The Baha'i Studies Listserv Hey, Sen... I'm not sure why you would rule out the "100 years within which I speak" interpretation of both quotes you offered. Spiritual Assemblies WERE established in the century in which `Abdu'l-Baha wrote the words, right? Also, why couldn't the teachings of Baha'u'llah be the spirit of the 20th century (and beyond, if they are also the spirit of the Age)? That Spirit certainly influenced much of the goings-on in the world, no?
Anyway, again, I don't necessarily disagree with your interpretation. For the most part, it seems to me that you read these passages as obviously-NOT-100-years while others can also reasonably (even in hindsight) read them as 100-years. The translation argument is, I think, compelling, but you often cite quotes such as those below as examples that prove your point, when in fact, I think they weaken your point, because I think they COULD be understood the opposite way. When you JUST give me the details about how certain words were variously translated as X, Y, and Z, then I can see your point and even agree with you. But when you throw in the English translation and say, "See, it's obvious that's what was meant," then you're less convincing, at least in my mind. You mention that if the House weighed in on the issue, that would be tantamount to stepping in the Guardian's shoes. It seems like we can say that about ANYONE who would claim "this is obviously what He meant," or "I'm right, and you're wrong," about the issue, right? Always enjoy your insights, B On Sun, Feb 8, 2009 at 7:46 AM, Sen & Sonja <[email protected]> wrote: > The Baha'i Studies Listserv > On 6 Feb 2009 at 11:24, David Friedman wrote: > > > Have you written the House (or should I say the Research Department) > > to get their feedback on your view of this prophecy? I would be > > interested to see what they'd say. Since you haven't said anything > > I'm guessing you haven't. > > No, I havent, though I have looked for anything relevant from them as > I researched the question. > > I, or someone else, could ask for their feedback, but I would be > surprised if they answered. If they said this or that was the correct > interpretation, they would be standing in the shoes of the Guardian. > > What they do do sometimes is provide a quotation or compilation from > the Writings that casts light on the issue -- but that still leaves > it to the individual believer to read the Writings and decide for > themselves. I think that one only has to look at passages like this: > > The Spiritual Assemblies to be established in this Age of God, this > holy century, have… had neither peer nor likeness in the cycles gone > before. (Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha, page 82) > > The teachings of Baha'u'llah are the light of this age and the > spirit of this century. (Selections from the Writings of > 'Abdu'l-Baha, page 107) > > to see that the 'century' is not one of 100 years, in any calendar. > > Sen > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > -- > Sen McGlinn > *** > Let the friends recall and ever bear in mind > the repeated exhortations and glowing promises of our beloved > Master > with reference to the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar, > the crowning institution in every Baha'i community. > > (Shoghi Effendi, Baha'i Administration, page > 108) > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > -- > > > > __________________________________________________ > You are subscribed to Baha'i Studies as: mailto: > [email protected] > Unsubscribe: send a blank email to mailto: > [email protected] > Subscribe: send subscribe bahai-st in the message body to > [email protected] > Or subscribe: > http://list.jccc.edu:8080/read/all_forums/subscribe?name=bahai-st > Baha'i Studies is available through the following: > Mail - mailto:[email protected] > Web - http://list.jccc.edu:8080/read/?forum=bahai-st > News (on-campus only) - news://list.jccc.edu/bahai-st > Old Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] > New Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] > __________________________________________________ You are subscribed to Baha'i Studies as: mailto:[email protected] Unsubscribe: send a blank email to mailto:[email protected] Subscribe: send subscribe bahai-st in the message body to [email protected] Or subscribe: http://list.jccc.edu:8080/read/all_forums/subscribe?name=bahai-st Baha'i Studies is available through the following: Mail - mailto:[email protected] Web - http://list.jccc.edu:8080/read/?forum=bahai-st News (on-campus only) - news://list.jccc.edu/bahai-st Old Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] New Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]
