Course:Teaching Christians/Addressing concerns or questions from Christians

Fears of evil status of Bahá'u'lláh[edit]

False prophets[edit]

Question Short answer Extended discussion link Biblical references
"I’m worried that Bahá’u’lláh is a false prophet." Bahá'u'lláh was not a false prophet as false prophets deny Jesus and show greed and licentiousness but Bahá’u’lláh did not deny the Master, has not suffered swift destruction, or shown licentiousness or greed and therefore can’t be a false prophet. They are also wolves in sheep's clothing; who in this day are the ones wearing the sheep’s clothing? Per Matt 24:23-24, “anyone” may say that there the Christ is, but "anyone" can include churches or clergy who say they have the true Christ in their midst. The Bible itself must be referred to for proof upon which to base faith and test the claims of Bahá’u’lláh.] False prophet False prophets in the Bible

Anti-Christ and Beast[edit]

Question Short answer Extended discussion link Biblical references
"I’m worried that Bahá’u’lláh is the Anti-Christ." No, Bahá'u'lláh is not the Anti-Christ, as the Anti-Christ “denies that Jesus is the Christ.” Anti-Christ Anti-Christ in the Bible
"I worry that you support the beast of Revelation since you Bahá’ís talk so much about world peace and world government." Bahá'í Scriptures explain, as was previously sealed until the time of the End, that the beast of Revelation was the Umayyad dynasty. Also, the temporary covenant mentioned in Daniel was not of a deceptive peace agreement but the spiritual Covenant of Christ. Bahá'ís also do not worship the image of Bahá'u'lláh. beast, peace, world government The beast in the Bible

Devil[edit]

Question Short answer Extended discussion link Biblical references
"You Bahá’ís are nice enough but the devil can put one drop of poison in with the good which is enough to send you straight to hell?" Bahá’ís are not followers of the devil as Bahá’ís believe in Jesus. As “there is no truth in him (i.e., the devil)”, but Bahá’u’lláh proclaims Jesus as the Son of God and the Christ, Bahá’u’lláh can’t be the Devil. The Devil and Satan are the same being per the Bible, so He can be neither. As God will not cause confusion and the Devil can tell no truth, the accusation of the Devil planting partial truths in Bahá’í teachings to confuse the Christian is not Biblical and false. Since Satan's influence is not flesh, and Bahá’u’lláh had a physical body, He therefore could not be Satan or someone to fight against. “The Power of Satan” could even be understood to cause Christians to miss recognizing Bahá’u’lláh as the Return of Christ just as the New Testament refers to this same “Power of Satan” blinding the Chosen People, the elect, the Jews from recognizing Jesus as the Christ if the reasons Christians give in failing to recognize Bahá’u’lláh are the same as the Jews gave in failing to recognize Jesus. Devil Devil in the Bible

Other concerns about Bahá'ís[edit]

Question Short answer Extended discussion link Biblical references
"Are Bahá’ís righteous?" Yes as “Little children, let no one deceive you.” “He who does right is righteous, as He is righteous.” 1 John 3:7
"Are Bahá’ís condemned?" No, as “He who believes in Him is not condemned.” John 3:18

Issues with notion of God[edit]

Question Short answer Extended discussion link Biblical references
"Jesus was God. Why should I follow anyone but God?" "Jesus claimed to be God. Does Bahá’u’lláh claim to be God?" Yes (but neither was literally). Both the Old and New Testaments confirm that no one has seen God at any time and that God is greater than Jesus. Yet Bahá’u’lláh in the Kitáb-i-Iqán, p. 178, makes it clear that Christ or Bahá’u’lláh or any Manifestation could truthfully declare they were God as it is through the Manifestation’s Revelation and attributes the world of humanity comes to know all that we do know of God. (i.e., see Mirror#Perfect mirror as analogy); 'Abdu'l-Bahá explains the station of Christ and Bahá’u’lláh as the analogy of God as sun and Manifestation as a perfect mirror to reflect the rays of the Holy Spirit to humanity; the Bible too makes clear that Christ is the “Image of God” and “shines” the Word of God on humanity, with the “Gospel of Christ” as a Perfect Mirror, the Station of the Manifestation.)

