics with a core of unitive mysticism.”[6]
Final note: Neither traditional Christian approach to God nor the unitive approach to God is better than the other. It is a matter of personal presence.
Let nothing perturb you
Nothing frighten you
All things pass
God does not change
Patience achieves everything
Whoever has God lacks nothing
God alone suffices. Saint Teresa of Ávila[7]
Reference:
[1] Study Guide for Unity and the World Religions by Rev Paul John Roach, published by Unity Books, Unity Village
[2] Roach, Paul John. Unity and World Religions (p. 28). Unity Books. Kindle Edition.
[3] Roach, Paul John. Unity and World Religions (p. 21). Unity Books. Kindle Edition.
[4] Roach, Paul John. Unity and World Religions (p. 31). Unity Books. Kindle Edition.
[5] Roach, Paul John. Unity and World Religions (p. 35). Unity Books. Kindle Edition.
[6] Roach, Paul John. Unity and World Religions (p. 40). Unity Books. Kindle Edition.
[7] Roach, Paul John. Unity and World Religions (p. 49). Unity Books. Kindle Edition.
This writing is part of a series of writings on Unity vs other religions.