Light of the Kingdom: Biblical Topics in the Baha'i Writings

By JoAnn Borovicka

Bahá’í Publishing 401 Greenleaf Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois 60091 Copyright © 2016 by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States

All rights reserved. Published 2016 Printed in the United States of America on acid-free paper ∞ 19 18 17 16 4 3 2 1

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Names: Borovicka, JoAnn, author.

Title: Light of the Kingdom : Biblical Topics in the Baha’i Writings / By JoAnn Borovicka.

Description: Wilmette, Illinois : Baha’i Publishing, 2016. | Includes bibliographical references and index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2015051080 | ISBN 9781618511010 (pbk. : alk. paper) Subjects: LCSH: Bible—Bahai interpretations.

Classification: LCC BP378.6 .B67 2016 | DDC 297.9/382—dc23 LC record available at http://lccn.loc.gov/2015051080

Cover design by Misha Maynerick Blaise Book design by Patrick Falso Imagery on front cover comes from the British Library Catalogue of Illuminated Manuscripts. https://www.bl.uk/catalogues/illuminatedmanuscripts/ILLUMIN.ASP?Size=mid&IllID=52634

For Mike

TABLE OF CONTENTS Foreword.................................................................................... xiii Author’s Note.............................................................................xvii Introduction.................................................................................. 1 The Nature of the Bible in the Bahá’í Writings............................. 3

The Old Testament The Books of Moses—Overview.................................................11 Topics from the Books of Moses................................................. 15 God........................................................................................ 15 Creation.................................................................................. 18 Image of God......................................................................... 24 Gender and Scripture.............................................................. 26 Dominion Over the Earth....................................................... 29 Breath of Life.......................................................................... 32 Garden of Eden...................................................................... 37 The Messenger........................................................................ 40 Noah....................................................................................... 46 Abraham................................................................................. 49 Joseph..................................................................................... 52 Moses..................................................................................... 59 Pharaonic Opposition............................................................. 60 Rebuke of the Prophets........................................................... 64 Commandments..................................................................... 67 Covenants............................................................................... 71 The Books of History—Overview.............................................. 75 Topics from the Books of History................................................ 79 Holy War................................................................................ 79 King David............................................................................. 84 King Solomon......................................................................... 87 ix

Contents

The Temple............................................................................ 89 Spiritual Seasons..................................................................... 93 Idol Worship........................................................................... 96 Wrath of God......................................................................... 99 The Books of Poetical Writings—Overview...............................103 Topics from the Books of Poetical Writings................................105 Suffering and Detachment.....................................................105 My Redeemer Lives................................................................108 Prayer....................................................................................110 Angels....................................................................................114 Collective Salvation...............................................................117 Progress................................................................................ 120 Fear of God.......................................................................... 123 Love...................................................................................... 126 My Beloved........................................................................... 129 The Value of Poetical Writings..............................................131 The Books of Prophecy—Overview.......................................... 135 Topics from the Books of Prophecy............................................141 Lamenting the Holy Land......................................................141 Lesser Prophets..................................................................... 144 Corruption............................................................................ 147 Nature of Prophetic Visions.................................................. 150 Language of Prophecy............................................................151 Day of the Lord.................................................................... 153 Sun, Moon and Stars............................................................ 157 Clouds.................................................................................. 159 Messianic Expectations..........................................................161 Unfolding Prophecies............................................................ 166 Daniel’s Dates....................................................................... 168 End of the Prophetic Cycle................................................... 175 Cycle of Fulfillment.............................................................. 177 Names and Titles.................................................................. 179 Army of the Lord.................................................................. 183 Reflections on the Old Testament: Water From a Rock............. 187

The New Testament The Books of the Gospels—Overview...................................... 189 x

