Hi Susan, you write: "I'm still not persuaded that the Guardian is making a point about any 'uniqueness' to the divine guidance of the House of Justice in this passage. It seems to me he is describing the same process that all our elected insitutions are expected to follow. Mind you, I do think that the divine guidance of the House of Justice is guaranteed in ways it may not be for our local or national bodies..."
You may be right. I recall Mr. Nakhjavani stating his view that the nature of the guidance flowing to the House was the same as to the Local and National Assemblies; but that it was guaranteed, as you mention. But to me, there is no comparison anywhere in the Writings about the guidance flowing to Local and National Assemblies/ Houses of Justice, to the passage on page 11 of the Will where the Master states that the Bab and Baha'u'llah guide the Universal House of Justice: "The sacred and youthful branch, the Guardian of the Cause of God, as well as the Universal House of Justice to be universally elected and established, are both under the care and protection of the Abha Beauty, under the shelter and unerring guidance of the Exalted One (may my life be offered up for them both)." The Guardian refers to that passage in these words: "The Guardian's infallibility covers interpretation of the Revealed Word and its application. Likewise any instructions he may issue having to do with the protection of the Faith, or its well being must be closely obeyed, as he is infallible in the protection of the Faith. He is assured the guidance of both Baha'u'llah and the Bab, as the Will and Testament of Abdu'l-Baha clearly reveals." (From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to an individual believer, August 20, 1956; Lights of Guidance, 2nd edition, p. 313, #1055) (I feel justified in saying that the Guardian was referring to that passage of the Will, because it is the only verse in the Will I see where the guidance of Baha'u'llah and the Bab is referred to.) The Guardian is in this passage, it seems to me, giving pre-eminence to the guidance flowing to him. His guidance is mentioned in the same passage referring to the guidance flowing to the Universal House of Justice -- in my view, the central statement in the Master's Will, His Covenant, the part that expresses God's part of that Covenant. (The next sentences on page 11 of the Will describe our part -- turning to the House and the Guardian.) But as you say, you feel that the difference is that this guidance is guaranteed, and that is also explicit in that passage from the Guardian, "He is assured" the guidance of both Baha'u'llah and the Bab. This passage in the Will referring to both Manifestations, is also, it seems to me, an elucidation of the passage from Baha'u'llah I quoted earlier in this thread, where He says that "God" will guide the membership of the Universal House of Justice. That is, the Will states that this means both Manifestations; and this seems quite important to Shoghi Effendi to state. It is, perhaps, also reflected in this statement of the Guardian about the two Manifestations "presiding over the destinies" of the Faith: "Allied, though subordinate in rank, and invested with the authority of presiding with Him over the destinies of this supreme Dispensation, there shines upon this mental picture the youthful glory of the Báb..." (The World Order of Baha'u'llah, p. 97) I find it interesting that the Guardian clarifies the guidance flowing to him and the House of Justice as coming from both Manifestations, and emphasizes the point. As far as comparable Writings so clearly specifying the source of the guidance animating, say, the local spiritual assemblies, I haven't found one. Though there is that beautiful passage from the Master: "These Spiritual Assemblies," is 'Abdu'l-Bahá's testimony, in a Tablet addressed to an American believer, "are aided by the Spirit of God. Their defender is 'Abdu'l-Bahá. Over them He spreadeth His Wings. What bounty is there greater than this?" (Quoted in God Passes By, p. 332) A lovely image, the same one used by Christ: "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!" (Luke 13:34) Much love Brent __________________________________________________ You are subscribed to Baha'i Studies as: mailto:archive@mail-archive.com To unsubscribe, send a blank email to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, use subscribe bahai-st in the message body to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Baha'i Studies is available through the following: Mail - mailto:bahai-st@list.jccc.edu Web - http://list.jccc.edu/read/?forum=bahai-st News - news://list.jccc.edu/bahai-st Public - http://www.escribe.com/religion/bahaist Old Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.net New Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.edu
