Bahá’í News/Inserts/Issue 339/The Baha’i Revelation and Christendom/Text

Bahá’í Revelation and Christendom

Proofread onceReturn to PDF view

[Page 1]

THE BAHÁ’Í REVELATION AND CHRISTENDOM

A STATEMENT BY THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHÁ’ÍS OF THE UNITED STATES WILMETTE, ILLINOIS [Page 2]

THE BAHA’I REVELATION AND CHRISTENDOM

According to the public press, the papal head of the Roman Catholic Church has called a conference, to be held in about two years, for the purpose of achieving the unity of Christendom. The position of the Roman Church as reported is that it represents the only true religion of Christ and therefore the obligation of all Christian denominations and sects is to return to the fold.

This challenge to the entire body of Christians throughout the world will unquestionably arouse increasing interest and lead to pronouncements for and against the Catholic thesis.

The National Spiritual Assembly reminds the believers that no Bahá’í, and no Bahá’í institution is to be drawn into this controversy nor take sides for or against any particular sect or church pronouncement. We are neutral in all matters of religious controversy, holding to the basic Bahá’í teachings of the oneness of religion and the oneness of mankind.

However, if any Bahá’í is given opportunity to explain the Bahá’í teachings on religious unity, he is naturally free to do so and the better his background of information about the teachings, the more effective his statements will be.

The National Spiritual Assembly, therefore, feels it important to cite Bahá’í texts and to supply references in order to assist the friends to exploit what may well prove to be one of the most promising opportunities for teaching we have yet encountered in America.

"Ye, and All Ye Possess, Shall Pass Away"

On pages 26 and 27 of The Promised Day is Come the Guardian quoted words of Bahá’u’lláh:

"O kings of Christendom! heard ye not the sayings of Jesus, the Spirit of God, ’I go away, and come again unto you?’ Wherefore then did ye fail, when He did come again unto you in the clouds of heaven, to draw nigh unto Him, that ye might behold His face and be of them that attain His presence? In another passage He saith: ’When He, the Spirit of Truth is come, He will guide you into all truth.’ And yet, behold how, when He did bring the truth, ye refused to turn your faces towards Him and persisted in disporting yourselves with your pastimes and fancies. Ye welcomed Him not, neither did ye seek His Presence, that ye might hear the verses of God from His own mouth, and partake of the manifold wisdom of the Almighty, the All-Glorious, the All-Wise. Ye have, by reason of your failure, hindered the breath of God from being wafted over you, and have withheld from your souls the sweetness of its fragrance. Ye continue roving with delight in the valley of your corrupt desires. Ye, and all ye possess, shall pass away. Ye shall, most certainly, return to God, and shall be called to account for your doings in the presence of Him Who shall gather together the entire creation . . ."

Religion a Social Evolution

The Bahá’í student will also carefully review Bahá’u’lláh’s Tablet to the Pope (pages 30-32) and the Guardian’s own words on "The Crumbling of Religious Orthodoxy," pages 76-81, followed by excerpts from Tablets revealed to Muhammadan divines and the Christian clergy, pages 81-87. The section in this same book (pages 124-126) entitled "Religion and Social Evolution" also has deep significance. For example: "The revelation associated with the faith of Jesus Christ focused attention primarily on the redemption of the individual and the molding of his conduct, and stressed, as its central theme, the necessity of manifesting a high standard of morality and discipline unto man, as the fundamental unit in human society. Nowhere in the Gospels do we find any reference to the unity of nations or the unification of mankind as a whole."

The high station attributed to Jesus Christ by Bahá’u’lláh is clearly attested by the fact that in the index of Gleanings there are fourteen references to Him, as well as eight references to Christendom and Christians.

The Kitáb-i-Íqán, "this book of unsurpassed pre-eminence among the writings of the Author of the Bahá’í Revelation," as the Guardian described it, constitutes our most potent text on the sayings of Christ and the unity of the Prophets, and frequent study and meditation on this sacred text inspires the believer to know the answer to questions raised concerning the reality of faith and the manifestation of the Divine Will.

Fulfillment of the Dispensation of Christ

‘Abdu’l-Bahá prepared the believers of the west to understand that the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh appeared not in opposition to but in fulfillment of the dispensation of Christ. In one of our earliest sources of information, Some Answered Questions, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá unveiled the Bible passages which foretold the coming of Bahá’u’lláh in this day. In Part I we find that section VI is entirely devoted to Christ, while sections X, XI, XII and XIII expound the mysterious prophecies found in the book of Daniel, the revelation of St. John, and the book of Isaiah.

Part II on "Some Christian Subjects" likewise discloses the radiance of the Divine purpose in the Revelation of Christ in its reality before the light becomes darkened by the accretion of dogma and superstition.

