A Compilaton on Scholarship
Author:
Various
Source:
Compiled by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice, Bahá’í World Centre, February 1995
Pages:
28
[Letter to selected National Spiritual Assemblies]
EXTRACTS FROM THE WRITINGS OF BAHÁ’U’LLÁH AND ‘ABDU’L-BAHÁ AND FROM THE LETTERS OF SHOGHI EFFENDI AND THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE ON SCHOLARSHIP
1. THE STATION OF SCHOLARSHIP
1.1 Importance of Knowledge and Learning
From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh
1: “Knowledge is one of the wondrous gifts of God. It is incumbent upon…”
2: “Knowledge is as wings to man’s life, and a ladder for his ascent. Its…”
From the Writings and Utterances of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
3: “Make every effort to acquire the advanced knowledge of the day, and…”
4: “…I most urgently request the friends of God to make every effort, as much…”
5: “All blessings are divine in origin, but none can be compared with this…”
From a Letter Written on Behalf of Shoghi Effendi
6: “…Bahá’u’lláh considered education as one of the most fundamental factors…”
1.2 Characteristics of the “truly learned”
From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh
7: “Happy are ye, O ye the learned ones in Bahá. By the Lord! Ye are…”
8: “The Great Being saith: The man of consummate learning and the sage…”
9: “Know thou that he is truly learned who hath acknowledged My Revelation, and…”
10: “Consider, how can he that faileth in the day of God’s Revelation…”
From the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
11: “…there are those famed and accomplished men of learning, possessed of…”
From Letters Written on Behalf of Shoghi Effendi
12: “In connection with the question as to whether Bahá’ís should be familiar…”
13: “The Cause needs more Bahá’í scholars, people who not only are devoted…”
1.3 Scope of “Bahá’í Scholarship”
From a Letter Written on Behalf of the Universal House of Justice
14: “At this early stage in the development of the Faith, it would not…”
1.4 Appreciation of Scholarship
From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh
15: “Respect ye the divines and learned amongst you, they whose conduct accords…”
16: “O people of God! Righteous men of learning who dedicate themselves to…”
17: “Beware, O My loved ones, lest ye despise the merits of My learned servants…”
From the Writings and Utterances of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
18: “…the religion of God is the promoter of truth, the founder of science and…”
19: “There are certain pillars which have been established as the unshakeable…”
From a Letter Written by Shoghi Effendi
20: “The responsibilities of the members of the Spiritual Assemblies that are…”
2. FUNCTIONS OF BAHÁ’Í SCHOLARSHIP
2.1 Promotion of Human Welfare
From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh
21: “The Great Being saith: The learned of the day must direct the people to…”
22: “True learning is that which is conducive to the well-being of the world, not…”
From the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
23: “The primary, the most urgent requirement is the promotion of education….”
From a Letter Written on Behalf of Shoghi Effendi
24: “The news of the co-operation of the Bahá’í young men and women in…”
From a Letter of the Universal House of Justice
25: “The further emergence of the Faith from obscurity is reflected in distinctive…”
2.2 Defence of the Faith
From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh
26: “If any man were to arise to defend, in his writings, the Cause of God against…”
From the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
27: “The second of these spiritual standards which apply to the possessor of…”
From Letters Written on Behalf of Shoghi Effendi
28: “Shoghi Effendi was delighted to hear of your conversation with Sir …….”
