Some Answered Questions

Some Answered Questions is a book that was first published in 1908. It contains questions related to religion, philosophy and science, asked to `Abdu'l-Bahá by Laura Clifford Barney, during several of her visits to Haifa between 1904 and 1906, and `Abdu'l-Bahá's answers to these questions.[1] `Abdu'l-Bahá was the son of Bahá'u'lláh, the founder of the Bahá'í Faith, and was appointed by him as his successor and interpreter of his words.[2]

Topics covered include the Prophets of God, human evolution, immortality of the soul, the relationship between the soul and the body, reincarnation and Christian subjects.[3]

History

'Abdu'l-Bahá's answers were first written down in Persian by a secretary, and afterwards revised twice by 'Abdu'l-Bahá. In 1908, three first editions were published: The Persian text by E.J. Brill in The Netherlands; the English translation of Laura Clifford Barney by Regan Paul, Trench, Trübner & Co. in London; and a French edition translated by Hippolyte Dreyfus, published by Ernest Leroux in Paris.[3]

A new English translation revised by a committee at the Bahá'í World Centre was published in 2014 and made available in early 2015.

Overview

The book is divided into five parts:

I. On the Influence of the Prophets in the Evolution of Humanity

Part one covers topics such as the one universal law that governs nature, rational and spiritual proofs of the existence of God,[4] Manifestations of God[5] (Abraham,[6] Moses,[7] Christ,[8] Muhammad,[9] (includes His wives and battles), the Báb,[10] and Bahá'u'lláh),[11] and Biblical prophecies from chapters 8, 9 and 12 of the Book of Daniel (see Day-year principle),[12] chapter 11 of the Book of Isaiah and chapters 11 and 12 of the Book of Revelation.[13][14][15]

II. Some Christian Subjects

Part two consists of subjects of Christian interest, such as the significance of symbolism ("intelligible realities and their expression through sensible forms"[16]), an examination and breakdown of various verses from the Bible, the story of Adam and Eve,[17] the birth of Christ, the greatness of Christ,[8] baptism,[18] miracles,[19] the Eucharist, Peter and the Papacy, the resurrection of Christ,[20] the Holy Spirit, the second coming of Christ, the Day of Judgement, the Trinity, sin,[21] blasphemy,[22] and predestination.[23]

III. On the Powers and Conditions of the Manifestations of God

Part three speaks about topics such as the five aspects of spirit,[24] the stations, power and influence of the Manifestations of God, universal cycles,[25] the two classes of Prophets,[26] God's rebukes to the Prophets[27] and infallibility.[28]

IV. On the Origin, Powers and Conditions of Man

The fourth part includes a commentary on the theory of evolution,[29][30] the origin of the universe,[31] the difference between man and animal, the origin of man, the difference between the soul, mind, and spirit,[32] human nature,[33] the origin of the spirit and mind of man, the relationship between the spirit and the body, the relationship between God and man (emanationism),[34] the physical and intellectual powers of man, the differences of character in men,[33] the degree of knowledge man possesses and the knowledge the Manifestations of God possess, man's knowledge of God, the immortality of the spirit, the state and progress of the spirit after death,[32] fate,[23] the influence of the stars,[35] free will,[36] visions, dreams[37] and communication with spirits,[38] and spiritual and physical healing.[39]

