RE: Manifestation Questions

[Brill de Ramirez, Susan]

Within the Jewish tradition, there is the sense that Moses was an imperfect man whom God raised up to be His vehicle.  In the Baha’i writings, Abraham and Adam are also referred to as Manifestations of God.  We know that Adam was not perfect as a man (disobeying God’s command and receiving a harsh punishment—harsher than Eve’s), but God spoke directly to him and Adam was God’s Voice.  Over and over again in the Baha’i writings, we read that the humanness of the Manifestations of God prevented many from recognizing their Stations.   Is it not correct that in Islam, Muslims believe that Muhammad was the Word of God, but not that Muhammad was a perfect person?  Is it His Word that is perfect?   I could be mistaken, but I think that Christianity may be the only religion that posits its Manifestation of God as a Perfect Man in all ways.  Native American sacred traditions also look at their past Messengers as sacred people bringing sacred guidance to them, but not being perfect humans throughout all their lives.  In some cases, the individuals were deeply flawed when young, but then are transformed by the Creator.   I think that in the Baha’i Faith, each person comes to their own understanding of this based on scriptural guidance.  However, Jesus is the only Manifestation of God who was born of a virgin in a miraculous birth.   I imagine that this may represent a different view from those from straight Christian backgrounds.  As a woman of Jewish, Christian, and indigenous ancestry, perhaps I see things differently.   Regards to all,   Susan   Dr. Susan B. Brill de Ramirez, Professor of English Bradley University, Peoria, IL 61625 [EMAIL PROTECTED]; (309) 677-3888; fax (309) 677-2330     In a message dated 11/15/2003 4:46:50 PM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Does this mean that Jesus perfectly manifested God (As opposed >to God manifesting himself in Jesus)?  In other words.  Was it the >result of Jesus' works that God was manifested in him, or did God >essentially choose him, so that it was God doing all of the work?  ---------- You are subscribed to Baha'i Studies as: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Baha'i Studies is available through the following: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] http://list.jccc.net/cgi-bin/lyris.pl?enter=bahai-st news://list.jccc.net/bahai-st http://www.escribe.com/religion/bahaist (public) http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] (public)