Re: [Q] Bahai way of Salvation?
Darren Hiebert (darren@hunan.rastek.com)
Tue, Jan 24 1995 10:58:07 GMT
Bill Irwin <bill@twg.bc.ca> wrote:
> Does this mean that one must have faith (by believing and
> accepting Baha'u'llah) AND works (obedience to the laws &
> teachings) in order to gain salvation? If so, how much deviation
> from perfection (no disobedience) is permitted before salvation
> is either not obtained or lost?
Regarding your second question:
"Salvation" has perhaps a different meaning with the Baha'i Revelation than
that which has been understood in past religious taditions; salvation is
being saved from our material attachment to the world and our "self" and
being restored to an orientation towards God. It is not an either/or
proposition, but rather one of degrees of readiness of the soul for its
existence in the next (spiritual) world. The greater the adherence to the
Will of God, the better prepared for that world the soul will be. The lesser
the adherence to the Will of God, the more handicapped will be the progress
of that soul in the next world.
Perhaps a good metaphor is to imagine ones eyes being accomodated to the
brightness of the light of God by orientation to His Will. If our eyes are
not accomodated to that light, being accustomed only with the darkness of
worldly things, there will be much pain when those eyes are presented with
the Glory of God's light; even though that light is supposed to be good, the
eyes that are unprepared for it will be unable to receive it (i.e. it will
be painful for such a soul to encounter the presence of God and will flee
from Him). Such an existence spent remote from the presence of God is what
has been referred to metaphorically as "hell fire", etc.
Regarding your first question, Baha'u'llah wrote:
IN THE NAME OF HIM WHO
IS THE SUPREME RULER
OVER ALL THAT HATH BEEN
AND ALL THAT IS TO BE
The first duty prescribed by God for His servants is the
recognition of Him Who is the Dayspring of His Revelation and
the Fountain of His laws, Who representeth the Godhead in both
the Kingdom of His Cause and the world of creation. Whoso
achieveth this duty hath attained unto all good; and whoso is
deprived thereof hath gone astray, though he be the author of
every righteous deed. It behoveth every one who reacheth this
most sublime station, this summit of transcendent glory, to
observe every ordinance of Him Who is the Desire of the world.
These twin duties are inseparable. Neither is acceptable
without the other. Thus hath it been decreed by Him Who is
the Source of Divine inspiration.
--
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Darren Hiebert "If I have not seen further, it is because
darren@rastek.com giants were standing on my shoulders."
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