Christians tend to emphasize the Divine station of the Manifestation to the exclusion of the human station, and many Bahá’ís tend to reverse the emphasis. Perhaps we can learn from each other by referring to our Scriptures. It is this insight and understanding of the Two-Fold Station of the Manifestation along with the Two-Fold Language of Revelation that will “unlock” all the world’s scriptures, bring about the understanding of the true unity of the world’s religions, and the Golden Age of the Bahá’í Faith, God’s Kingdom on Earth as it is in Heaven.		 Divine incarnation, Twofold station of the Manifestation of God, Bahá'u'lláh's claim to be God, Cannot literally equate God with Bahá'u'lláh Jesus' claim to be God, Biblical references against Divine incarnation, Mirror#Biblical references
"Do you believe in the Trinity?" Yes, in a sense. “Then he (‘Abdu’l-Bahá) explained the puzzling question of the “Trinity” and demonstrated...that “trinity” not only exists is every religion but in philosophy as well.” (SOW, V13:7 p. 172; also see TAB, p 117); However, the word trinity does not occur in the Bible, and is usually referred to as a mystery that can’t be understood, and was a doctrinal attempt to explain why Jesus said He was and also was not God. Trinity

Issues with Christ or comparisons thereto[edit]

Question Short answer Extended discussion link Biblical references
"Do Bahá’ís believe in Jesus?" Bahá’ís believe in “the Sonship and Divinity of Jesus Christ” (PDC, p. 109). Bahá’u’lláh refers to Jesus as “Lord of the visible and the invisible” (GWB, p. 56) and “The Lord of all being”. (ESW, p. 100) Jesus
"Do Bahá’ís accept the virgin birth?" Yes Christ#Virgin birth (of Christ only) Virgin birth of Christ in the Bible
"Do Bahá’ís accept that Jesus was without sin?" Yes. SAQ, Chapter 44, par. 12 "Sin" by Manifestations of God
"Do Bahá’ís believe that Christ died for our salvation?" Yes. “...the purpose of their Lord and Savior... is the salvation of mankind...” (Arohanui, p. 3) salvation
"Do you believe in the Resurrection of Jesus?" "Jesus rose from the grave and conquered death and left behind an empty tomb. Where is Bahá’u’lláh buried?" There are as many verses in the Bible that speak of the Resurrection as a spiritual event as there are that speak of it as a literal-like event. Even without a physical resurrection, Bahá'ís believe that Jesus has power over death and has the power to resurrect and provide everlasting life to those who follow him. The spiritual principle being illustrated or referred to by the Bible is indeed supported and confirmed in the Bahá’í Writings (e.g., the Power of Jesus over death and His Divine Nature is confirmed though not His Physical Resurrection). It is indeed the underlying spiritual principle and teaching all can agree upon and is the more important reality to begin with that must ultimately guide our Faith and actions ... i.e., Do the believers need Faith that the physical body of Jesus resides above the clouds in the sky, or, more importantly, that Jesus is Divine and has the power to conquer death and bestow life everlasting? Resurrection Resurrection in the Bible
"“For God so loved the world that He gave His Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) Can Bahá’u’lláh be anything as important as God’s only Son?" With Christ being pre-existent per “Before Abraham was, I am.” (John 8:58), Christ's Reality was not time-bound, and thus His Reality is the same as Bahá'u'lláh's after Jesus Christ#Sonship and Divinity of Christ Only begotten Son of God in the Bible
"Aren’t the miracles of Jesus greater than those of Bahá’u’lláh?" Proof of a Prophet is that He produces good fruits, e.g., spiritually heals you. All prophets have miracles in their ministry and all miracles are equally unexplainably phenomenal making it difficult to rank “best.” Also, a Miracle is not a proof all that one says is true or a proof in itself (e.g., if someone said 1 + 1 = 3 and disappeared in a puff of smoke, it would not make the 1+1=3.) And whose miracle is "best" when they are equally unexplainable? ... Which religion has the greatest miracles would become the test for which religion to follow if miracle-working was the greatest proof. The Jews were looking for the promised Messiah to perform the “great miracle” of the literal salvation of the Jewish people as Moses had done by splitting the Red Sea, thereby saving the Jews from Pharoah’s army, and the Jews felt a physical resurrection of one person, by and for Jesus was not the “greater miracle” they were looking for and had already been done by others before Jesus. Jews saw splitting of the Red Sea as “best” as there would otherwise have been no Jesus and this provided a literal salvation of the Jews which they were expecting the Messiah to provide again by destroying the enemies of Israel. miracle Unimportance of miracles as proofs in the Bible

