I’ve been reading Paul Lample’s “Learning and the Evolution of the Bahá’í Community.” He presents various possible roles for the “learned Bahai” in the Bahai community. I found it striking that he did not mention the possibility that the learned Bahai could be a servant, someone who uses knowledge to minister to the faithful.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posts Tagged ‘Community’
The knower as servant (response to Paul Lample)
Posted by Sen on October 20, 2008
Posted in Community, Theology | Tagged: Baha'u'llah, Bahai, Bahai scholarship, bahai theology, Community, creative theology, creativity, evolution, learned Bahai, learning, Paul Lample, postmodern, postmodern theology, scholar, scholar as archaeologist, scholar as artist, scholar as scout, scholar as servant, scholars, scholarship, Sen McGlinn | 5 Comments »
“Matters of State” or “administrative matters”: the scope of the House of Justice
Posted by Sen on April 12, 2008
In the 1978 translation of Tablets of Baha’u’llah by Habib Taherzadeh “with the assistance of a committee,” the eighth section of the Tablet of Ishraqaat says:
“This passage, now written by the Pen of Glory, is accounted as part of the Most Holy Book: The men of God’s House of Justice have been charged with the affairs of the people (‘amuur-e mellat). They, in truth, are the Trustees of God among His servants and the daysprings of authority in His countries.
O people of God! That which traineth the world is Justice, for it is upheld by two pillars, reward and punishment. These two pillars are the sources of life to the world. Inasmuch as for each day there is a new problem and for every problem an expedient solution, such affairs should be referred to the House of Justice that the members thereof may act according to the needs and requirements of the time. They that, for the sake of God, arise to serve His Cause, are the recipients of divine inspiration from the unseen Kingdom. It is incumbent upon all to be obedient unto them. All matters of State (‘amuur-e siyaasiyyah) should be referred to the House of Justice, but acts of worship (`ibaadaat) must be observed according to that which God hath revealed in His Book.” [1]
There is a previous translation by Ali Kuli Khan, made in 1906 or earlier,[2] in which the italicised passages read:
“The affairs of the people are in charge of the men of the House of Justice of God … Administrative affairs are all in charge of the House of Justice, and devotional acts must be observed according as they are revealed in the Book.”
Posted in Church and State, Community, Translations | Tagged: Abdu'l-Baha, Administrative matters, Affairs of the people, Ali Kuli Khan, amuur-e mellat, Aqdas, ‘amuur-e siyaasiyyah, Bahai, Bahai Faith, bahai theology, Bisharat, Church and State, Community, House of Justice, Iqan, ishraqat, lawh-e dunya, matters of state, politics, Religion, Sermon on the Art of Governance, Shoghi Effendi, Tehran, theocracy, theocratic, Translation | 1 Comment »
Do assemblies learn?
Posted by Sen on April 3, 2008
The Spiritual Assemblies that administer affairs in Bahai communities suffer from growing pains: and the members themselves are the nerve that feels it the most. If the problem is disunity, is there a point at which it is better for some members to resign? Or should the assembly be maintained, and meet, come what may – even if the problems in the meeting seep out and undermine the good work and good feeling in the community? Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Community | Tagged: Administration, Assemblies, Assembly, Assembly meetings, Atmosphere of secrecy, Bahai, Bahai elections, Community, elections, exchange programme, minutes, openness, Shoghi Effendi | 2 Comments »