The Master’s address in City Temple, London, was one of His first talks to a Christian audience. "O noble friends, seekers after God! Praise be to God! Today the light of truth is shining upon the world in its abundance; the breezes of the heavenly garden are blowing throughout all regions; the call of the Kingdom is heard in all lands, and the breath of the Holy Spirit is felt in all hearts that are faithful. The Spirit of God is giving eternal life. In this wonderful age the east is enlightened, the west is fragrant, and everywhere the soul inhales the holy perfume. The sea of the unity of mankind is lifting up its waves with joy, for there is real communication between the hearts and minds of men. The banner of the Holy Spirit is uplifted, and men see it, and are assured with the knowledge that this is a new day. [Page 3]

A New Cycle of Human Power

"This is a new cycle of human power. All the horizons of the world are luminous and the world will become indeed as a garden and a paradise. It is the hour of unity of the sons of men and of the drawing together of all races and all classes. You are loosed from ancient superstitions which have kept men ignorant, destroying the foundations of true humanity.

"The gift of God to this enlightened age is the knowledge of the oneness of mankind and of the fundamental oneness of religion. Wars shall cease between nations, and by the will of God the Most Great Peace shall come; the world will be seen as a new world, and all men will live as brothers."

The Foundations of Religions Are One

"There is one God; mankind is one; the foundations of religion are one. Let us worship Him and give praise for all His great Prophets and Messengers who have manifested His brightness and glory."

During His mission in North America, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá addressed congregations in some twenty-five Christian churches and Jewish synagogues. His address in the Church of the Ascension, New York, on April 14, 1912 developed the theme: "For now we see through a glass darkly, but then face to face."

"The light of truth," He declares, "has heretofore been seen dimly through variegated glasses, but now the splendors of divinity shall be visible through the translucent mirrors of pure hearts and spirits. The light of truth is the divine teaching, heavenly instruction, merciful principles and spiritual civilization. Since my arrival in this country I find that material civilization has progressed greatly; that commerce has attained the utmost degree of expansion; arts, agriculture and all details of material civilization have reached the highest stage of perfection; but spiritual civilization has been left behind. Material civilization is like unto the lamp, while spiritual civilization is the light in that lamp. If the material and spiritual civilization become united, then we will have the light and the lamp together and the outcome will be perfect. For material civilization is like unto a beautiful body and spiritual civilization is like unto the spirit of life. If that wondrous spirit of life enters this beautiful body, the body will become a channel for the distribution and the development of the perfections of humanity."

Submerged in a Sea of Materialism

"All the Prophets have come to promote divine bestowals, to found a spiritual civilization and teach the principles of morality. Therefore we must strive with all our powers so the spiritual influences may gain the victory. For material forces have attacked mankind. The world of humanity is submerged in a sea of materialism. The rays of the Sun of Reality are seen but dimly and darkly through opaque glasses. The penetrative power of the divine bounty is not fully manifest."

The Most Important Principle of Divine Philosophy

Speaking in Earl Hall, Columbia University, April 19. 1912, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá expounded the qualities of the different kingdoms of nature from mineral to human — "the highest specialized organism of visible creation, embodying the qualities of the mineral, vegetable and animal, plus an ideal endowment absolutely minus and absent in the lower kingdoms the power of intellectual investigation into the mysteries of outer phenomena. The outcome of this intellectual endowment is science which is especially characteristic of man." Further in this address ‘Abdu’l-Bahá brought out the spiritual quality of human existence. "As material knowledge is illuminating those within the walls of this great temple of learning, so also may the light of the spirit, the inner and divine light of the real philosophy, glorify this institution. The most important principle of divine philosophy is the oneness of the world of humanity, the unity of mankind, the bond conjoining east and west, the tie of love which blends human hearts."

"All the divine Manifestations have proclaimed the oneness of God and the unity of mankind. They have taught that men should love and mutually help each other in order that they might progress. Now if this conception of religion be true, the essential principle is the oneness of humanity. The fundamental truth of the manifestations is peace. This underlies all religion, all justice. The divine purpose is that men should live in unity, concord and agreement and should love one another. Consider the virtues of the human world and realize that the oneness of humanity is the primary foundation of them all. Read the gospel and the holy books. You will find their fundamentals are one and the same.

The Essential Truth of Religion

"Therefore unity is the essential truth of religion and when so understood embraces all the virtues of the human world. Praise be to God! This knowledge has been spread, eyes have been opened, and ears have become attentive. Therefore we must endeavor to promulgate and practice the religion of God which has been founded by all the Prophets. And the religion of God is absolute love and unity."

In Washington, D. C., on April 21, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá revealed the nature of this age.

"In this present cycle there will be an evolution in civilization unparalleled in the history of the world. The world of humanity has heretofore been in the stage of infancy: now it is approaching maturity. Just as the individual human organism having attained the period of maturity reaches its fullest degree of physical strength and ripened intellectual faculties, . . . likewise the world of humanity in this cycle of its completeness and consummation will realize an immeasurable upward progress: and that power of accomplishment whereof each individual human reality is a depository of God — that outworking universal spirit like the intellectual faculty will reveal itself in infinite degrees of perfection."