Issues with exclusivity of Christ[edit]

Possible general response: Bahá’u’lláh is the Return of Christ and therefore all the claims of uniqueness for the Station of Christ also apply to Bahá’u’lláh (e.g. Bahá’u’lláh as the Return of Christ is also The Only Way, the Return of the Only Begotten Son, the Return of the Only Mediator between God and Man, etc.).

Question Short answer Extended discussion link Biblical references
"Why should I believe in Bahá’u’lláh when Christ said “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”" "Do Bahá’ís believe Jesus is the “Only Way,” the “Only Begotten Son,” and the “Only Mediator Between God and Man?” Yes, and Bahá’u’lláh is the Return of the “Only Way”, the “Only Begotten Son,” and the “Only Mediator.” One Mediator between God and man One Mediator between God and man in the Bible
"What are the proofs for Bahá'u'lláh?" 1. I can offer you my personal testimony of the “Fruits of the Spirit” in recognizing Bahá’u’lláh as Christ’s Return as far as my spiritual and personal life, bringing me a closer and deeper relationship with the Spirit of Christ as it has done for over 6 million Bahá’ís who are a cross-section of humanity and as Bahá’u’lláh’s promises will be the same for those who practice His Teachings.

2. The Proofs of Bahá’u’lláh are the same as those of Jesus, and the objections to Bahá’u’lláh are the same as those raised against Jesus.

3. Bahá’u’lláh fulfills the prophecies of both the Old and New Testaments.

4. Bahá’u’lláh gave up a life of wealth and social prestige to lead a sinless life of suffering and self-sacrifice to proclaim His teachings. His life demonstrates the “fruits of the spirit.”

5. Bahá’u’lláh, in clear and unmistakable terms, claims to be the Spirit of Truth, the Comforter, the Counselor that Christ promised the Father would send in His place and can be shown to be so by Biblical criteria.

6. Bahá’u’lláh calls upon all humanity to accept Jesus and the truth of His message as Christ prophecies His Return would do. Bahá’u’lláh has brought Buddhists, Hindus and Jews to accept Jesus who, normally, rarely do so.		 Return of Christ Bahá'u'lláh as the Return of Christ in the Bible, Objections of Christians to Bahá’u’lláh are the same as Those to Christ
"The Bible says “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ. How can Progressive Revelation be true?" One Mediator between God and man One Mediator between God and man in the Bible
"“We have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Are you Bahá’ís saying Christ’s sacrifice wasn’t enough and we need Bahá’u’lláh when the Bible says Jesus’ sacrifice was perfect and needed once only for all time?" Sacrifice#Sacrifice of Christ Christ sacrificed once and for all time per the Bible
"The Bible says there is “no other name under heaven” by which we can be saved and isn’t Bahá’u’lláh a different name?" Bahá'u'lláh is a title, like Immanuel was for Jesus. [Jesus means “he who saves.” The Bible uses names as titles and not as literal requirement for prophecy to be fulfilled. Hence Bahá’u’lláh’s name does appear in the New Testament and Old Testament (e.g., Glory of the Lord), just as Jesus of Nazareth took the title Christ, Emmanuel, etc.) Titles of Bahá'u'lláh No other name under heaven in the Bible, Bahá'u'lláh's name in the Bible

Issues with Christianity or practices called for by Christianity[edit]

