A Study of the “Secret of Divine
Civilization”
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Sunday 28th. November 2004
Jama’l - Beauty 6th. Qawl - Speech 161.
Dear Sylvia and fellow students.
I’m so late, I hope I haven’t missed the boat altogether,
May I submit this to the forum?
It has to do with “THE TWO PRONGED FORMULA”
In the old world order, we have instances of royalty and
government working as a team. In South Africa we have the government and
Madiba. Don’t you find that while the government engages ones mind, the King or
Queen or – in our case – Madiba, engages ones heart?
In the new world order, I wonder if they will evolve a
similar scheme based on the Baha’i system of the elected and the learned?
We have spiritually learned people all over. We have the
Counselors and the Auxiliary Board Members going all the way up to the
International Teaching Centre. We have organised scholarly groups like our very
own S. A. Association for Baha’i Studies going all the way up to the facility
in Haifa for the study of the texts. And, of course, we have many spiritually
learned individuals just leaning here and leaning there.
We know from the Writings that for a community, large or
small, to progress, there must be real harmony and unity between the two arms
of the Faith. If the elected become headstrong and press forward on a purely
intellectual course, I suspect that they would soon find themselves mired in
all manner of unexpected problems.
I wonder if I had life over knowing what I know now, would I
try to become a scholar? Should I advise my children (actually it’s even late for
that) to become one of the “spiritually learned” working within the old world
order?
Don’t know! But what I do know is that to qualify as a
spiritually learned person in 'Abdu'l-Baha’s book, is really a major
achievement. Look at the elected / learned requirements; Elected from para
30,43 plus; Learned from para 57, 59,60,65,66 plus.
ELECTED (Parliament etc) SPIRITUALLY
LEARNED
Righteous Inner and outer
perfection
God fearing Jewel of the fear of God
(57). Heartfelt fear of God (59), Fear of God (164) Reverence.
High Minded High purpose,
Intellectual power
Incorruptible Pure and spotless honour
Cognissent of the laws of God
Informed of highest principles of law Pure intent, sincerity of intent.
Versed in rules governing international affairs. Informed of the inner realities of the
Sacred Books
Versed in conduct of foreign relations Versed in Secrets of Divine Wisdom
Skilled in useful arts of civilization ** Intuition, discretion, foresight,
temperance.
Content with lawful emoluments
Content with modest stipend **2 (para 38)
Excellent character Good
Character
High resolve Enlightened
nature
Breadth of learning Brilliance
and discernment
Ability to solve difficult problems.
Teach all
the time (101)
O.K? – I’m sure this list is incomplete.
Look at this sequence;
Para 60 gives the big four; Guard himself. Defend his faith.
Oppose his passions. Obey his Lord.
Para 65, Legislative; the focal centre is the learned. If
this be defective, the state cannot run. Executive, the focal centre is the
government.
Para 66, Establish a body of scholars each expert in one of
the above. (Big four?)
Many people know that our current systems are seriously
flawed, they’ve got to be replaced. Maybe they don’t know what to replace them
with. Maybe it would be very difficult to “sell” the Baha’i system to those
currently in power. Maybe we just let God get on with it and we focus on
teaching the Faith. - - Yeah!!
Loving greetings
Martin.