Chapter 5
It seems what we need now is a more profound and co-ordinated Baha'i scholarship in order to attract such men as you are contacting. The world has--at least the thinking world--caught up by now with all the great and universal principles enunciated by Baha'u'llah over 70 years ago, and so of course it does not sound "new" to them. But we know that the deeper teachings, the capacity of His projected World Order to re-create society, are new and dynamic. It is these we must learn to present intelligently and enticingly to such men!
(3 July 1949 on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer) [75]
76: "He was very pleased to hear you do a lot of lecturing for the Cause; this..."
He was very pleased to hear you do a lot of lecturing for the Cause; this is a very important field of service and one you should devote as much time to as possible. The public must hear of the Faith, and new ways and means must be devised to bring it to their attention. He also urges you to study the teachings themselves more deeply. Baha'i scholarship is needed really more than worldly scholarship, for one is spiritual, the other more or less transient. There is a real lack in the Cause of people who know the teachings thoroughly, especially their deeper truths, and who can consequently teach the souls properly and lay a permanent foundation, one that tests and trials will not shake down.
(27 August 1951 on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer) [76]
From Communications of the Universal House of Justice
77: "In the field of Baha'i scholarship we feel that it is most important not..."
In the field of Baha'i scholarship we feel that it is most important not to stifle the development of Baha'i scholars by an attitude of censorship or undue criticism. We believe that both the International Teaching Centre and the Boards of Counsellors can render valuable services in this area by encouraging budding scholars and by promoting within the Baha'i community an atmosphere of tolerance for the views of others. At the same time the fundamental core of the believers' faith should be strengthened by an increasing awareness of the cardinal truth and vital importance of the Covenant, and an ever-growing love for Baha'u'llah.
(10 February 1981 memorandum from the Universal House of Justice to the International Teaching Centre) [77]
78: "There can be no doubt that the progress of the Cause from this time..."
There can be no doubt that the progress of the Cause from this time onward will be characterized by an ever-increasing relationship to the agencies, activities, institutions and leading individuals of the non-Baha'i world. We shall acquire greater stature at the United Nations, become better known in the deliberations of governments, a familiar figure to the media, a subject of interest to academics, and inevitably the envy of failing establishments. Our preparation for and response to this situation must be a continual deepening of our faith, an unwavering adherence to its principles of abstention from partisan politics and freedom from prejudices, and above all an increasing understanding of its fundamental verities and relevance to the modern world.
(Ridvan 1984 to the Baha'is of the World) [78]
FOOTNOTES
1 'Ulama, from the Arabic 'alima, to know, may be translated learned men, scientists, religious authorities.
2 Cf. "Tablets of Baha'u'llah Revealed after the Kitab-i-Aqdas", p. 26.
3 "The Challenge and Promise of Baha'i Scholarship", prepared by the Research Department. As published in "The Baha'i World" (Haifa: Baha'i World Centre, 1981), vol. XVII, pp. 195-196, this statement was inadvertently attributed to the Universal House of Justice.
4 Ibid.