V. Miscellaneous Subjects

Part five goes into topics such as the nonexistence of evil,[40] two kinds of torment,[41] the justice and mercy of God, the punishment of criminals, strikes, reality, pre-existence, reincarnation,[42] pantheism ('Unity of Existence'),[43] four kinds of comprehension,[44] and ethics.[45][46]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Smith, Peter (2000). "Some Answered Questions". A concise encyclopedia of the Bahá'í Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. p. 325. ISBN 1-85168-184-1.
  2. ↑ Tai-Seale, Thomas (1992). Thy Kingdom Come: A Biblical Introduction to the Bahá'í Faith. US: Kalimat Press. pp. 194–195. ISBN 0933770936.
  3. 1 2 Foreword to the 2014 edition of Some Answered Questions.
  4. ↑ Smith, Peter (2000). "God". A concise encyclopedia of the Bahá'í Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. pp. 164–165. ISBN 1-85168-184-1.
  5. ↑ Smith, Peter (2000). "manifestations of God". A concise encyclopedia of the Bahá'í Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. p. 231. ISBN 1-85168-184-1.
  6. ↑ Smith, Peter (2000). "Abraham". A concise encyclopedia of the Bahá'í Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. p. 22. ISBN 1-85168-184-1.
  7. ↑ Smith, Peter (2000). "Moses". A concise encyclopedia of the Bahá'í Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. p. 251. ISBN 1-85168-184-1.
  8. 1 2 Smith, Peter (2000). "Jesus". A concise encyclopedia of the Bahá'í Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. p. 214. ISBN 1-85168-184-1.
  9. ↑ Smith, Peter (2000). "Muhammad". A concise encyclopedia of the Bahá'í Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. p. 251. ISBN 1-85168-184-1.
  10. ↑ Smith, Peter (2000). "Báb". A concise encyclopedia of the Bahá'í Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. pp. 55–61. ISBN 1-85168-184-1.
  11. ↑ Smith, Peter (2000). "Bahá'u'lláh". A concise encyclopedia of the Bahá'í Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. pp. 73–86. ISBN 1-85168-184-1.
  12. ↑ Riggs, Robert (1998). I, Daniel.
  13. ↑ Sours, Michael (1996). Understanding Biblical Prophecy. Oxford, UK: George Ronald. ISBN 9781851681112.
  14. ↑ Tai-Seale, Thomas (1992). Thy Kingdom Come: A Biblical Introduction to the Bahá'í Faith. US: Kalimat Press. ISBN 0933770936.
  15. ↑ Able, John (2011). Apocalypse Secrets: Baha'i Interpretation of the Book of Revelation.
  16. ↑ Lepain, Jean-Marc (2015) [2002]. The Archeology of the Kingdom of God. pp. 246-270.
  17. ↑ Smith, Peter (2000). "Adam". A concise encyclopedia of the Bahá'í Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. p. 23. ISBN 1-85168-184-1.
  18. ↑ Smith, Peter (2000). "baptism". A concise encyclopedia of the Bahá'í Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. p. 90. ISBN 1-85168-184-1.
  19. ↑ Smith, Peter (2000). "miracles". A concise encyclopedia of the Bahá'í Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. p. 249. ISBN 1-85168-184-1.
  20. ↑ Smith, Peter (2000). "resurrection". A concise encyclopedia of the Bahá'í Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. p. 293. ISBN 1-85168-184-1.
  21. ↑ Smith, Peter (2000). "sin". A concise encyclopedia of the Bahá'í Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. pp. 322–323. ISBN 1-85168-184-1.
  22. ↑ Momen, Moojan (2009). "Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit: Chapter 31 of Some Answered Questions". Irfan Colloquia. 10. Wilmette, IL: Irfan Colloquia. pp. 275–294.
  23. 1 2 Smith, Peter (2000). "fate". A concise encyclopedia of the Bahá'í Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. p. 157. ISBN 1-85168-184-1.
  24. ↑ Smith, Peter (2000). "metaphysics". A concise encyclopedia of the Bahá'í Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. pp. 245–246. ISBN 1-85168-184-1.
  25. ↑ Smith, Peter (2000). "time". A concise encyclopedia of the Bahá'í Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. pp. 338–339. ISBN 1-85168-184-1.
  26. ↑ Smith, Peter (2000). "prophets". A concise encyclopedia of the Bahá'í Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. p. 279. ISBN 1-85168-184-1.
