On Tue, 18 Jan 2005 11:00:45 -0800, Richard H. Gravelly <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: Gilberto: > >>Yes, I understand that. But that would only be an issue if the Bahai lamp > >>is the only one with light. If light shone through muiltiple lamps, you > >>can pick any lamp you want, even if for silly reasons like it was the lamp > >>you grew up with, or it was the lamp your in-laws wanted you to use, > >>because they all have light.<<
Richard: > The first clear statement regarding the light and its function, in my > understanding, is in Genesis Gilberto: In terms of the Bible, I agree, but I would have tried to bring together a different set of passages: Genesis 1:3 And God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. So that was the light which was brought into existence by God speaking.a word. So then there are also connections with John 1 [1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] He was in the beginning with God; [3] all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. [...] [9] The true light that enlightens every man was coming into the world. which the Bible identifies with Jesus. And then what is really interesting is Proverbs 8 which talks alot about Wisdom personified. But just the bit I would want to share is where wisdom says: 22] The LORD created me at the beginning of his work, the first of his acts of old. [23] Ages ago I was set up, at the first, before the beginning of the earth. [..] [30] then I was beside him, like a master workman; and I was daily his delight, rejoicing before him always, So throughout the Bible there are all these connections between Logos in John 1, the Light in Genesis, Wisdom mentioned in Proverbs 8, and then Jesus. (also, I would say that since the light is created, this is more like the Arian interpretation) Interestingly enough, In Islam there are similar ideas. Where Islamic sources say in some places that the first thing created was the Intellect, or in other places, the Pen, or in other places, the Light of Muhammad (saaws). So in both it seems as if God *creates* the Light, and this light is sometimes identified with some kind of human mental activity (wisdom or intellect) and is also identified with the prophets, or at least, with Jesus and Muhammad, by Christians and Muslims, respectively. But then would you say that an old lamp goes dark? Or do they continue to possess the same light? Also, at least in the Quran, light and fire are certainly distinguished (for examples, angels are made from light, jinn from fire) so I'm not sure I would switch one for the other. Or assume one implies the other. Peace Gilberto > 3:24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of > Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way > of the tree of life. (King James Bible, Genesis) That light, from whatever > Cherubim or Messenger is always shinning. > > Viewing this as a Christian one would get the impression that the Cherubims > are keeping Adam and Eve (mankind) out of the Garden. Taking "cherubims" as > celestial beings or angels, and being aware that Muhammad was made to deny > that He claimed to be one of the angels, the verse: > > 50:20 And every soul shall come, - an angel with it urging it along, and an > angel to witness against it - (The Qur'an (Rodwell tr), Sura 50 - Kaf) > > yet may well refer to Messengers of God being promised and one previous to a > soul's time on earth. For the angel driving the soul would be the Messenger > for the day in which the soul lives; and the witness angel being the very > same Messenger Who is then resurrected with a new name; which would fit with > the word "cherubim" being in the plural in Genesis. > > The flaming sword would necessarily be the Word of God itself: > > Matt. 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to > send peace, but a sword. > > Rev 1:16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went > a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his > strength. > > The conclusion then would be that the "Light" is the Word of God which is > always held aloft by His Messengers so that the souls may find their way to > Paradise. It therefore does not matter with which Prophet or Messenger or > Manifestation one begins because He will have prophesied the next to come. > It follows then that obedience to the Message in one's hand will result in > one accepting any succeeding Message. The subsequent Messenger is the > previous Messenger resurrected. God is One. He is God. > > "Seek and ye shall find" > > Richard. > > __________________________________________________ > You are subscribed to Baha'i Studies as: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > 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 > -- "My people are hydroponic" __________________________________________________ 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
