Contents - A Compilaton on Scholarship - 3 - Universal House of Justice

[Baha'i Terms of Use]
[Letter to selected National Spiritual Assemblies]
[EXTRACTS FROM THE WRITINGS OF BAHÁ’U’LLÁH AND ‘ABDU’L-BAHÁ AND FROM THE LETTERS OF SHOGHI EFFENDI AND THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE ON SCHOLARSHIP]
[1. THE STATION OF SCHOLARSHIP]
[1.1 Importance of Knowledge and Learning]
[From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh]
[1: “Knowledge is one of the wondrous gifts of God. It is incumbent upon...”]
[2: “Knowledge is as wings to man’s life, and a ladder for his ascent. Its...”]
[From the Writings and Utterances of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá]
[3: “Make every effort to acquire the advanced knowledge of the day, and...”]
[4: “...I most urgently request the friends of God to make every effort, as much...”]
[5: “All blessings are divine in origin, but none can be compared with this...”]
[From a Letter Written on Behalf of Shoghi Effendi]
[6: “...Bahá’u’lláh considered education as one of the most fundamental factors...”]
[1.2 Characteristics of the “truly learned”]
[From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh]
[7: “Happy are ye, O ye the learned ones in Bahá. By the Lord! Ye are...”]
[8: “The Great Being saith: The man of consummate learning and the sage...”]
[9: “Know thou that he is truly learned who hath acknowledged My Revelation, and...”]
[10: “Consider, how can he that faileth in the day of God’s Revelation...”]
[From the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá]
[11: “...there are those famed and accomplished men of learning, possessed of...”]
[From Letters Written on Behalf of Shoghi Effendi]
[12: “In connection with the question as to whether Bahá’ís should be familiar...”]
[13: “The Cause needs more Bahá’í scholars, people who not only are devoted...”]
[1.3 Scope of “Bahá’í Scholarship”]
[From a Letter Written on Behalf of the Universal House of Justice]
[14: “At this early stage in the development of the Faith, it would not...”]
[1.4 Appreciation of Scholarship]
[From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh]
[15: “Respect ye the divines and learned amongst you, they whose conduct accords...”]
[16: “O people of God! Righteous men of learning who dedicate themselves to...”]
[17: “Beware, O My loved ones, lest ye despise the merits of My learned servants...”]
[From the Writings and Utterances of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá]
[18: “...the religion of God is the promoter of truth, the founder of science and...”]
[19: “There are certain pillars which have been established as the unshakeable...”]
[From a Letter Written by Shoghi Effendi]
[20: “The responsibilities of the members of the Spiritual Assemblies that are...”]
[2. FUNCTIONS OF BAHÁ’Í SCHOLARSHIP]
[2.1 Promotion of Human Welfare]
[From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh]
[21: “The Great Being saith: The learned of the day must direct the people to...”]
[22: “True learning is that which is conducive to the well-being of the world, not...”]
[From the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá]
[23: “The primary, the most urgent requirement is the promotion of education....”]
[From a Letter Written on Behalf of Shoghi Effendi]
[24: “The news of the co-operation of the Bahá’í young men and women in...”]
[From a Letter of the Universal House of Justice]
[25: “The further emergence of the Faith from obscurity is reflected in distinctive...”]
[2.2 Defence of the Faith]
[From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh]
[26: “If any man were to arise to defend, in his writings, the Cause of God against...”]
[From the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá]
[27: “The second of these spiritual standards which apply to the possessor of...”]
[From Letters Written on Behalf of Shoghi Effendi]
[28: “Shoghi Effendi was delighted to hear of your conversation with Sir .......”]
[29: “There is an answer in the teachings for everything; unfortunately the...”]
[2.3 Expansion and Consolidation of the Bahá’í Community]
[From the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá]
[30: “Pure souls, such as Mírzá Abu’l-Fadl, upon him be the Glory of God,...”]
[From Letters Written on Behalf of Shoghi Effendi]
[31: “We had heard through various channels the wonderful way your children had...”]
[32: “The university training which you are receiving at present will be of immense...”]
[33: “Young men and women in the Faith must be deep and thoughtful scholars of its...”]
[34: “If the Bahá’ís want to be really effective in teaching the Cause they need to...”]