Contents

Topics from the Books of the Gospels........................................191 The Word.................................................................................. 195 The Birth of Jesus................................................................. 198 The Wise Men and the Star.................................................. 202 The Young Jesus.................................................................... 204 The Return of Elijah............................................................. 205 Baptism................................................................................ 208 Like a Dove............................................................................211 The Word Made Flesh...........................................................214 Into the Wilderness................................................................217 Down from Heaven...............................................................218 Hell Fire................................................................................ 220 Born Again........................................................................... 222 A New Definition of Dead.................................................... 224 Miracle Healings................................................................... 228 The Law Fulfilled..................................................................231 Forgiveness............................................................................ 234 The Law of Love................................................................... 236 You Cannot Bear It Now...................................................... 238 The Transfiguration.............................................................. 239 Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit........................................ 240 Persecution........................................................................... 242 Bread and Blood................................................................... 244 Promise to Return................................................................. 246 Stars and Clouds................................................................... 248 The Crucifixion.....................................................................251 The Risen Christ................................................................... 257 The Book of the Acts of the Apostles—Overview..................... 263 Topics from the Book of the Acts of the Apostles.......................................................................... 265 True Consultation................................................................. 265 Pentecost............................................................................... 268 Martyrdom........................................................................... 271 Paul...................................................................................... 273 The Books of the Epistles—Overview...................................... 277 The Pauline Epistles.............................................................. 277 Satan..................................................................................... 279 xi

Contents

Topics from the Books of the Epistles....................................... 279 Raising the Dead................................................................... 281 Satan..................................................................................... 284 Sin........................................................................................ 288 Salvation............................................................................... 291 The Way............................................................................... 294 A Better Covenant................................................................ 298 Women................................................................................. 301 Three Are One...................................................................... 305 False Prophets....................................................................... 309 Antichrist...............................................................................311 The Book of the Revelation to John—Overview........................315 Outline of the Revelation to John..............................................316 Topics from the Book of the Revelation to John.........................319 Chapter 11: A Reed Like a Rod..............................................319 Two Witnesses...................................................................... 322 Rivers to Blood..................................................................... 324 The Beast.............................................................................. 326 Three and a Half Days......................................................... 329 Ascended to Heaven............................................................. 332 Woes..................................................................................... 334 Twenty-Four Elders.............................................................. 335 Wrath and Reward................................................................ 337 The Temple Opened............................................................. 339 Chapter 12: Clothed with the Sun.........................................341 A Red Dragon....................................................................... 342 Her Child............................................................................. 344 Chapter 21: A New Earth..................................................... 346 Chapter 22: Alpha and Omega............................................. 348 Reflections on the New Testament: Swaddling Clothes..............351 Appendix A: The Bahá’í Faith................................................... 355 Appendix B: The Central Figures and Institutions of the Bahá’í Faith..................................................................... 359 Bibliography.............................................................................. 363 Index......................................................................................... 377

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THE NATURE OF THE BIBLE IN THE BAHÁ’Í WRITINGS The Bahá’í Writings embrace the Bible as a cherished collection of religious Scripture. In an inscription in the “Old Bible” of the City Temple in London, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá states: This book is the Holy Book of God, of celestial Inspiration. It is the Bible of Salvation, the Noble Gospel. It is the mystery of the Kingdom and its light. It is the Divine Bounty, the sign of the guidance of God. (‘Abdu’l-Bahá in London, p. 18) As a sign of divine guidance, the Bible can be quoted at all Bahá’í occasions that call for readings from Scripture (see letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, Developing Distinctive Bahá’í Communities, section 9.22).

DO BAHÁ’ÍS BELIEVE THAT THE WORDS OF THE BIBLE ARE THE EXACT WORDS OF THE PROPHETS?

While many passages and some entire books are traditionally attributed to ancient Prophets, Bahá’ís recognize that, because of historical circumstances, these texts may not represent the Prophets’ exact words. Nevertheless, the spiritual substance of the Bible is believed to have been protected by Providence: The Bahá’ís believe that God’s Revelation is under His care and protection and that the essence, or essential elements, of what His Manifestations intended to convey has been recorded and preserved in Their Holy Books. However, as the sayings of the ancient Prophets were written down some time later, we cannot categori3

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cally state, as we do in the case of the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, that the words and phrases attributed to Them are Their exact words.

