Why should we study proofs and prophecies? Knowledge of proofs and prophecies is the fuel or the driving force that leads us to serve humankind.
Failure to teach is a symptom of a special deficiency in the soul called a lack of “certitude,” or a partially convinced mind. The Báb’s uncle knew in his heart the exalted station of the Báb, but he had some logical questions. Bahá’u’lláh revealed The Book of Certitude in a convincing manner to elevate the questioner’s level of certitude. The book served its purpose.
Some people become Bahá’ís because they love the teachings, but they do not fully recognize the station of Bahá’u’lláh. Their minds are only partially convinced. The way to transform their minds is to immerse them in proofs and prophecies. Among the books written in English in the last 40 years, none has brought more people into the Faith than Thief in the Night. Why? Seekers may read many other books, but the book that breaks their resistance is Thief in the Night. That book transforms the mind. We hope our series on prophecies will do the same, especially for seekers who have more time and need more evidence. We hope that just looking at those books and weighing them will convince the seekers!
Several Bahá’ís ordered I Shall Come Again to give to a loved one who was raised in a Bahá’í family but could not appreciate the station of Bahá’u’lláh. He or she did not have a strong logical reason to be a Bahá’í. In this age of skepticism and widespread fear of cults, people need strong logical evidence before they are willing to submit their soul.
Without any question, as the believers’ level of certainty rises, so will the level of their service. Bahá’ís who fail to teach or contribute to the fund suffer from a lack of certitude. They have just enough spiritual riches to satisfy their souls, but not enough to give any away. They have no reason to exchange their immediate needs and desires for everlasting blessings and bounties. They act like an employee who willingly works for a company that gives him security, but has no desire to work an extra hour once a week without pay!
The only lasting and sure way to promote teaching and increase service to humankind is to increase the level of certitude in the believers. Such a knowledge is a magnet that draws the blessings of God.
When we ask partially convinced Bahá’ís to teach and give to the fund, they may feel guilty and do both, but only for a short time. But once these believers reach a high level of certitude, instead of waiting for encouragement, they become a source of encouragement.
The best investment in the growth of the Faith is to increase the believers’ level of certitude to such an extent that they will see the station of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh and the reality of the next life as clearly and as surely as they see the sun.
Often, those who lack certainty also lack the motivation to read. What is the solution? It is to hold classes on proofs and prophecies. Group interaction as a rule increases the level of motivation.
In the early days of the Faith, classes on proofs and prophecies were quite common. The supreme Figures of our Faith encouraged the believers to hold such classes. In these days, we often begin and end with teachings. We fail to master and share the proofs of the Faith. Please consider holding special “Classes for the Mind” until all minds in your community reach the level of “Absolute Certainty.” Bahá’í summer schools are the ideal places to set a new trend.
As mentioned, many people accept the Bahá’í Faith and then become inactive or leave. Their deficiency is a lack of certitude. Once the mind is convinced, the believer loses the will-power to leave the Faith. His mind will keep bothering him, if he does! Until both our hearts and minds are released from doubts, our souls cannot soar. Accomplishing this goal is the first step towards building the City of God.
To conclude: For too long we have depended on the teachings to nourish the seekers and to sustain our souls. The time has come to shift to a balanced diet. The time has come to replenish the minds with the power of reason, otherwise a spiritual Alzheimer will afflict and stifle the workings of the hearts!
We know one distinguished Bahá’í—Dr. David Young—who champions this cause with much fervor. We highly recommend his seminars. His enthusiasm is highly contagious! Make sure your immune system is healthy before you go!
The following incidence was recently published in a Bahá’í Persian magazine (Payam-i-Bahá’í, No. 158, p. 13). A Muslim who had read several Bahá’í books on proofs and prophecies became so agitated that he began to mourn and to complain to God in a loud and angry voice. He yelled saying:
O God! Are you asleep? Don’t you see the books that the Bahá’ís have written to prove their Faith? Don’t you see how solid and persuasive they are? The proofs they present are so convincing that even if You Yourself came down to the earth, you would be unable to refute them! Now if you can’t do this, let me know, so that I can figure out what to do on my own!
We are offering the Bahá’í community four books on biblical proofs and prophecies.