  27. ↑ Hemmat, Amrollah (2008). Adam's Wish: Unknown Poetry of Tahirih. Baha'i Publishing Trust. pp. 23–24. ISBN 1-890688-36-3.
  28. ↑ Smith, Peter (2000). "infallibility". A concise encyclopedia of the Bahá'í Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. pp. 196–197. ISBN 1-85168-184-1.
  29. ↑ Smith, Peter (2000). "evolution". A concise encyclopedia of the Bahá'í Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. p. 136. ISBN 1-85168-184-1.
  30. ↑ Brown, Keven, ed. (2001). "Evolution and Bahá'í Belief: 'Abdu'l-Bahá's Response to Nineteenth-Century Darwinism". Studies in the Bábí and Bahá'í Religions. 12. Los Angeles, US: Kalimat Press. pp. 179–180.
  31. ↑ Smith, Peter (2000). "creation". A concise encyclopedia of the Bahá'í Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. p. 116. ISBN 1-85168-184-1.
  32. 1 2 Smith, Peter (2000). "soul". A concise encyclopedia of the Bahá'í Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. pp. 325–326. ISBN 1-85168-184-1.
  33. 1 2 Smith, Peter (2000). "evolution". A concise encyclopedia of the Bahá'í Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. p. 186. ISBN 1-85168-184-1.
  34. ↑ Taherzadeh, Adib (1987). The Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh, Volume 4: Mazra'ih & Bahji 1877-92. Oxford, UK: George Ronald. pp. 41–42. ISBN 0-85398-270-8.
  35. ↑ Smith, Peter (2000). "astrology". A concise encyclopedia of the Bahá'í Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. p. 52. ISBN 1-85168-184-1.
  36. ↑ Smith, Peter (2000). "free will". A concise encyclopedia of the Bahá'í Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. p. 160. ISBN 1-85168-184-1.
  37. ↑ Smith, Peter (2000). "dreams and visions". A concise encyclopedia of the Bahá'í Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. p. 125. ISBN 1-85168-184-1.
  38. ↑ Smith, Peter (2000). "psychic powers". A concise encyclopedia of the Bahá'í Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. pp. 279–280. ISBN 1-85168-184-1.
  39. ↑ Smith, Peter (2000). "health and healing". A concise encyclopedia of the Bahá'í Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. pp. 178–180. ISBN 1-85168-184-1.
  40. ↑ Smith, Peter (2000). "evil". A concise encyclopedia of the Bahá'í Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. p. 135. ISBN 1-85168-184-1.
  41. ↑ Smith, Peter (2000). "suffering". A concise encyclopedia of the Bahá'í Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. p. 328. ISBN 1-85168-184-1.
  42. ↑ Smith, Peter (2000). "reincarnation". A concise encyclopedia of the Bahá'í Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. p. 289. ISBN 1-85168-184-1.
  43. ↑ Brown, Keven (2001). "'Abdu'l-Bahá's Response to the Doctrine of the Unity of Existence". Journal of Bahá'í Studies. 11:3-4. Ottawa, CA: Association for Bahá'í Studies. pp. 1–29.
  44. ↑ Smith, Peter (2000). "knowledge". A concise encyclopedia of the Bahá'í Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. p. 221. ISBN 1-85168-184-1.
  45. ↑ Schaefer, Udo (2007). Bahá'í Ethics in Light of Scripture, Volume 1 - Doctrinal Fundamentals. Oxford, UK: George Ronald. ISBN 0-85398-505-7.
  46. ↑ Schaefer, Udo (2009). Bahá'í Ethics in Light of Scripture, Volume 2 - Virtues and Divine Commandments. Oxford, UK: George Ronald. ISBN 978-0-85398-518-1.

Further reading

  • `Abdu'l-Bahá (1990) [1908]. Some Answered Questions (Softcover ed.). Wilmette, Illinois, USA: Bahá'í Publishing Trust. ISBN 0-87743-162-0.
  • `Abdu'l-Bahá (2014). Some Answered Questions (Newly revised. ed.). Haifa, Israel: Bahá'í World Centre. ISBN 978-0-87743-374-3.
  • Kluge, Ian (2009). Some Answered Questions: A Philosophical Perspective, in Lights of Irfan, Volume 10.
  • Ma'ani, Baharieh Rouhani (2017). Some Answered Questions" and Its Compiler, in Lights of Irfan 18.
  • Ruhi Institute. Spirit of Faith.
  • Ruhi Institute. The Power of the Holy Spirit.
  • Related documents on Bahá’í Library Online
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