(From a letter of the Universal House of Justice, dated August 9, 1984, to an individual believer, cited in “Resurrection of Christ” Memorandum from the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice, September 14, 1987) WHO DO BAHÁ’ÍS BELIEVE WROTE THE BIBLE?

While bound under one cover, the Bible is actually a collection of Holy Books—a library that includes Jewish and Christian Scriptures, each of which has its own history of composition. The Bahá’í Writings do not offer commentary on the authorship of these books, and there is little internal consensus in either the Jewish or Christian communities on the historical circumstances surrounding their composition. However, certain long-standing hypotheses have become central in the field of biblical scholarship, and these would be of note to Bahá’ís, including that: (1) many of the biblical texts represent traditions that were originally transmitted orally from generation to generation before being written down; (2) some texts represent more than one tradition and/or came into existence through the work of more than one author; and (3) some books are composite texts that have been woven together by redactors (biblical editors) with particular motivations (Barton and Muddiman, pp. 1–3; Finkelstein & Silberman, pp. 10–13; Friedman, 1997, 2003; Schniedewind, 2004). These hypotheses are consistent with Bahá’í guidance on the nature of the Bible.

DO BAHÁ’ÍS BELIEVE THAT THE STORIES IN THE BIBLE ARE TRUE?

For Bahá’ís, the Bible is read as true in substance: The Bahá’ís believe what is in the Bible to be true in substance. This does not mean that every word recorded in that Book is to be taken literally and treated as the authentic saying of a Prophet. (From a letter of the Universal House of Justice, dated August 9, 1984, to an individual believer, cited in “Resurrection of Christ” Memorandum from the Research Department, September 14, 1987)

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The Nature of the Bible In the Bahá’í Writings

Bahá’ís believe that all of the biblical texts contain spiritual meanings requiring authoritative interpretation: The texts of the Holy Books are all symbolical, needing authoritative interpretation. (‘Abdu’l-Bahá The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 307) WHERE DO BAHÁ’ÍS LOOK FOR AUTHORITATIVE INTERPRETATION OF THE BIBLE?

First, Bahá’ís depend on the Writings of the Central Figures of the Faith for authoritative interpretation: Bahá’ís look first to the Bahá’í Writings for authoritative guidance on what can be taken as literal truth, what needs to be understood symbolically and how to interpret the spiritual meanings in the symbolic passages. (From a letter of the Universal House of Justice, dated January 17, 1978, to an individual believer, cited in “Resurrection of Christ” Memorandum from the Research Department, September 14, 1987) Secondary sources of Bahá’í guidance on biblical interpretation are the Writings of the Institutions of the Faith and the recorded utterances of the Central Figures (see Appendix B).

WHAT ROLE DOES HISTORICAL ANALYSIS (HISTORICAL CRITICISM) HAVE IN A BAHÁ’Í UNDERSTANDING OF THE BIBLE?

In light of the Bahá’í principle of the harmony of science and religion, Bahá’ís would appreciate information gleaned by applying methods of historical analysis to the biblical texts, inasmuch as it adds to the knowledge base of biblical studies. The purpose of applying the techniques of historical analysis to a biblical text is to investigate the origin, date of composition, authorship, relationship to other ancient literature, and the author’s intended meanings in light of the historical context of the work. Historical analysis techniques study the biblical texts in light of the historical record outside of the Bible, as evidenced in fields such

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as archaeology, ancient literature, astronomy, and geology.1 Guidance from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá indicates that the extra-biblical record of history is an important tool for determining whether an event mentioned in the Bible could be understood as historical fact. Responding to an inquiry about the historicity of a certain event in the New Testament, He states: But as these events have not been recorded in any history, it is evident that they are not to be understood literally but according to their inner meaning. (‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions, no.

