March 27. On this date in 1983, the Universal House of Justice wrote "Bahá'í scholars must beware of the temptations of intellectual pride...Any Bahá'í who rises to eminence in academic circles will be exposed to the powerful influence of such thinking."

 

March 27. On this date in 1983, the Universal House of Justice wrote "Bahá'í scholars must beware of the temptations of intellectual pride...Any Bahá'í who rises to eminence in academic circles will be exposed to the powerful influence of such thinking."

Strengthening the Core of the Believers' Faith

This need for Bahá'í scholars to become thoroughly deepened in the spirit of the Cause, and well versed in its Teachings is emphasised in the following passage:

In the application of the social laws of the Faith, most of the difficulties can be seen to arise not only from outright disobedience, but also from the actions of those who, while careful to observe the letter of the law, try to go as far as it will permit them away from the spirit which lies at its heart. A similar tendency can be noted among some Bahá'í scholars. The great advances in knowledge and understanding in the vital field of Bahá'í scholarship will be made by those who, while well versed in their subjects and adhering to the principles of research, are also thoroughly imbued with love for the Faith and the determination to grow in the comprehension of its teachings.

(From a letter dated 27 March 1983 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer)

In the same letter the Supreme Body calls attention to the danger of intellectual pride, which a Bahá'í scholar must combat within himself, in these words:

The House of Justice feels that Bahá'í scholars must beware of the temptations of intellectual pride. 'Abdu'l-Bahá has warned the friends in the West that they would be subjected to intellectual tests, and the Guardian reminded them of this warning. There are many aspects of western thinking which have been exalted to a status of unassailable principle in the general mind, that time may well show to have been erroneous or, at least, only partially true. Any Bahá'í who rises to eminence in academic circles will be exposed to the powerful influence of such thinking.

(From a letter dated 27 March 1983 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer)