How do people of the Bahai faith view Jesus? (Jesus Christ, ritual)

[Phasmid]

Is he considered the saviour of humanity, or as a prophet as in Islam?

From what I understand, Bahai's believe that all religions are correct, but how do you reconsile the differences between them?

[BruceDLimber]

Greetings! :-)

Originally Posted by Phasmid

Is [Jesus] considered the saviour of humanity, or as a prophet as in Islam?

ALL Divine Messengers are God-sent and far more than mere "prophets!" That said, we believe Jesus is exactly Who He said He is! He (like God's other Divine Messengers) was indeed sent for our salvation!

From what I understand, Bahai's believe that all religions are correct, but how do you reconsile the differences between them?

Quite easily, actually!

(And to clarify, we accept all the great religions but stipulate there are some outside the pale.)

I quote the Baha'i scriptures:

"There can be no doubt whatever that the peoples of the world, of whatever race or religion, derive their inspiration from one heavenly Source, and are the subjects of one God. The difference between the ordinances under which they abide should be attributed to the varying requirements and exigencies of the age in which they were revealed. All of them, except a few which are the outcome of human perversity, were ordained of God, and are a reflection of His Will and Purpose. Arise and, armed with the power of faith, shatter to pieces the gods of your vain imaginings, the sowers of dissension amongst you. Cleave unto that which draweth you together and uniteth you."

(The Proclamation of Baha'u'llah, p. 114;
also Gleanings, CXI, pp. 217-8)


Best regards, and please feel free to keep the questions coming; we love 'em! :-)

Bruce

[arthra]

Originally Posted by Phasmid

Is he considered the saviour of humanity, or as a prophet as in Islam?

From what I understand, Bahai's believe that all religions are correct, but how do you reconsile the differences between them?

Ah.. Bruce has done well..

Jesus Christ is viewed by Baha'is as a Manifestation of God Who was a perfect Mirror reflecting the attributes of God. He had no need of traditional schooling as His knowledge was innate. Jesus was born in a miraculous way so we accept the virgin birth. The Gospel of Jesus was also preserved and not lost as some believe. We do feel though that the original teachings of Jesus were overlooked and that church doctrines soon became more important. Jesus was martyred on the cross and spiritually resurrected to His followers.. meaning the Cause of Christ was revived after the crucifixion. Baha'is believe the prophecies of the Return of Christ were fulfilled in the Declaration of the Bab in Shiraz on May 23, 1844.

Baha'is believe in a concept called Progressive Revelation that God reveals Truth progressively through His Prophets and Messengers as suited to the times for which they were revealed. The Spiritual teachings are the same but different ordinances are appropriate for each age and overall the advancement and ennoblement of humanity is progressive and becomes more apparent. In short we believe that the Kingdom of God is now enfolding.

- Art

[well-wisher]

Hi Phasmid,

Concerning your Question ...
<<< How do people of the Bahai faith view Jesus?
Is he considered the saviour of humanity .......>>>

"Know thou that when the Son of Man yielded up His breath to God, the whole creation wept with a great weeping. By sacrificing Himself, however, a fresh capacity was infused into all created things. Its evidences, as witnessed in all the peoples of the earth, are now manifest before thee. The deepest wisdom which the sages have uttered, the profoundest learning which any mind hath unfolded, the arts which the ablest hands have produced, the influence 86 exerted by the most potent of rulers, are but manifestations of the quickening power released by His transcendent, His all-pervasive, and resplendent Spirit.
We testify that when He came into the world, He shed the splendor of His glory upon all created things. Through Him the leper recovered from the leprosy of perversity and ignorance. Through Him, the unchaste and wayward were healed. Through His power, born of Almighty God, the eyes of the blind were opened, and the soul of the sinner sanctified.
Leprosy may be interpreted as any veil that interveneth between man and the recognition of the Lord, his God. Whoso alloweth himself to be shut out from Him is indeed a leper, who shall not be remembered in the Kingdom of God, the Mighty, the All-Praised. We bear witness that through the power of the Word of God every leper was cleansed, every sickness was healed, every human infirmity was banished. He it is Who purified the world. Blessed is the man who, with a face beaming with light, hath turned towards Him. "
---- XXXVI Gleanings From the Writings of Baha'u'llah

Indeed He is "El Salvador" !!!

