What is the Abel-type and Cain-type worldview?
The Abel-type and Cain-type worldviews delineate the ongoing struggle between good and evil throughout history. The Cain-type, rooted in selfish love and a fallen nature, seeks dominance and manifests in ideologies that reject God. The Abel-type, grounded in true love and obedience to God, strives for harmony and reconciliation. Human history's purpose is to restore God's sovereignty by Abel-types guiding Cain-types toward true love, culminating in a world of peace and unity.
This question explores the profound concept of Abel-type and Cain-type worldviews, a foundational narrative in both the Bible and Divine Principle. Understanding their contrasting worldviews is crucial for grasping God's Providence of Restoration and the dynamic tension throughout human history, offering a blueprint for resolving conflict and achieving true peace. Human history is the providence of restoration, aiming to lay the foundation to receive the Messiah by separating from Satan's selfish love. This process begins within oneself, dividing into Abel on the heavenly side of true love and Cain on the satanic side of false love, then establishing conditions for Abel to bring Cain to change.
The Biblical Foundation
The biblical narrative of Cain and Abel is brief yet pregnant with meaning. Genesis 4 describes Cain, a farmer, bringing an offering of the fruit of the ground, while Abel, a shepherd, brings fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. "The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor" (Genesis 4:4-5). This providential distinction sparked Cain's jealousy and anger, leading him to murder Abel. "Then the Lord said to Cain, 'Where is your brother Abel?' 'I don't know,' he replied. 'Am I my brother’s keeper?'" (Genesis 4:9). Cain's rejection of responsibility and the subsequent murder introduce sin, fratricide, and alienation from God into humanity's story. The Bible presents a stark contrast in their offerings and God's response, which raises profound questions about the precise nature of Cain's unworthiness and Abel's favor. Why did God prefer Abel's offering? What was the root cause of Cain's unacceptable offering and his subsequent violent act? As it is written, "For whatsoever is not of faith is sin" (Romans 14:23), suggesting a deeper spiritual failing in Cain's heart.
Divine Principle's Clarification
The Divine Principle meticulously clarifies the Cain-type and Abel-type worldviews by explaining the spiritual significance of their offerings and actions within the context of the Fall of Man and God's Providence of Restoration. Human history is a process of separating good and evil, where the Abel side must overcome the Cain side. This struggle between good and evil begins within oneself and extends to family, nation, religion, and the world level. God divides good and evil, establishing conditions wherein the good side can naturally win over the evil side through sacrificial love. The dynamics began with Abel and Cain, whose traits and motives are repeated on larger and larger levels. This condition between the Abel-type and Cain-type appears internally as a struggle between Abel-type and Cain-type worldviews (e.g., religion or ideology) and externally as wars between Abel-type and Cain-type forces. God intended for Abel to guide Cain, to serve as the Abel-type figure to bring the Cain-type to God, demonstrating the Principle of restoration through indemnifying conditions. Cain's murder of Abel represents the Archangel-type's inability to submit to the human-type's guidance, perpetuating the fallen pattern of fratricide and blocking the path to a restored relationship with God. As the scripture states, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God" (Romans 12:2).
The Completed Understanding
When the Bible and Divine Principle are understood together, the Cain-type and Abel-type worldviews reveal a profound and comprehensive understanding of human history as a battle between good and evil. The Bible introduces the consequences of sin and the initial paradigm of failed sibling relationships (Genesis 4:8), laying the foundation for understanding humanity's ongoing struggle. The Divine Principle then illuminates the underlying spiritual dynamics, showing how the Cain-type worldview is characterized by self-centeredness, defiance, and a propensity for violence, stemming from the fallen nature. This mirrors the Archangel's rebellion against God and Adam and Eve. Examples include the French Revolution, which was a Cain-type democracy that eliminated God, and later, the communist ideology based on dialectical materialism, advocating class struggle and violent revolution, which manifested in the Communist Bloc of the 20th century. In contrast, the Abel-type worldview embodies humility, obedience, love for God, and a willingness to serve, reflecting the original ideal nature God intended. The American Revolution, fought for religious freedom based on Christian principles, is an example of an Abel-type democracy. The Reformation and subsequent Awakenings also cultivated the Abel-type worldview, emphasizing direct personal experience of Christ. History shows this struggle in events like World War I and II, where Abel-type nations (e.g., England, America, France, allowing religious freedom) opposed Cain-type nations (e.g., Germany, Austria, Turkey, suppressing religious freedom; Axis powers of Germany, Italy, Japan). The providence of restoration hinges on the Abel-type taking the lead to embrace and guide the Cain-type, culminating in reconciliation and universal brotherhood. "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" (Ephesians 6:12), highlighting the spiritual nature of this enduring conflict.
Living the Principle
1. Cultivate Abel-type internal values: Prioritize love for God, truth, and others over self-centered desires, working to overcome selfish tendencies within yourself and promoting humility and service (Matthew 22:37-39). 2. Practice sacrificial love in relationships: Seek to understand and embrace those with differing viewpoints or backgrounds, aiming to bridge divides through empathy and dialogue rather than confrontation (John 13:34). 3. Support Abel-type societal advancements: Advocate for institutions and policies that promote religious freedom, human rights, and democratic values founded on God-centered principles, contributing to a world where peace and cooperation can flourish. 4. Engage in God-centered unification efforts: Work toward reconciliation in conflicts, both personal and societal, by embodying the principle of the elder serving the younger, guiding the Cain-type toward a heart of true love and unity with God (Luke 22:26).
These answers explain the Bible in the light of the Divine Principle, the teachings of Reverend Sun Myung Moon. Read about the author, Sun Myung Moon.
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Sources and further reading
- The Holy Bible, King James Version — Scripture quoted and referenced throughout the answers.
- The Divine Principle (full text) — The complete text of the Divine Principle, the teaching of Reverend Sun Myung Moon that these answers explain.
- Unification texts library (tparents.org) — Large online library of Unification texts, sermons and collected speeches, including the Cheon Seong Gyeong.
- Short video lectures in English — Playlist of short English video lectures presenting these same principles.