Reason and Revelation: New Directions in Baha’i Thought

Studies in the Bábí and Bahá’í Religions, Volume 13

Reason (‘aql) has been called, “First and foremost among these favors, which the Almighty hath conferred upon man…” (Baha’u’llah, Gleanings p194)

These thought-provoking ideas are presented by Bahá’í scholars on a host of issues from the perspective of faith and reason. Their investigations demonstrate that an academic approach can provide fresh insights into faith.

Christopher White talks about the purpose of prayer, and its constant renewal of our relationship with God. Frank Lewis studies the intersection of Bahá’í scripture and its literary background, and how that can aid in interpretation. Christopher Buck makes the case for accepting Indigenous prophets. Udo Schaefer discusses inherent and conferred infallibility. Moojan Momen discusses fundamentalism and liberalism in a Bahá’í context. And Bryan Graham and Geeta Ghandi Kingdom make the case for spiritual solutions to economic problems, including the importance of women’s education.