Question Short answer Extended discussion link Biblical references
"Isn't the Bahá'í Faith something fundamentally different?" No, “The Cause of Bahá’u’lláh is the same as the Cause of Christ.” (TAB 535) Christianity#Same as the Cause of Bahá'u'lláh
"“The blood of Jesus His Son shall cleanse us from all sin”. Have you been washed in the blood of the Lord and had your sins forgiven?" Yes, as “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.” (Acts 16:21); “Thou art indeed the One Who forgiveth the sins of all mankind.”(SWB, p. 4) Forgiveness 1 John 1:17
"“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16:16). Where were you baptized?" Bahá'ís believe in “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.” (Acts 16:31) so we are saved without a physical baptism baptism baptism in the Bible
"Are you saved?" Yes as “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.”; also GWB, p. 87 Salvation Acts 16:31
"Have you been born again?. Do Bahá’ís believe we must be born again?" Yes, as “...man must be born again...” (PUP, p. 288) rebirth
"Do you have a personal relationship with God? Do Bahá’ís believe in a personal God?" Yes. God#Personal God
"Do you believe in Original Sin?" No, it is not Biblically supported and such verses instead refer to the material side of man dominating him. Original Sin "Original Sin" in the Bible

Issues with Bible interpretation in general[edit]

Question Short answer Extended discussion link Biblical references
"Why aren't the prophecies literally fulfilled?" The Bible's own statements and prophecies are clearly not all literal:
A. “You must be born again.” (John 3:3)
B. “Let the dead bury their dead.” (Luke 9:60)
C. “Circumcise the foreskin of your heart.” (Deut 10:16)
D. “He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire.” (Luke 3:16)

Christ and the Apostles also interpreted Old Testament spiritually in prophecy with no literal fulfillment, so they give authority and examples for interpreting the Bible spiritually. 		Literal vs. figurative Literal vs. figurative in the Bible, Objections of Christians to Bahá’u’lláh are the same as Those to Christ
"I (or We Christians) can understand the Bible fully on our own" The Bible itself says it can't be done. (In the “last days” and at “the end times” the seals of the Scriptures were to be unloosed and words unsealed; and now at the close of the Prophetic Cycle, Bahá’u’lláh has indeed unlocked the Scriptures of all Faiths and provided the scriptural keys for the unity of the world and the establishment of God’s Kingdom on earth.) A. “...words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end...” (Dan 12:9) (God tells Daniel that the meaning of scripture is closed and sealed until the end times.)
B. All men and angels unable to “loose the seals” and open scriptures until “Lamb of God” appears (Rev 5:1-5) (Again the scriptures in the New Testament are also sealed as to their meaning until Christ returns. Bahá’u’lláh is indeed the Return and has opened the scriptures as prophesied.)
C. “Judge nothing before the time until the Lord come” (1 Cor 4:5) (Paul tells Christians disputes of doctrine will only be settled by the Return of Christ.)
"Why would God make scripture so challenging and difficult to interpret?" As per the Bible, “For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Heb 4:12); KI, p 49
(Therefore, interpreting the scriptures is a testing for the purity of one’s faith and detachment from all save God in both the Bible and the Kitáb-i-Íqán.)		 Reason for unclear language of the Scriptures
"What do Bahá’ís believe about the Bible?" "Do you Bahá’ís believe the Bible is the Word of God?" Bahá’ís believe the Bible is the Word of God. (KI, p. 84) Bible authenticity

Issues with interpretation of Biblical concepts or events[edit]

Question Short answer Extended discussion link Biblical references
"Christ led a sinless life. Moses killed a man. How can you say Moses or any other man was equal to Christ?" "Sin" by Manifestations of God TODO: p89 Sinlessness of Christ in the Bible, Christ is greater than Moses per the Bible
"Do you Bahá’ís believe that we are saved by Grace? Do Bahá’ís believe we are saved by grace and not by works?" Yes. “The tie...between the creature and the Creator should be regarded as a token of His gracious favor unto men and not as an indication of any merit they may possess.” (GWB, p. 193) Grace Grace and works in the Bible
"Do Bahá'ís believe in atonement and the redemption for sins?" Yes, “We, verily, have come for your sakes, and have borne the misfortunes of the world for your salvation.” (TB, p. 10) “Fix your gaze upon Him Who is the Temple of God amongst men. He in truth has offered His life as a ransom for the redemption of the world.” (GWB, CXLVI, p. 315). Redemption Hebrews 10:10-14 (sanctified through one sacrifice), Hebrews 9:12 (entering the holy place once with his own blood), Romans 6:10 (died to sin once for all)
"Do you Bahá’ís believe Faith (belief) is more important than good works (Deeds)?" Yes, “On the Day of His manifestation, unless thou truly believest in Him, naught can save thee from the fire, even if thou dost perform every righteous deed.” (SWB, p. 110)

