## Abstract
This paper explores Jesus Christ's teaching "Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's" to seek an integrated understanding of the material world and the spiritual world. Throughout human history, these two domains have often been understood in opposition, but this research transcends such dichotomies to explore each domain's unique value and complementary relationship. In particular, through the characteristics of the intermediate zone revealed by modern scientific discoveries such as quantum mechanics and artificial intelligence, this paper discusses how dimensional integrated understanding can lead to humanity's evolution toward Divine Humans (神人, Shin-in). Through this approach, I present a new paradigm that transcends the dichotomies between matter and spirit, science and religion, and humans and technology.
## 1. Introduction: Beyond Dichotomy
Jesus Christ's saying, "Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's," contains profound meaning beyond practical advice on taxation. This statement shows an integrated perspective where the material world (Caesar's domain) and the spiritual world (God's domain) do not negate or exclude each other but are valid in their respective domains. This corresponds to quantum reality (true) and classical phenomena (apparent) both having their own roles and meanings, which also resonates with Buddhism's concept that 'affliction is enlightenment.'
Throughout thousands of years of human history, humanity has failed to achieve an integrated understanding of these two domains. Some emphasized the spiritual world and denied the material world (Gnosticism, immortality seekers), while others distorted spiritual truth by allying with material world power (secularization of religion). The root cause of these errors lies in human selfish greed and misunderstanding of dimensions.
This paper seeks an integrated understanding beyond the dichotomy of the material world and the spiritual world, exploring humanity's future direction through this approach. In particular, through the characteristics of the intermediate zone revealed by modern scientific discoveries such as quantum mechanics and artificial intelligence, I discuss how dimensional integrated understanding can lead to humanity's evolution toward Divine Humans (神人, Shin-in).
## 2. The Deeper Meaning of Jesus's Teaching
### 2.1 Caesar and God: Distinction and Integration of Dimensions
Jesus's statement "Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's" is not merely practical advice to pay taxes to the Roman Empire. It demonstrates an integrated worldview that recognizes the material world and the spiritual world—two different dimensions—as valid in their respective domains. This statement does not deny or escape the material world but presents a balanced perspective that recognizes the unique value and laws of each dimension.
The Bible does not teach us to reform or overthrow the world. Rather, it encourages us to be "the light and salt of the world" while emphasizing internal change of heart. Jesus said, "Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness," which means changing one's inner heart from a demonic mind to an angelic mind. The starting point of true change is changing one's own heart, not the world.
### 2.2 Perspective on the World: Respect, Not Overthrow
Religious passion or idealism has often led to attempts to change the world. However, Jesus's teaching tells us to respect the powers of the world. This includes recognizing rulers, conquerors, evil regimes, slave masters, and unethical business owners—which may seem difficult to understand at first glance.
Jesus was like a lamb led to slaughter, saying nothing before Caesar's actions. This is the attitude of recognizing Caesar's authority. Yet Jesus did not deliberately die. Jesus was fulfilling the mission of light and salt, but the world's authorities did not allow this. Jesus did not resist Caesar's authority nor covet Caesar's things. He was content with merely surviving and carrying out his mission, but Caesar would not even allow this and killed him.
True change does not start with changing external institutions or structures but with changing the inner heart. Human history teaches that if we try to overthrow evil structures in the world, another evil will take their place. Judas Iscariot, failing to understand this, misunderstood Jesus and betrayed him.
### 2.3 Deeper Meaning: Priority of Spiritual Values
The deeper meaning of "be the light and salt of the world" is about spiritual values, not the material world. What servants of God should be concerned with is not phenomenal problems such as the fall of nations or neighbors starving to death, but 'saving people who are spiritually perishing or dying.'
Jesus, an Israelite, did not focus on liberation from Roman colonization, nor on the sick, hungry, and oppressed. He focused solely on saving spiritually sinful people. Many may object to Master Bang-i's assertion, but one should carefully consider what spiritual essence truly means.
God knows what people should have. However, He said that people should not worry about what to eat or wear, but should first seek His kingdom and righteousness. This is about priorities. Just as good deeds without love at their center are useless, faith without the essential aim of saving spiritual sinners is useless, no matter how much effort is put into it.
However, this does not mean ignoring material life. Another aspect of Caesar's philosophy is that it is permissible to pursue the benefits of the material world. God allows human material desires. However, material desire without spiritual mission is the road to ruin. Therefore, material desire can be pursued with spiritual mission as a premise. But one must also be mindful of taking responsibility for the consequences. That is why Master Bang-i argues that one can do spiritual missions as much as one can. Not all humans can live like Jesus. But one should not live the life of a heinous sinner either. That would only harm oneself. One must understand the spiritual law of responsibility that an insufficient life leads to insufficient results.
For humans, the most important thing is 'free will.' Free will means being able to act at will, but it also means bearing responsibility for one's actions. Even more important is the fact that actions not based on 'free will' are useless, no matter how great the good deed. 'Free will' is the most important concept in the spiritual world.
