(From an earlier discussion)
Date: Sun, 9 Apr 1995
From: Juan R Cole
Subject: KIA: K3
Unworthy comments on K3 of the Aqdas by Juan Cole, History, U-Michigan:
"O ye peoples of the world! Know assuredly that My commandments are the lamps of My loving providence among My servants, and the keys of My mercy for My creatures. Thus hath it been sent down from the heaven of the Will of your Lord, the Lord of Revelation."J. Cole: This is an affirmation of the link between works and grace (al-`inayah). In Buddhism, there is no conception of grace--one's spiritual evolution is solely dependent upon one's own deeds. In Pauline Christianity, works are irrelevant and grace is a free gift, and salvation is by recognizing the free gift through faith. Baha'u'llah appears to chart a middle course between these two extremes. Obedience to the Law is a cause of grace (as good karma follows one in Buddhism); but obedience to the law does not exhaust the operations of God's grace. Indeed, the very revelation of the Law is a form of grace (a most un-Pauline statement).
cheers, Juan Cole
(From an earlier discussion)
Date: Thu, 13 Apr 1995
From: Brent Poirier
Subject: Re: KIA: K3
On Sun, 9 Apr 1995, Juan R Cole wrote:
J. Cole: This is an affirmation of the link between works and grace (al-`inayah). In ddhism, there is no conception of grace--one's spiritual evolution is solely dependent upon one's own deeds. In Pauline Christianity, works are irrelevant and grace is a free gift, and salvation is by recognizing the free gift through faith. Baha'u'llah appears to chart a middle course between these two extremes. Obedience to the Law is a cause of grace (as good karma follows one in Buddhism); but obedience to the law does not exhaust the operations of God's grace. Indeed, the very revelation of the Law is a form of grace (a most un-Pauline statement).The Bab has something to say on this:
Wert thou to open the heart of a single soul by helping him to embrace the Cause of Him Whom God shall make manifest, thine inmost being would be filled with the inspirations of that august Name. It devolveth upon you, therefore, to perform this task in the Days of Resurrection, inasmuch as most people are helpless, and wert thou to open their hearts and dispel their doubts, they would gain admittance into the Faith of God. Therefore, manifest thou this attribgute to the utmost of thine ability in the days of Him Whom God shall make manifest. For indeed if thou dost open the heart of a person for His sake, better will it be for thee than every virtuous deed; since deeds are secondary to faith in Him and certitude in His Reality.Selections from the Writings of the Bab, p. 133
Brent