Bahá'í

Rating:
Summary: Useless as a tool for investigation
Review: I have read this book and others like it. For the purpose of Christian-Baha'i dialogue, it leaves the Christian with no basis for logical, relevant or serious arguments. Anyone interested in investigating the Baha'i Faith or preparing for a discussion with a Baha'i will do much better to actually read the writings of the Faith.

Rating:
Summary: New Thoughts
Review: My old review has been the "spotlight" for a while here, and I have been thinking about this book recently, so I want to revisit this issue.

This book seems to have become a classic in Christian polemics against the Baha'i Faith; fair enough. The book argues that because Christianity is Christianity, and the Baha'i Religion is not Christianity, the Baha'i Faith is something which is not only ridiculous but a misguiding religion with probably connections to the Christian understanding of "satanism." This is the kind of work (so-called) "evangelical" Christians do.

But do not mistake this for a scholarly treatment of the Baha'i Faith--not even a scholarly treatment from a Christian perspective. As one reviewer seems to place weight, the book allegedley survived a thesis defense at a University. It is not the goal of Christian philosophy or theology, however, to devalue other living religious. To the contrary, the "encounter of world religions" (as Tillich put it) is to test one's own epistemological and metaphysical claims and hope for a mutual transformation--not an imperialist conversion.

I myself am in the midst of writing a replacement for Beckwith's book, as a Christian pastor who has dealt with the Baha'i faith in communities whom I have served. E-Mail me with you thoughts if you're interested. I don't see how Beckwith's book actaully serves the church outside of a pretentious waving of the Bible at the alien religion. The work that needs to be done is to (1) understand correctly what the Baha'i religion is, its debates and issues, its humanitarian views, (2) figure out appropriate ways to approach the religion in the local community, and (3) develop a sustained or sustaining theology of pluralism for Christian community which adequately addresses the complexities of this new religion in a way that is both explicitly Christian and ethical.

Rating:
Summary: New Thoughts
Review: My old review has been the "spotlight" for a while here, and I have been thinking about this book recently, so I want to revisit this issue.

This book seems to have become a classic in Christian polemics against the Baha'i Faith; fair enough. The book argues that because Christianity is Christianity, and the Baha'i Religion is not Christianity, the Baha'i Faith is something which is not only ridiculous but a misguiding religion with probably connections to the Christian understanding of "satanism." This is the kind of work (so-called) "evangelical" Christians do.

But do not mistake this for a scholarly treatment of the Baha'i Faith--not even a scholarly treatment from a Christian perspective. As one reviewer seems to place weight, the book allegedley survived a thesis defense at a University. It is not the goal of Christian philosophy or theology, however, to devalue other living religious. To the contrary, the "encounter of world religions" (as Tillich put it) is to test one's own epistemological and metaphysical claims and hope for a mutual transformation--not an imperialist conversion.

I myself am in the midst of writing a replacement for Beckwith's book, as a Christian pastor who has dealt with the Baha'i faith in communities whom I have served. E-Mail me with you thoughts if you're interested. I don't see how Beckwith's book actaully serves the church outside of a pretentious waving of the Bible at the alien religion. The work that needs to be done is to (1) understand correctly what the Baha'i religion is, its debates and issues, its humanitarian views, (2) figure out appropriate ways to approach the religion in the local community, and (3) develop a sustained or sustaining theology of pluralism for Christian community which adequately addresses the complexities of this new religion in a way that is both explicitly Christian and ethical.

Rating:
Summary: Christian writer on the attack
Review: The explanation section of the cover states that it is a "Christian response to Baha'ism,,," In this response, Beckwith shows that the Baha'i religion is based on numerous self-contradictory elements. these elements are well-footnoted and explained. In reading the other reviews it is interesting to note how the critics constantly mention "false' or "incorrect" statements, yet they fail to present even one of them for review. The question is not whether or not this book places the Baha'i faith in a bad light, or is a polemic against the faith. The question is whether or not what Beckwith writes is true and/ or is substantiated--and none of the reviewers here seem to offer any legitimate evidence.

Rating:
Summary: Poor Effort in Christian Critique
Review: The monograph is a true representation of a poorly researched effort into Christian critique, in this case of the Baha'i Faith. I found the work quite inadequate in its representation of an objective analysis of the Biblical analogies of the Bahai Faith. Not only was this an apologetic piece of polemic work, but the author's prejudices were so stunningly apparent, that it is truly hard to accept any of it as being objective. I found this typical of evangelical works wishing to shoot down beliefs other than their own negative classically conditioned sin diatribes. What a poor effort ! Tha author would have been better to investigate some Bahai works to gain personal first hand experience of this faith's teachings

Rating:
Summary: Excellent & well written, particularily for Christians
Review: The website listed above has apparently ceased to be. But no matter; those truly interested should have no trouble finding the errors for themselves. I knew little about the Faith when I read the book, but it was apparent even to me that it was inaccurate. I disagree with the author's opinion as well, but I should point out that he is within his rights to have any opinion he chooses. My complaint concerns only the facts on which he founds his opinion. They should be checked before any more opnions are built on them. But in the author's defense, he is surely not the first to write a poorly researched paper. I'm sure I've done it myself, but not about such an important topic.

Rating:
Summary: truth
Review: This book lists some basic inconsistencies that the Baha'i faith has with Biblical doctrines. It is clear that many of the reviews below are prejudiced. But, the truth stands for itself, and this book helps to point interested parties in the direction of the truth as it compares to the teachings of the Baha'i faith.

Rating:
Summary: Christian writer on the attack
Review: This small book is a presentation of the Baha'i faith (or some aspects of it) from the viewpoint of an evangelical writer - one of those who fortifies his faith and thinks he shows his love for Jesus by attacking the beliefs of others. Eevn the attacks are unoriginal. There is nothing here that hasn't been written elsewhere. More to the point, there is nothing here that hasn't been refuted elsewhere.

Rating:
Summary: Please have an open mind
Review: When I first read this book, I bought it because I wanted to do scholarly research in the Baha'i Faith as an outsider. While I think Professor Beckwith's arguements are a little weak, the book did not give an adequate introduction to Baha'ism.

On a second glance, though, Beckwith doesn't ever advertise to do this. This book is written to an audience of (supposedly) evangelical Christians to critique--not give an objective survey. I suppose, then, that this book does what is set out to do, although the overall argument is that we know our ethical-metaphysical-religious system is right, so everything that is something else must be wrong. No surprise there: we are talking about two distinct, evolving, living traditions here: of course they are going to be different!

Still, the larger question remains whether such a critique is relevant or even ethical. Books like this aren't written with authors afraid of hostility, and do just the opposite of what Christ commands us to do, which is spread the gospel.