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Some Answered Questions
Baháʼí text containing ʻAbdu'l-Bahá's views on religion, philosophy and science

Some Answered Questions is a compilation of table talks of ʻAbdu'l-Bahá that were collected by Laura Clifford Barney between 1904 and 1906 across several pilgrimages. The book was first published in English in 1908. ʻAbdu'l-Bahá was the son of Baháʼu'lláh, the founder of the Baháʼí Faith, and was appointed by him as his successor and interpreter of his words.

The book covers a variety of subjects, including religion, philosophy, science, human evolution, immortality of the soul, labor strikes, reincarnation, and a variety of Christian topics.

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History

ʻAbdu'l-Bahá's answers were first written down in Persian by a secretary, and afterwards revised twice by ʻAbdu'l-Bahá. In 1908, three first editions were published: The Persian text by E.J. Brill in The Netherlands; the English translation of Laura Clifford Barney by Regan Paul, Trench, Trübner & Co. in London; and a French edition translated by Hippolyte Dreyfus [fr], published by Ernest Leroux in Paris.4

A new English translation revised by a committee at the Baháʼí World Centre was published in 2014 and made available in early 2015.

Overview

The book is divided into five parts:

I. On the Influence of the Prophets in the Evolution of Humanity

Part one covers topics such as the one universal law that governs nature, rational, and spiritual proofs of the existence of God,5 Manifestations of God6 (Abraham,7 Moses,8 Jesus,9 Muhammad10 and his wives and battles, the Báb,11 and Baháʼu'lláh),12 and Biblical prophecies from chapters 8, 9, and 12 of the Book of Daniel (see Day-year principle),13 chapter 11 of the Book of Isaiah and chapters 11 and 12 of the Book of Revelation.141516

II. Some Christian Subjects

Part two consists of subjects of Christian interest, such as the significance of symbolism ("intelligible realities and their expression through sensible forms"17), an examination and breakdown of various verses from the Bible, the story of Adam and Eve,18 the birth of Jesus, the "greatness of Christ,"19 baptism,20 miracles,21 the Eucharist, Peter and the Papacy, the resurrection of Jesus,22 the Holy Spirit, the second coming of Jesus, the Day of Judgement, the Trinity, sin,23 blasphemy,24 and predestination.25

III. On the Powers and Conditions of the Manifestations of God

Part three speaks about topics such as the five aspects of spirit,26 the stations, power, and influence of the Manifestations of God, progressive revelation,27 the two classes of Prophets,28 God's rebukes of the Prophets,[specify]29 and infallibility.30

IV. On the Origin, Powers and Conditions of Man

The fourth part includes a Bahai commentary on the theory of evolution,3132 the origin of the universe,33 the difference between man and animal,34 the origin of man, the difference between the soul, mind, and spirit,35 human nature,36 the origin of the spirit and mind of man, the relationship between the spirit and the body, the relationship between God and man (emanationism),37 the physical and intellectual powers of man, the differences of character in men,38 the degree of knowledge man possesses and the knowledge the Manifestations of God possess, man's knowledge of God, the immortality of the spirit, the state and progress of the spirit after death,39 fate,40 the influence of the stars,41 free will,42 visions, dreams43 and communication with spirits,44 and spiritual and physical healing.45

V. Miscellaneous Subjects

Part five goes into topics such as the nonexistence of evil,46 two kinds of torment,47 the justice and mercy of God, the punishment of criminals, strikes, reality, pre-existence, reincarnation,48 pantheism ('Unity of Existence'),49 four kinds of comprehension,50 and ethics.5152

See also

Further reading

References

  1. Smith, Peter (2000). "Some Answered Questions". A concise encyclopedia of the Baháʼí Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. p. 325. ISBN 1-85168-184-1. 1-85168-184-1 ↩

  2. Tai-Seale, Thomas (1992). Thy Kingdom Come: A Biblical Introduction to the Baháʼí Faith. US: Kalimat Press. pp. 194–195. ISBN 0933770936. 0933770936 ↩

  3. Foreword to the 2014 edition of Some Answered Questions. ↩

  4. Foreword to the 2014 edition of Some Answered Questions. ↩

  5. Smith, Peter (2000). "God". A concise encyclopedia of the Baháʼí Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. pp. 164–165. ISBN 1-85168-184-1. 1-85168-184-1 ↩

  6. Smith, Peter (2000). "manifestations of God". A concise encyclopedia of the Baháʼí Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. p. 231. ISBN 1-85168-184-1. 1-85168-184-1 ↩