10.5) Shoghi Effendi affirms the value of the work of historians in his response to an inquiry about the dates of Prophets in the Adamic Cycle: There are no dates in our teachings regarding the actual dates of the Prophets of the Adamic Cycle, so we cannot give any. Tentatively we can accept what historians may consider accurate. (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, dated November 25, 1950, to an individual, in Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, no. 64) “Tentative” is a key word in the above guidance. The issues regarding the study of ancient history and literature are complex, interpretations of data vary, and theories change according to new findings. For the purpose of this book, the 2013 edition of the Oxford Bible Commentary has been chosen as a collection of highly respected current biblical scholarship and is the source of the dating and authorship information provided in the “Overview” sections.

WHAT ABOUT VERSES IN THE BIBLE THAT SEEM CONTRADICTORY?

Apparent contradictions between biblical verses arise either from varying accounts from different authors or because the verses are to be understood symbolically:

1. For a study on the value of higher biblical analysis for Bahá’ís, see Stockman’s “The Bahá’í Faith and Higher Biblical Criticism.”

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THE OLD TESTAMENT Christians and others have traditionally used the term “Old Testament� to refer to the Scriptures of Judaism that the Church claimed as part of its Jewish heritage and eventually came to see as a portion of its own Bible. In most Christian Protestant Bibles the Old Testament books, excluding the Apocrypha, are presented in this sequence: The Books of Moses

The Books of History

Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy

Joshua Judges Ruth 1 Samuel 2 Samuel 1 Kings 2 Kings 1 Chronicles 2 Chronicles Ezra Nehemiah Esther

The Books of Poetical Writings Job Psalms Proverbs Ecclesiastes The Song of Solomon

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The Books of Prophecy Isaiah Jeremiah Lamentations Ezekiel Daniel Hosea Joel Amos Obadiah Jonah Micah Nahum Habakkuk Zephaniah Haggai Zechariah Malachi

TOPICS FROM THE BOOKS OF MOSES

GOD

The Book of Genesis starts: In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. (Genesis 1:1–2) There continues throughout the Bible the imagery of an All-Powerful, All-Knowing God Who interacts with His creation, often in human ways.

WHAT IS THE NATURE OF GOD?

The nature of God is a mystery: Exalted, immeasurably exalted, art Thou above the strivings of mortal man to unravel Thy mystery, to describe Thy glory, or even to hint at the nature of Thine Essence. (Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, no. 1.3) Although Scripture and artwork often present God as having a human form and human attributes, these represent human imagination, not the essence of God:

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. . . let none construe these utterances to be anthropomorphism, nor see in them the descent of the worlds of God into the grades of the creatures. . . . For God is, in His Essence, holy above ascent and descent, entrance and exit; He hath through all eternity been free of the attributes of human creatures, and ever will remain so.

(Bahá’u’lláh, The Seven Valleys, p. 22) WHY IS KNOWLEDGE OF THE ESSENCE OF GOD INACCESSIBLE?

The human mind cannot know the essence of God because in order to understand something one must surround it and see it from all angles.

Humanity, being part of creation, cannot encompass that which encompasses it: Furthermore, how can a reality that is originated encompass that Reality which has existed from all eternity? For comprehension is the result of encompassing—the latter must take place in order that the former may occur—and the divine Essence is all-encompassing and can never be encompassed. (‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions, no. 59.3–5) Additionally, it is an observable fact that a lower plane of existence can never fully understand a higher plane: Moreover, differences of degree in the world of creation are a barrier to knowledge. For example, as this mineral belongs to the mineral kingdom, however far it may rise, it can never comprehend the power of growth. The plants and trees, however far they may progress, cannot imagine the power of sight or of the other senses.

The animal cannot imagine the human degree, that is, the spiritual powers. Thus, differences of degree are a barrier to knowledge: The inferior degree cannot comprehend the superior. How then can a reality which is originated comprehend that Reality which has existed from all eternity? (‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions, no. 59.6) The created can never fully understand the Creator.

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