Kamál, 16 Mashíyyat, 178 B.E.

Seen

Ohio Butterflies: My guess is a type of sulphur and a copper

Ohio Wildflowers (or noxious weeds depending on perspective): Milkweed and Bindweed

Done

Went on walk with granddaughter …

Noted

Astral Prospecting on Instagram: Largemouth bass one inch shy of minimum for recognition by Department of Natural Resources!

Quoted

Within the scope of Bahá’í beliefs, the station and claims of Jesus Christ as recorded in the Gospel are recognized, and the beneficent contribution of Christianity to the development of humankind’s spiritual and material civilization is acknowledged. Summarizing the Bahá’í position toward Christianity, Shoghi Effendi, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s grandson and appointed successor, wrote:

As to the position of Christianity, let it be stated without any hesitation or equivocation that its divine origin is unconditionally acknowledged, that the Sonship and Divinity of Jesus Christ are fearlessly asserted, that the divine inspiration of the Gospel is fully recognized … 1

Anyone familiar with the writings of Bahá’u’lláh will appreciate the fidelity with which these statements by Shoghi Effendi have captured the spirit of Bahá’í teachings. Nevertheless, because the corpus of Bahá’í scripture is large and covers a wide variety of topics, some observers fail to appraise this message adequately in a brief encounter with the Bahá’í Faith. This is especially regrettable with Christians, and in some instances it has led to mistaken ideas about Bahá’í beliefs and to misunderstandings of Bahá’í intentions.

To help resolve this difficulty, this brief compilation seeks to capture in one volume the characteristic spirit with which Jesus is glorified in Bahá’í scripture. 2

My sister and brother-in-law recently relocated and chose to donate several books in their library rather than move them. Many of these volumes are not well-known, but due to the topics they cover and the manner in which their authors explore them, they warrant a nod of recognition before being sent on their way. Accordingly, most quotes referenced in the “Quoted” section come from these books. Maybe they will stir (or renew) your interest, too.

  1. Effendi, Shoghi. The Promised Day Is Come. Wilmette, Ill: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, rev. ed., 1980, 109. [https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/shoghi-effendi/promised-day-come/1#617979506] [return]
  2. Sours, Michael W. Jesus Christ in Sacred Bahá’í Literature: A Compilation. 1st ed., Oneworld, 1995, 5-7. [return]