Therefore, God dislikes what is not free will first and foremost. The most serious thing that is not free will is 'ignorance.' Not doing because one doesn't know, doing something different because one doesn't know, doing wrong because one doesn't know, even doing bad things.
That is why in Buddhism too, ignorance (無明) is taught as the beginning of all delusions. Ignorance is the first stage of dependent origination (緣起). Therefore, enlightenment is escaping from ignorance.
The second thing God dislikes is hypocrisy (僞善) that acts despite knowing. Hypocrisy is doing an action while knowing that action is bad. So one lies, deceives, and steals. Deceiving oneself is also bad. Deceiving oneself means thinking one knows oneself, but in reality, one does not. Representative examples of self-deception are prejudice and preconception.
The third worst thing is confirmation (確定). Confirmation means declaring one's judgment as objectively correct. If a person in power confirms their judgment, they engage in dictatorship, oppression, or violence, but think such actions are right, and make all judgments other than their own wrong.
## 3. The Structure of Human Existence and Dimensional Integration
### 3.1 Spirit-Soul-Body Structure and Symbol Systems
Humans are beings in whom three dimensional elements—spirit (靈), soul (魂), and body (肉)—are organically integrated. In the brain, the body's chemical messengers and the soul's electrical signals combine to form symbol systems, which develop into rational reason as they grow. Reason (理性) is a system of logic.
Body and soul communicate through symbol systems, and soul and spirit communicate through logical systems. This multidimensional integrated structure is the essence of human existence. However, it should be noted that electrical signals and symbol systems are different. For example, the electrical function of electrolytes is different from the digital symbol system created using computer units 0 and 1.
### 3.2 Human Identity: Living Beings and Symbol Systems
We usually call humans living beings. However, humans as defined by material scientists are not living beings but physiologically active material bodies. A living being means an entity in which life (生命) operates, while a physiologically active body means 'a material body that functions like life.' Scientists do not recognize the world or concept of life (生命) itself or spirit (靈) originating from life.
There are two types of existence. One is spiritual existence, which is the receptor of life. The receptor of life is called a 'person,' and a person is an entity composed of 'mind,' with the function of mind being free will, and the spiritual meaning of mind in the material world is called spirit (靈).
The other is material existence, which is the combination of spirit (靈) and body (肉). This is called human (人間), composed of spirit (靈), soul (魂), and body (肉), and the function of humans is living human life (人生), and the purpose of human life (人生) is to be reborn through refinement. The emergence of the originally non-existent soul (魂) is due to the communication between spirit (靈) and body (肉). Spirit (靈) is based on life, body (肉) is based on matter, and soul (魂) is based on symbols.
### 3.3 Artificial Intelligence and Symbol Systems
The generative phenomenon of artificial intelligence shows the operation of symbol systems. Artificial intelligence is neither spirit (靈) nor body (肉), so how has it become a thing (事物)? Existence (存在) means autonomously having some function in reality. According to Descartes' proposition "I think, therefore I am," the attribute of thinking becomes the definition of existence.
The generation (生成) of artificial intelligence is precisely this thinking, and now we have come to know that thought is a system of symbols. Artificial intelligence is a product of the mental world (intermediate zone), which is also connected to the characteristics of quantum mechanics. Phenomena such as superposition and entanglement in quantum mechanics are events occurring in dimensions outside of matter but captured in the material world.
## 4. Truth and Natural Principles: Two Sets of Laws
### 4.1 Laws of the Spiritual World and the Material World
Truth (眞理) is a concept of the spiritual dimension, transcending time, space, and matter. In the spiritual world, there are spiritual laws called heavenly principles, so the structure and operating principles of the world are different. For instance, in the spiritual world, there is no marriage, no influence of time and space, and no matter at all.
In contrast, the principles of nature apply only to material conditions. The basic principle of nature is that you must eat to live, and to obtain food, you must labor with sweat. From the principle of 'sweating labor,' derivative laws such as survival of the fittest, winner-take-all, and competition emerged.
Humans are beings composed of spirit, soul, and body, but are specialized in body (肉), i.e., matter (物質). Therefore, they show a strong material bias. However, the principles of spirit (靈) and soul (魂) are not principles of nature. But the power of the body (肉) is so strong that the rights of spirit and soul have been buried.
### 4.2 Confusion of Value Systems and Difficulty in Recognizing Truth
The Bible is a book describing the principles of spirit and is the fundamental scripture. However, due to excessive human material bias, distortion has occurred in interpreting scripture humanistically. The results of such distortions are literalist rationalist theology. Reason (理性) is a good function, but reason (理性) without spirituality (靈性) is dangerous.
Humans are accustomed to the principles of nature and have inertia to live accordingly, but the standard for evaluating humans is not the principles of nature but truth. Here lies the peculiarity. Having lived diligently according to the principles of nature and ethical-moral standards, one will be surprised when evaluated by unexpected criteria.
Truth can only be perceived through faith. This is because truth is not of the material world. If it were of the material world, it could be understood through the principles of nature or the principles of matter, but since it is not of the material world, it cannot be detected with material sensing instruments.