  7. Smith, Peter (2000). "Abraham". A concise encyclopedia of the Baháʼí Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. p. 22. ISBN 1-85168-184-1. 1-85168-184-1 ↩

  8. Smith, Peter (2000). "Moses". A concise encyclopedia of the Baháʼí Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. p. 251. ISBN 1-85168-184-1. 1-85168-184-1 ↩

  9. Smith, Peter (2000). "Jesus". A concise encyclopedia of the Baháʼí Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. p. 214. ISBN 1-85168-184-1. 1-85168-184-1 ↩

  10. Smith, Peter (2000). "Muhammad". A concise encyclopedia of the Baháʼí Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. p. 251. ISBN 1-85168-184-1. 1-85168-184-1 ↩

  11. Smith, Peter (2000). "Báb". A concise encyclopedia of the Baháʼí Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. pp. 55–61. ISBN 1-85168-184-1. 1-85168-184-1 ↩

  12. Smith, Peter (2000). "Baháʼu'lláh". A concise encyclopedia of the Baháʼí Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. pp. 73–86. ISBN 1-85168-184-1. 1-85168-184-1 ↩

  13. Riggs, Robert (1998). I, Daniel. http://bahai-library.com/riggs_i_daniel ↩

  14. Sours, Michael (1996). Understanding Biblical Prophecy. Oxford, UK: George Ronald. ISBN 9781851681112. 9781851681112 ↩

  15. Tai-Seale, Thomas (1992). Thy Kingdom Come: A Biblical Introduction to the Baháʼí Faith. US: Kalimat Press. ISBN 0933770936. 0933770936 ↩

  16. Able, John (2011). Apocalypse Secrets: Baha'i Interpretation of the Book of Revelation. http://apocalypsesecrets.com ↩

  17. Lepain, Jean-Marc (2015) [2002]. The Archeology of the Kingdom of God. pp. 246-270. http://bahai-library.com/lepain_terry_archeology_god ↩

  18. Smith, Peter (2000). "Adam". A concise encyclopedia of the Baháʼí Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. p. 23. ISBN 1-85168-184-1. 1-85168-184-1 ↩

  19. Smith, Peter (2000). "Jesus". A concise encyclopedia of the Baháʼí Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. p. 214. ISBN 1-85168-184-1. 1-85168-184-1 ↩

  20. Smith, Peter (2000). "baptism". A concise encyclopedia of the Baháʼí Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. p. 90. ISBN 1-85168-184-1. 1-85168-184-1 ↩

  21. Smith, Peter (2000). "miracles". A concise encyclopedia of the Baháʼí Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. p. 249. ISBN 1-85168-184-1. 1-85168-184-1 ↩

  22. Smith, Peter (2000). "resurrection". A concise encyclopedia of the Baháʼí Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. p. 293. ISBN 1-85168-184-1. 1-85168-184-1 ↩

  23. Smith, Peter (2000). "sin". A concise encyclopedia of the Baháʼí Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. pp. 322–323. ISBN 1-85168-184-1. 1-85168-184-1 ↩

  24. Momen, Moojan (2009). "Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit: Chapter 31 of Some Answered Questions". Irfan Colloquia. Vol. 10. Wilmette, IL: Irfan Colloquia. pp. 275–294. http://bahai-library.com/momen_blasphemy_holy_spirit ↩

  25. Smith, Peter (2000). "fate". A concise encyclopedia of the Baháʼí Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. p. 157. ISBN 1-85168-184-1. 1-85168-184-1 ↩

  26. Smith, Peter (2000). "metaphysics". A concise encyclopedia of the Baháʼí Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. pp. 245–246. ISBN 1-85168-184-1. 1-85168-184-1 ↩

  27. Smith, Peter (2000). "time". A concise encyclopedia of the Baháʼí Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. pp. 338–339. ISBN 1-85168-184-1. 1-85168-184-1 ↩

  28. Smith, Peter (2000). "prophets". A concise encyclopedia of the Baháʼí Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. p. 279. ISBN 1-85168-184-1. 1-85168-184-1 ↩

  29. Hemmat, Amrollah (2008). Adam's Wish: Unknown Poetry of Tahirih. Baha'i Publishing Trust. pp. 23–24. ISBN 978-1-890688-36-3. 978-1-890688-36-3 ↩

  30. Smith, Peter (2000). "infallibility". A concise encyclopedia of the Baháʼí Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. pp. 196–197. ISBN 1-85168-184-1. 1-85168-184-1 ↩

  31. Smith, Peter (2000). "evolution". A concise encyclopedia of the Baháʼí Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. p. 136. ISBN 1-85168-184-1. 1-85168-184-1 ↩