Speaking on the same day in the Universalist Church, the Master further developed this theme: [Page 4]

Prejudices Have Hindered the Progress of Humanity

"It is evident that prejudices arising from adherence to religious forms and imitation of ancestral beliefs have hindered the progress of humanity thousands of years. How many wars and battles have been fought, how much division, discord and hatred have been caused by this form of prejudice. But inasmuch as this century is a century of the revelation of reality, praise be to God! the thoughts of men are being directed toward the welfare and unity of humanity. Daily the mirage of imitations is passing away and the ocean of truth is surging more tumultuously. All the existing nations had a divine foundation of truth or reality originally which is intended to be conducive to the unity and accord of mankind, but the light of that reality gradually became obscured. The darkness of superstition and imitation came and took its place, binding the world of humanity in the chains and fetters of ignorance. Enmity arose among men, increasing to such an extent that nation strove against nation in hatred and violence. War has been a religious and political human heritage.

We Must Put Away These Superstitions

"Now it is enough! We must investigate reality. We must put away these superstitions."

"All the Prophets, including Jesus Christ, appeared in the world for the education of humanity, to develop immature souls into maturity, to transform the ignorant of mankind into the knowing, thereby establishing love and unity through divine education and training. The Prophets have not come to cause discord and enmity. For God has wished all good for His servants, and he who wishes the servants of God evil is against God; he has not obeyed the will and emulated the example of God; he has followed satanic leadings and footprints. The attributes of God are love and mercy; the attribute of Satan is hate."

Man Has Two Aspects

"Man has two aspects the physical which is subject to nature, and the merciful or divine which is connected with God. If the physical or natural disposition in him should overcome the heavenly and merciful he is then the most degraded of animal beings; and if the divine and spiritual should triumph over the human and natural he is verily an angel. The Prophets come into the world to guide and educate humanity so that the animal nature of man may disappear and the divinity of his powers become awakened. The divine aspect or spiritual nature consists of the breaths of the Holy Spirit. The second birth of which Jesus has spoken refers to the appearance of this heavenly nature in man. It is expressed in the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and he who is baptized by the Holy Spirit is a veritable manifestation of divine mercy to mankind. Then he becomes just and kind to all humanity; he entertains prejudice and ill will toward none; he shuns no nation or people.

"The foundations of the divine religions are one. If we investigate these foundations we discover much ground for agreement, but if we consider the imitations of forms and ancestral belief we would find points of disagreement and division, for these imitations differ while the sources and foundations are one and the same. That is to say, the fundamentals are conducive to unity, but imitations are the cause of disunion and dismemberment. Whosoever is lacking in love for humanity or manifests hatred and bigotry toward any part of it, violates the foundation and source of his own belief and is holding to forms and imitations."

The continuity of revelation and the oneness of religion were subjects which ‘Abdu’l-Bahá clarified for Christians in His address at the Church of the Divine Fraternity, New York, on May 19. Speaking in the Hotel Plaza, Chicago, on October 31, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá explained to the Chicago believers the cause of the differences in Christendom.

In the indexes to the two volumes of the Promulgation of Universal Peace we find 41 references to Christians and Christendom, and 148 different references to Jesus Christ.

Nowhere in the Bahá’í sacred writings has the essential challenge of the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh to Christians been more clearly and sympathetically stated than by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in His talk to New York Bahá’ís on June 8, 1912.

The Divine Remedy Has Been Provided

"The body politic today is greatly in need of a physician. It is similar to a human body afflicted with severe ailments. A doctor diagnoses the case and prescribes treatment. He does not prescribe, however, until he has made the diagnosis. The disease which afflicts the body politic is lack of love and absence of altruism. In the hearts of men no real love is found and the condition is such that unless their susceptibilities are quickened by some power so that unity, love and accord may develop within them, there can be no healing, no agreement among mankind. Love and unity are the needs of the body politic today. Without these there can be no progress or prosperity attained. Therefore the friends of God must adhere to the power which will create this love and unity in the hearts of the sons of men. Science cannot cure the illness of the body politic. Science cannot create amity and fellowship in human hearts. Neither can patriotism nor racial allegiance effect the remedy. It must be accomplished solely through the divine bounties and spiritual bestowals which have descended from God in this day for that purpose. This is an exigency of the times and the divine remedy has been provided. The spiritual teachings of the religion of God can alone create this love, unity and accord in human hearts.

"Therefore hold to these heavenly agencies which God has provided, so that through the love of God this soul bond may be established, this heart attachment realized and the light of the reality of unity be reflected from you throughout the universe."

May 1, 1959 -NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY of the BAHA’IS OF THE UNITED STATES