MEET WADE FRANSSON
(Baha’i)
Blog #4 … By: Wade Fransson
Chapter 4 ~ Progressive Revelation
Human history is rich with evidence of ongoing divine guidance, both within and beyond the Judeo-Christian writings. In this blog, I’ll share my perspective on another foundational teaching of the Baha’i Faith–the concept of progressive revelation. This profound principle helps us understand how divine teachings evolve through successive Manifestations, and how they have shaped humanity’s journey towards its ultimate destiny.
The essence of the teaching on progressive revelation is that God, through His Holy Spirit, empowers primary Messengers, referred to in the Baha’i Writings as Manifestations of God, to bring successive Divine Revelations. Each Divine Revelation brings a spiritual springtime of renewal and a spiritual summer of the flowering of that Revelation, which are inevitably followed by a spiritual Fall and Winter. The death knell of corruption of a Manifestation’s original teachings requires the regenerative power of another Manifestation. As ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the son of the Founder of the Baha’i Faith, explains:
As the rays of the sun bring the light and warmth of the sun to the earth, giving life to all created beings, so do the Manifestations bring the power of the Holy Spirit from the Divine Sun of Reality to give light and life to the souls of men.
Behold, there is an intermediary necessary between the sun and the earth; the sun does not descend to the earth, neither does the earth ascend to the sun. This contact is made by the rays of the sun which bring light and warmth and heat.
The Holy Spirit is the Light from the Sun of Truth bringing, by its infinite power, life and illumination to all mankind, flooding all souls with Divine radiance, conveying the blessings of God’s Mercy to the whole world. The earth, without the medium of the warmth and light of the rays of the sun, could receive no benefits from the sun. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Paris Talks
This teaching recognizes that divine guidance is not static but unfolds progressively over time. Each Manifestation of God, from Adam to Bahá’u’lláh, brought teachings tailored to the needs and capacities of humanity at a given stage of its development. This concept acknowledges the dynamic nature of divine revelation, allowing for continuous spiritual growth and evolution.
Throughout history, divine teachings have evolved alongside human consciousness, language, and conceptual frameworks. Just as a child’s understanding deepens as they mature, humanity’s comprehension of spiritual truths expands with each successive Manifestation. This evolution enables us to “stand on the shoulders of giants”, building upon the insights of those who came before us.
Each Manifestation of God not only brought teachings tailored to their respective eras but also emphasized specific aspects of spiritual growth that alternated between periods of expansion and consolidation. These alternating eras were instrumental in guiding humanity towards its ultimate destiny, fostering the unfoldment of successive civilizations.
Adam, as the first Manifestation, initiated the first dispensation, emphasizing the foundational principles of faith and obedience to God. According to the Genesis story, Adam’s purpose was to “dress and keep” the garden, to cultivate and care for it. And when Eve was created they were to “be fruitful and multiply”. Thus began a process whereby we became the most invasive species ever to exist, but with the potential to reign in the animal side of our nature. God set the pattern of ongoing guidance with his admonitions to Adam and Eve after they disobeyed, and to Adam’s son Cain, when he began to let anger and envy influence his thinking God warned him in Genesis chapter 4 that “sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it. advised Cain to “rule over” sin that “desire toward” him. (Not sure what this means, suggest explaining.) (Not addressed yet)
Following in the way of Cain resulted in the need for God to send another Manifestation, Noah, who came to a world engulfed in moral decay and emphasized the need for repentance and obedience to God’s commandments. His teachings heralded a period of consolidation, with the looming threat of a flood intended to cleanse the earth for the next phase of expansion.
Abraham, known as the father of monotheism, ushered in a new era of spiritual awareness with prophecies that he would be the Father of many nations, with descendents numbering like the stars of heaven or the sand of the seashore. His emphasis on faith and devotion laid the groundwork for the expansion of monotheistic beliefs and the growth of religious communities.