  32. Brown, Keven, ed. (2001). "Evolution and Baháʼí Belief: ʻAbdu'l-Bahá's Response to Nineteenth-Century Darwinism". Studies in the Bábí and Baháʼí Religions. Vol. 12. Los Angeles, US: Kalimat Press. pp. 179–180. http://bahai-library.com/brown_evolution_bahai_belief ↩

  33. Smith, Peter (2000). "creation". A concise encyclopedia of the Baháʼí Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. p. 116. ISBN 1-85168-184-1. 1-85168-184-1 ↩

  34. Filson, Gerald. Mind: ‘the Power of the Human Spirit'. Journal of Bahá’í Studies, vol. 32, no. 3-4, July 2023, pp. 9-53. For a general discussion on this topic, see animal cognition https://journal.bahaistudies.ca/online/article/view/337 ↩

  35. Smith, Peter (2000). "soul". A concise encyclopedia of the Baháʼí Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. pp. 325–326. ISBN 1-85168-184-1. 1-85168-184-1 ↩

  36. Smith, Peter (2000). "evolution". A concise encyclopedia of the Baháʼí Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. p. 186. ISBN 1-85168-184-1. 1-85168-184-1 ↩

  37. Taherzadeh, Adib (1987). The Revelation of Baháʼu'lláh, Volume 4: Mazra'ih & Bahji 1877-92. Oxford, UK: George Ronald. pp. 41–42. ISBN 0-85398-270-8. 0-85398-270-8 ↩

  38. Smith, Peter (2000). "evolution". A concise encyclopedia of the Baháʼí Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. p. 186. ISBN 1-85168-184-1. 1-85168-184-1 ↩

  39. Smith, Peter (2000). "soul". A concise encyclopedia of the Baháʼí Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. pp. 325–326. ISBN 1-85168-184-1. 1-85168-184-1 ↩

  40. Smith, Peter (2000). "fate". A concise encyclopedia of the Baháʼí Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. p. 157. ISBN 1-85168-184-1. 1-85168-184-1 ↩

  41. Smith, Peter (2000). "astrology". A concise encyclopedia of the Baháʼí Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. p. 52. ISBN 1-85168-184-1. 1-85168-184-1 ↩

  42. Smith, Peter (2000). "free will". A concise encyclopedia of the Baháʼí Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. p. 160. ISBN 1-85168-184-1. 1-85168-184-1 ↩

  43. Smith, Peter (2000). "dreams and visions". A concise encyclopedia of the Baháʼí Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. p. 125. ISBN 1-85168-184-1. 1-85168-184-1 ↩

  44. Smith, Peter (2000). "psychic powers". A concise encyclopedia of the Baháʼí Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. pp. 279–280. ISBN 1-85168-184-1. 1-85168-184-1 ↩

  45. Smith, Peter (2000). "health and healing". A concise encyclopedia of the Baháʼí Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. pp. 178–180. ISBN 1-85168-184-1. 1-85168-184-1 ↩

  46. Smith, Peter (2000). "evil". A concise encyclopedia of the Baháʼí Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. p. 135. ISBN 1-85168-184-1. 1-85168-184-1 ↩

  47. Smith, Peter (2000). "suffering". A concise encyclopedia of the Baháʼí Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. p. 328. ISBN 1-85168-184-1. 1-85168-184-1 ↩

  48. Smith, Peter (2000). "reincarnation". A concise encyclopedia of the Baháʼí Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. p. 289. ISBN 1-85168-184-1. 1-85168-184-1 ↩

  49. Brown, Keven (2001). "ʻAbdu'l-Bahá's Response to the Doctrine of the Unity of Existence". Journal of Baháʼí Studies. Vol. 11:3-4. Ottawa, CA: Association for Baháʼí Studies. pp. 1–29. http://bahai-library.com/brown_abdul-baha_unity_existence ↩

  50. Smith, Peter (2000). "knowledge". A concise encyclopedia of the Baháʼí Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. p. 221. ISBN 1-85168-184-1. 1-85168-184-1 ↩

  51. Schaefer, Udo (2007). Baháʼí Ethics in Light of Scripture, Volume 1 - Doctrinal Fundamentals. Oxford, UK: George Ronald. ISBN 978-0-85398-505-1. 978-0-85398-505-1 ↩

  52. Schaefer, Udo (2009). Baháʼí Ethics in Light of Scripture, Volume 2 - Virtues and Divine Commandments. Oxford, UK: George Ronald. ISBN 978-0-85398-518-1. 978-0-85398-518-1 ↩