[From a Letter Written on Behalf of the Universal House of Justice]
[35: “The Universal House of Justice ... regards Bahá’í scholarship as of...”]
[2.4 Contribution to Scholarly Development]
[From Letters Written on Behalf of Shoghi Effendi]
[36: “He was very happy to hear from you, and to see with what keen appreciation...”]
[37: “Regarding the advice you requested from him concerning what studies you...”]
[From Letters Written by or on Behalf of the Universal House of Justice]
[38: “You are already a qualified practitioner in your field, and no doubt you...”]
[39: “As the Bahá’í community grows it will acquire experts in numerous fields...”]
[40: “Indeed, let them [the Bahá’í youth] welcome with confidence the challenges...”]
[41: “The House of Justice recognizes that the questions you raise, concerning...”]
[3. GENERAL PRINCIPLES AND GUIDELINES]
[3.1 Spiritual Foundation]
[From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh]
[42: “Therefore, hath it been said: “Knowledge is a light which God casteth into...”]
[43: “We have decreed, O people, that the highest and last end of all learning...”]
[From the Writings and Utterances of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá]
[44: “Although to acquire the sciences and arts is the greatest glory of...”]
[45: “And every branch of learning, conjoined with the love of God, is approved...”]
[46: “Scientific knowledge is the highest attainment upon the human plane,...”]
[From a Letter Written on Behalf of Shoghi Effendi]
[47: “Between the truth which comes from God through His Prophets, and the...”]
[From Letters Written on Behalf of the Universal House of Justice]
[48: “Just as there is a fundamental difference between divine Revelation itself...”]
[49: “The combination of absolute loyalty to the Manifestation of God and...”]
[50: “The House of Justice suggests that the issues raised in your letter...”]
[3.2 “Useful” Sciences]
[From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh]
[51: “It is permissible to study sciences and arts, but such sciences as are...”]
[From the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá]
[52: “The individual should, prior to engaging in the study of any subject, ask...”]
[From Letters Written on Behalf of Shoghi Effendi]
[53: “The choice you have made for your course of study is surely most...”]
[54: “Philosophy, as you will study it and later teach it, is certainly not...”]
[From a Letter Written on Behalf of the Universal House of Justice]
[55: “In response to your letter of ... in which you seek guidance on the...”]
[3.3 Attitudes of the Scholar]
[From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh]
[56: “Amongst the people is he whose learning hath made him proud, and who hath...”]
[57: “Show forbearance and benevolence and love to one another. Should any...”]
[58: “Beware lest ye contend with any one, nay, strive to make him aware of the truth...”]
[59: “Warn, O Salmán, the beloved of the one true God, not to view with too...”]
[From the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá]
[60: “Good behaviour and high moral character must come first, for unless the...”]
[From Letters Written by or on Behalf of the Universal House of Justice]
[61: “...the believers must recognize the importance of intellectual honesty and...”]
[62: “When studying at school or university Bahá’í youth will often find...”]
[63: “The House of Justice agrees that it is most important for the believers,...”]
[64: “The House of Justice feels that Bahá’í scholars must beware of the...”]
[3.4 Methodological Issues]
[65: “Weigh not the Book of God with such standards and sciences as are current...”]
[66: “When the eyes of the people of the East were captivated by the arts...”]
[From the Utterances of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá]
[67: “There are only four accepted methods of comprehension—that is to say,...”]
[From Letters Written on Behalf of the Universal House of Justice]
[68: “The concern was expressed that many of the friends, holding that there...”]
[69: “The House of Justice had hoped that the publication of the statement...”]
[70: “From your letter the House of Justice understands that you desire to...”]
[71: “The principal concern of the House of Justice is over a methodological...”]
[3.5 The Covenant]
[From Letters Written by or on Behalf of Shoghi Effendi]
[72: “Concerning the course of study you may follow:.... The Cause is...”]
[73: “The Guardian feels that a sound knowledge of history, including religious...”]
[75: “It seems what we need now is a more profound and co-ordinated Bahá’í...”]
[76: “He was very pleased to hear you do a lot of lecturing for the Cause; this...”]
[From Communications of the Universal House of Justice]
[77: “In the field of Bahá’í scholarship we feel that it is most important not...”]
[78: “There can be no doubt that the progress of the Cause from this time...”]