29: “There is an answer in the teachings for everything; unfortunately the…”
2.3 Expansion and Consolidation of the Bahá’í Community
From the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
30: “Pure souls, such as Mírzá Abu’l-Fadl, upon him be the Glory of God,…”
From Letters Written on Behalf of Shoghi Effendi
31: “We had heard through various channels the wonderful way your children had…”
32: “The university training which you are receiving at present will be of immense…”
33: “Young men and women in the Faith must be deep and thoughtful scholars of its…”
34: “If the Bahá’ís want to be really effective in teaching the Cause they need to…”
From a Letter Written on Behalf of the Universal House of Justice
35: “The Universal House of Justice … regards Bahá’í scholarship as of…”
2.4 Contribution to Scholarly Development
From Letters Written on Behalf of Shoghi Effendi
36: “He was very happy to hear from you, and to see with what keen appreciation…”
37: “Regarding the advice you requested from him concerning what studies you…”
From Letters Written by or on Behalf of the Universal House of Justice
38: “You are already a qualified practitioner in your field, and no doubt you…”
39: “As the Bahá’í community grows it will acquire experts in numerous fields…”
40: “Indeed, let them [the Bahá’í youth] welcome with confidence the challenges…”
41: “The House of Justice recognizes that the questions you raise, concerning…”
3. GENERAL PRINCIPLES AND GUIDELINES
3.1 Spiritual Foundation
From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh
42: “Therefore, hath it been said: “Knowledge is a light which God casteth into…”
43: “We have decreed, O people, that the highest and last end of all learning…”
From the Writings and Utterances of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
44: “Although to acquire the sciences and arts is the greatest glory of…”
45: “And every branch of learning, conjoined with the love of God, is approved…”
46: “Scientific knowledge is the highest attainment upon the human plane,…”
From a Letter Written on Behalf of Shoghi Effendi
47: “Between the truth which comes from God through His Prophets, and the…”
From Letters Written on Behalf of the Universal House of Justice
48: “Just as there is a fundamental difference between divine Revelation itself…”
49: “The combination of absolute loyalty to the Manifestation of God and…”
50: “The House of Justice suggests that the issues raised in your letter…”
3.2 “Useful” Sciences
From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh
51: “It is permissible to study sciences and arts, but such sciences as are…”
From the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
52: “The individual should, prior to engaging in the study of any subject, ask…”
From Letters Written on Behalf of Shoghi Effendi
53: “The choice you have made for your course of study is surely most…”
54: “Philosophy, as you will study it and later teach it, is certainly not…”
From a Letter Written on Behalf of the Universal House of Justice
55: “In response to your letter of … in which you seek guidance on the…”
3.3 Attitudes of the Scholar
From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh
56: “Amongst the people is he whose learning hath made him proud, and who hath…”
57: “Show forbearance and benevolence and love to one another. Should any…”
58: “Beware lest ye contend with any one, nay, strive to make him aware of the truth…”
59: “Warn, O Salmán, the beloved of the one true God, not to view with too…”
From the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
60: “Good behaviour and high moral character must come first, for unless the…”
From Letters Written by or on Behalf of the Universal House of Justice
61: “…the believers must recognize the importance of intellectual honesty and…”
62: “When studying at school or university Bahá’í youth will often find…”
63: “The House of Justice agrees that it is most important for the believers,…”
64: “The House of Justice feels that Bahá’í scholars must beware of the…”
3.4 Methodological Issues
65: “Weigh not the Book of God with such standards and sciences as are current…”
66: “When the eyes of the people of the East were captivated by the arts…”
From the Utterances of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
67: “There are only four accepted methods of comprehension—that is to say,…”
From Letters Written on Behalf of the Universal House of Justice
68: “The concern was expressed that many of the friends, holding that there…”
69: “The House of Justice had hoped that the publication of the statement…”
70: “From your letter the House of Justice understands that you desire to…”
71: “The principal concern of the House of Justice is over a methodological…”
3.5 The Covenant
From Letters Written by or on Behalf of Shoghi Effendi
72: “Concerning the course of study you may follow:…. The Cause is…”
73: “The Guardian feels that a sound knowledge of history, including religious…”
75: “It seems what we need now is a more profound and co-ordinated Bahá’í…”
76: “He was very pleased to hear you do a lot of lecturing for the Cause; this…”
From Communications of the Universal House of Justice
77: “In the field of Bahá’í scholarship we feel that it is most important not…”
78: “There can be no doubt that the progress of the Cause from this time…”
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Bahá’í International Community
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