“...since deeds are secondary to faith in Him.” (SWB, p. 133)		 Faith and works Faith and works in the Bible
"Do Bahá'ís believe in Heaven and Hell?" "Do you believe in everlasting life?" Yes, “All the tokens of God have been sent down as a token of His grace. The waters of everlasting life, have, in their fullness, been proffered unto men.” (GWB, p. 34) Paradise/Life after death/soul TODO: p94-99
"Do Bahá'ís believe in a literal Satan?" No, but we can agree the most important thing is the spiritual issue. The spiritual principle being illustrated or referred to by the Bible is indeed supported and confirmed in the Bahá’í Writings (e.g., “satanic power” is confirmed though a physical Satan is not). It is indeed the underlying spiritual principle and teaching all can agree upon and is the more important reality to begin with that must ultimately guide our Faith and actions ... i.e., Do the believers wish to avoid contact with a physical Satan or, more importantly, the influence of “satanic power?” Devil Devil in the Bible

Issues with new Revelation[edit]

Question Short answer Extended discussion link Biblical references
"In Galatians and Revelation, the Bible says you can’t add to the Scripture. How can the Bahá’í Faith be true if you’re adding to the Bible?" Old Testament also states can't add to it which would preclude New Testament (Deut 4:2; Deut 12:32) Spiritual laws abide while social laws change, interpolation of the Word of God Not adding to the Scriptures in the Bible, Changing of laws in the Bible
"“Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Heb 13:8). How can Bahá’u’lláh just change Christ’s Laws?" Certainly the physical body of Jesus did change as He grew to manhood; and Jesus as the Word of God also changed as Jesus did change the laws of Moses and, therefore, the Word of God given to the Jews. Manifestations of God are pre-existent and unchanging Jesus being the same forever in the Bible

Issues with specific prophecies required for Return of Christ[edit]

Question Short answer Extended discussion link Biblical references
"If Bahá’u’lláh is the Return of Christ, why haven’t I heard of Bahá’u’lláh when the Bible says “Every eye shall see Him”?" Just as the promise of Isaiah that "all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’” was fulfilled but not literally (Luke 3:4-6), so too has the promise that every eye shall see Him. It is speaking of spiritual eyes. All things perceiving God "Every eye shall see Him" in the Bible
"What about the Rapture? Since I’m a good Christian, if Bahá’u’lláh was the Return of Christ, I would have been already raptured up to heaven!" This cannot be literal due to it being exclusive of Revelation 20-21. Rapture in the Bible
"Where is the name of Bahá’u’lláh mentioned in the Bible?" "Bahá'u'lláh" means "the Glory of God". The "Glory of God" or "Glory of the Lord" appears numerous times in the Bible. Titles of Bahá'u'lláh Bahá'u'lláh's name in the Bible
"Do you believe that Jesus on His Return will fulfill all the prophecies of the Old Testament literally that He hasn’t already fulfilled?" TODO: p91

Issues with other religions[edit]

Question Short answer Extended discussion link Biblical references
"How can you say all the religions are one when they teach different things?" TODO: p77-84

Duty to investigate[edit]

Question Short answer Extended discussion link Biblical references
"I’m a good Christian. Why should I be interested in the Bahá’í Faith?" The Bible requires you to investigate it: “But test the spirits to see whether they are of God...” (1 John 4:1) Independent investigation of truth Independent investigation of truth in the Bible

References[edit]

To-dos for this page[edit]

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