Baha’i Religion

QUESTION: What does the Baha’i religion believe about God?

ANSWER:

Followers of the Baha’i religion have an exalted view of God, so much so they deem God unknowable. They believe God is not so much without gender as beyond gender. He is neither male nor female. God, according to the Baha’i, is exalted above all human attributes. Anyone who professes real knowledge of God has simply succumbed to their own imagination. For the Baha’i, the essence of God cannot even be hinted at, and comprehension of God is unattainable.

In the teachings of the Baha’i, the only way to know God is through the Manifestations of God. These Manifestations of God exhibit God’s character and attributes, acting as his messengers. Since God is unknowable, the Manifestations of God represent God’s divine presence, and transmit grace and heavenly knowledge to mankind.

The Manifestations of God were individuals who lived amongst men. The Baha’i do not believe they were incarnations, rather that they were theophanies -- a visible manifestation -- reflecting the glory of God. These individuals were the only means man had to approach God. While there is no definitive list of individuals who were considered Manifestations of God, these personalities included Adam, Abraham, Moses, Zoroaster -- the founder of the religion Zoroastrianism which was accepted by the Baha’is as one of the nine known religions -- Krishna, The Buddha, Jesus, Muhammad, The Bab, and Baha’u’llah. Each of the Manifestations was unique in the way they exuded deity; their message and methods were individual. Some styled themselves as prophets, while others claimed to be the very voice of God. Nevertheless, each was considered to be the bringer of divine revelation, unity, peace, and certainty to diverse groups of people. They brought all to the same faith. Ultimately, it is believed, other Manifestations will arise though none will overshadow Baha’u’llah, the founder of the Baha’i faith.

Baha’i Religion – God and Jesus
The teachings of the Baha’i embraced the idea of a creator. The composition of the universe suggested design; they did not feel things developed by accident. Even the makeup of human character and personality including intelligence and volition was the indication of the work of some Greater Power than chance. The Baha’i writings included some extremely lofty names for God: Almighty, All-Knowing, Cause of All Causes, Inspirer, Fountainhead of All Revelations, Wellspring of All Lights.

The Baha’is have listed Jesus Christ as one of the mere Manifestations of God, among many others. They have not understood that Jesus Christ was indeed God Incarnate, God in human flesh. Jesus Christ came so that we could know God, the gap between human and divine was bridged by the shedding of Jesus’ blood. 1 John 5:20 says, “And we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we are in God because we are in his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and he is eternal life.”