But some of his descendents became enslaved to Pharaoh, and Moses was sent to them, to rescue them from slavery and deliver laws that would help them establish a society based on principles of justice, morality, and social order. His teachings provided a framework for ethical living and communal harmony, guiding his followers through a period of consolidation as they sought to embody the divine principles outlined in the Torah. In the book of Deuteronomy, Moses outlines this as follows:
“Surely I have taught you statutes and judgments, just as the Lord my God commanded me, that you should act according to them in the land which you go to possess. Therefore be careful to observe them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes, and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’”
Deuteronomy 4:5-6 (NKJV)
But after ancient Israel’s decline, various states of vassaldom, captivity, and then occupation by the Romans, Jesus brought a message of love, forgiveness, and spiritual transformation to the Jews, ushering in a new era of spiritual expansion. His emphasis on compassion and unity inspired a wave of spiritual renewal, as individuals sought to deepen their relationship with God and embody the teachings of the gospel. This gospel was to be “preached unto all the nations” prior to the establishment of the Kingdom of God. Indeed, the knees of future kings bowed to him, receiving their crowns in his name. The Baha’i Writings explain that were it not for Jesus, the world would not even know who Moses was, illustrating this ongoing process of consolidation followed by expansion.
Muhammad, following in the Abrahamic tradition, brought the revelation of the Quran, guiding humanity towards social justice, compassion, and submission to the One God’s will. His emphasis on community and ethical governance fostered a period of consolidation, as warring tribes united under the Islamic influence, which emphasized submission to Divine Law, launching a civilization that then flourished and spread across the Arabian Peninsula and beyond.
The Báb, heralding the dawn of a new age, prepared the way for the coming of Bahá’u’lláh, offering spiritual guidance and renewal to a world in need of divine intervention. He came to Persia, known today as Iran, at a time when both Islam and the Ottoman Empire were in decline. His teachings sparked a period of spiritual expansion, as individuals eagerly embraced the message of the Báb and prepared themselves for the revelation of Bahá’u’lláh. Bahá’u’lláh, the latest Manifestation of God, revealed the teachings of unity, peace, and the oneness of humanity, guiding humanity towards its collective maturity. His emphasis on the oneness of God and the unity of humanity ushered in a new era of spiritual expansion, as individuals from diverse backgrounds came together in pursuit of a common vision for the future. The Baha’i Faith emphasizes an outward looking effort to “consort with the followers of all religions” in an effort to foster unity in diversity. A simple but powerful Baha’i quote states
God grant that the light of unity may envelop the whole earth, and that the seal, “the Kingdom is God’s”, may be stamped upon the brow of all its peoples.
Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh
These alternating eras of expansion and consolidation, brought about by the emphasis in the dispensation of each Manifestation, reflect a divine plan for the gradual unfoldment of human potential. They underscore the cyclical nature of spiritual growth in which religious teachings bring the renewal of a spiritual springtime, followed by a flourishing summer, a declining fall, and, finally, a winter in which the teachings have become corrupted over time, requiring a new regenerating release of spiritual energy.
Rather than viewing religions as separate and distinct, this principle invites us to see them as interconnected chapters in a single unfolding narrative, each contributing to humanity’s spiritual evolution. These seasons, and the interconnectedness of religious traditions, guide humanity towards its ultimate destiny of spiritual fulfillment and unity.
We would be remiss if we didn’t mention that the Baha’i Faith also reveres the spiritual wisdom of Krishna, the ancient teachings of Zoroaster, and the profound insights of Buddha. These Manifestations of God were also teachers, sent to provide guidance for humanity’s spiritual journey. This extends to indigenous figures revered by African tribes, the indigenous peoples of the Americas, Australasia, and beyond. The Baha’i Faith underscores the universality of divine revelation and the interconnectedness of human spirituality across time and space by honoring the contributions of these innumerable Manifestations.
As we contemplate the concept of progressive revelation, let us embrace the richness of divine guidance throughout history, recognizing the unity of purpose underlying all religious traditions. We can move towards a more unified and harmonious world, guided by the light of divine wisdom by understanding and appreciating the contributions of successive Manifestations of God.