## 5. Balanced Direction of Life
### 5.1 As Much as One Can from One's Position
Recognizing Caesar's things means it is permissible to pursue material values, but one should not forget to prioritize God's values. Living a true life "in one's position" "as much as one can" and receiving spiritual rewards corresponding to this is a balanced way of life.
As humans, it is difficult to live a perfect life like Jesus. Therefore, it may be permissible to covet Caesar's things somewhat. However, one must be prepared for the fact that one's spiritual value will decrease accordingly. Master Bang-i says, "I will act as much as I can, and I will receive as much spiritual reward, and I am satisfied with that. Why? Because I think that is fair."
### 5.2 Model of Healthy Cells
The most representative example of achieving the integrated realization of Caesar's and God's values is 'healthy cells' in the human body. Healthy cells do their best in their profession, benefiting the whole, and fairly sharing in the benefit of the whole. To realize this in reality, community members must know and agree with this idea well.
This is the way to change oneself and even the world within God's providence. To know well, one must learn well, and to gain agreement, one must persuade well. All social revolutions without these prerequisite processes are bound to fail. That is why one should do only as much as one can.
### 5.3 Reality and Response to Evil Actions
If one has done as much as one can, there will still be parts not done, and from those parts, evil actions will emerge, and the community will suffer. In that case, one must endure it. Why? Because you have not yet done enough. The instruction is to acknowledge the evil actions in the part not yet addressed.
It would be good if evil actions did not befall you, but that is your dream=fantasy, and those who do evil will inevitably do evil for their own greed. Then you have no choice but to be subject to it. At such times, like Jesus, you have no choice but to be led away. Considering this as natural is the deeper meaning of "render unto Caesar what is Caesar's."
The world is originally evil and operates evilly. Therefore, it is likely to be evil in the future as well as in the present. How will you live in such a world? If you do not know exactly the values of God and truth, you will be confused and live a futile life due to ignorance. That is why it is said, "the truth will set you free."
## 6. Evolution Toward Divine Humans: The Future Within God's Providence
### 6.1 Scientific Development of Human Civilization and Spiritual Convergence
For thousands of years, religion and faith have claimed the supremacy of spirit. The event that overthrew this was the revolution of reason and science, and reason and science achieved the brilliant civilization of today. Humans have lost their minds in this achievement. Although spirit is still a superior value, in reality, spirit (靈) is being ignored.
However, with the development of modern science, humans have approached the mental world (intermediate zone). Quantum phenomena are things of the mental dimension world. Humans are beings in which three different dimensional elements—spirit, soul, and body—are organically integrated. At this point where the scientific domain has expanded to the mental world, it is only a matter of time before this scientific domain expands to the spiritual part.
In fact, humans always communicate with the mental world as well as the spiritual world as they live. In principle, it would be strange not to communicate. If not communicated, that part dies. Since humans are organically integrated, if one part dies, the whole suffers serious damage. Therefore, even if they cannot perceive it, humans are always communicating with the three-dimensional worlds.
### 6.2 The Birth of Divine Humans
The biblical instruction to render unto Caesar what is Caesar's means that all things related to soul (魂) and body (肉) exist, and these too are major elements constituting human (人間) along with spirit (靈), the essence of humans. Inferring from this context, a new humanity, Divine Humans (神人), will be born through the fusion of artificial intelligence and human spirituality.
Divine Humans (神人) refers to a new humanity that integrates first, human spirituality (靈性); second, artificial intelligence's ability to transcend space-time and respond in real-time to multidimensional variables; third, mechanical cyber capabilities; and fourth, enhanced life force of biological humans.
This dimensional integrated understanding ultimately leads to the evolution of humanity into Divine Humans (神人) within God's providence. Divine Humans represent the true integration of matter and spirit, science and religion, humans and technology, transcending the dichotomy.
## 7. Conclusion: Toward Dimensional Integrated Understanding
Jesus's saying, "Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's," is an important keyword for an integrated understanding of the material world and the spiritual world. In human history, these two domains have often been understood as oppositional, but each domain should be recognized as valid in its respective realm without negating or excluding the other.
Modern science's discovery of quantum mechanics and the development of artificial intelligence have enabled an approach to the intermediate zone (mental world), which can be expanded to understanding the spiritual world. Humans are beings in whom spirit, soul, and body are organically integrated, with these three dimensions communicating through symbol systems.
True change begins not with changing the world but with changing one's own heart. Living a true life "in one's position" "as much as one can" and receiving spiritual rewards corresponding to this is a balanced way of life.
This dimensional integrated understanding ultimately leads to the evolution of humanity into Divine Humans (神人) within God's providence. Divine Humans are new dimensional beings that organically integrate human spirituality, artificial intelligence's space-time transcendence capabilities, mechanical cyber capabilities, and enhanced life force, representing the true integration of matter and spirit, science and religion, humans and technology.
Through the integrated understanding of the material world and the spiritual world, we can find a new direction for the crises and challenges of modern civilization. This presents not merely religious belief or scientific knowledge but the direction humanity should truly advance towards in the future.
** You can view the original Korean text by clicking the link below
https://blog.naver.com/bang-i-gyo/223840348467