>>>> or as a prophet as in Islam? >>>

I suggest that we temporarily shy away from the use of "prophet" -- because of
loaded meanings associated to it -- like "false prophet" in current Christian perceptions
or "not possessed with Divinity or Sonship" in Islamic vocabulary. Baha'is believe
that Abraham," The Friend of God",Jesus the Christ ,"The Beloved Son of God", Muhammad,"The Apostle of God", Baha'u'llah, "The Glory of God" (including Krishna,Buddha,Moises,Zoroaster) are Transcendental Figures Who gave the world
Great Belief Systems . Each possessd an autonomy and authority - coming from God -
way,way,way beyond the evaluation of mortal beings and institutions -- in exactl description -- Transcendent !!




>>From what I understand, Bahai's believe that all religions are correct,>>

That there is Only One Source of these World Great Religions ---
They are rays of One Light !!

>>> but how do you reconsile the differences between them? >>>

According to Baha'ullah -- God has a Hidden School -- called "School of Transcendent Oneness". He has ordained that in every age and dispensation, that One the Divine Teachers would appear on earth to safeguard and bring about what God has deposited in the inmost selves of mortal beings. The "differences" would be observed by us captives of time & space and "reconciled" by These Divine Figures for us. Baha'u' llah also wrote of this School as the School of Inner Meaning & Significance.

I wish you well in your efforts to find the "inner meanings" of life

well-wisher

[Phasmid]

well-wisher thanks for the post, I found it very informative.

Would you say that since all religions are from the same source (God), that they're all equally valid ways to reach Him? If so, how does one account for the Christian teaching that only those who believe in Jesus will see Heaven?

[well-wisher]

Hi Phasmid,

>>>>well-wisher thanks for the post, I found it very informative.>>>
Thank you also for posting the question. In my search for a reply -- I
also acquired more information and learned a lesson or two.


Would you say that since all religions are from the same source (God), that they're all equally valid ways to reach Him? >>>>

Don't you think -- that with the first statement- "since there is only One Source" -- that the
the succeeding statement should be "There is Only One Way" ---.
Our Lord The Christ said ." I am The Way, The Truth , the Life" ---
In 1844 The Bab, The Precursor of The Promised One of All Ages and prepared for His Coming, -- declared the He is the far extension of that Path and The Promised One Himself,Baha'u'llah (in His Tablet to The Christians) ask the followers of the Son to advance in that path of light --
and be quickeners of mankind.


In short, the only way to appreciate the Appearances of These Pure & Stainless Souls is
to look at their manifestations as successive - the lessons They instruct and loving laws They
promulgate, the inspiration They infuse -- are successive stages in the development of Humanity. Perhaps you may find out that there is no other way of looking at these Process of Divine Intervention except from this context. Thus, the heroes of the past stages of humanity's
spiritual development will always be our heroes- their triumphs --our triumphs.


>>>>If so, how does one account for the Christian teaching that only those who believe in Jesus will see Heaven? >>>
I agree -- that is why the Jews and none-Christians who wish to become Baha''is have to
accept Jesus Christ and start to love Him -- before they could be admitted to the community.
If you are a Protestant and wish to become a Baha'i --and have not appreciated the valiant efforts of Virgin Mary and Mary of Magdala -- then you would be encouraged to study Baha'u'llah's
writings on them. Remember -- they are all our heroes. Also you would be encouraged to
start studying the other World Belief systems and their lovers,heroes and saints.
Baha'u'llah provided us with an Exemplar of this loving- attitude,His son Abdu'l-Baha.
Would you believe, I learned about Santa BArbara because of Abdu'l-Baha.
.
Please remember too that 'Heaven' is a symbol of our nearness to God -- and Hell -- our
remoteness from Him. Don't you think God will be pleased if He sees that you love all Those
Who love us -- despite our mortal failings and ineptitude.

my warmest regards,
well-wisher

[Phasmid]

Thanks for the post well-wisher... definately warrents further studying. I'll look into the Bahai faith, seems in tune with my thinking. A lot of what kept me from religion was thinking, "Well... what if this one isn't right? What makes one more valid than another?"

[arthra]

Welcome to the Forum well-wisher!

- Art

[well-wisher]

Thanks for the post well-wisher... definately warrents further studying. I'll look into the Bahai faith, seems in tune with my thinking.>>>

Phasmid- heaven always smiles on the seeker !!


Welcome to the Forum well-wisher!
- Art

Am real glad to be here Art! Thanks!

-wl

[BruceDLimber]

BTW, Well-wisher, if you'd like an additional site for asking questions and learning more about the Baha'i Faith, please permit me to commend to you Planet Baha'i, which has a great mix of both Baha'is and others!

You can find it at: www.planetbahai.org

I'm sure you'll find topics of interest in the Discussion area, and there are presentations on various topics there, too!

I wish you good hunting, and encourage you to keep the questions coming!

Best, :-)

Bruce