Esther 1-5
9 "manifestations" (religious leaders) of God
- Abraham - Krishna - Moses - Zoroaster - Buddha - Jesus - Mohammad - The Bab - Baha'u'llah
How is *progressive revelation* in Baha'i different from Christianity?
- Christians - He gives info revealed over time revealed more, building not corrective The Baha'i view religious truth being revealed by god over time through a series of divine messengers and those teaching are tailor to suit the needs of the time and places of their appearance (it is *corrective* over time)
What is *sin*?
- Sin is defined as the absence of good in the life of the faithful. There is no need for atonement. Sin will be absorbed by a benevolent God - Good works counterbalance bad deeds
6 writings of Baha'u'llah and 'Abdu'l-Baha:
- The Seven Valleys - The Four Valleys - The Hidden Words - The Book of Certitude - The Most Holy Book - The Tablets of Baha'u'llah
10 Baha'u'llah's principles and teachings
- The oneness of humankind - The independent investigation of truth - The common foundation of all religions - The essential harmony between science and religion - The equality of men and women - The elimination of prejudices of all kinds - Universal compulsory education - The spiritual solution to economics problems - A universal auxiliary language - Universal peace upheld by a world government
the year that constructed Haifa, Israel
1957
What type of preparations did the women go through before seeing the king?
6 months with oil of myrrh & 6 months with spices and ointments for women
Who does *Baha'i* refer to?
Baha'u'llah
What plan did Haman devise against Mordecai and his people?
Because the Jews follow the law of God and not the king's laws, Haman plotted to use this as a means of convincing the king that the Jews were against him. Therefore, the king decreed the Jews be destroyed.
What did Mordecai discover during the preparation time of the virgins?
Bigthan and Teresh sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus
What is *grace*
Grace is redefined as god's kind allowance for man to have the opportunity to earn deliverance
Who did the king promote to his second in command above all his princes?
Haman the Agagite
Major problem
If god is unknowable, how can they determine between true and false manifestation of god
Baha'i faith originated as an ___________ (what religion?) sect
Islamic
Why did Haman despise Mordecai?
Mordecai did not bow down or pay homage to Haman
What angered Haman after the banquet?
Mordecai did not rise nor tremble before him, did not bow (met at the king's gate)
Who is his grandson that he appointed to be the leader?
Shoghi Effendi
What did the Queen ask of the king after the banquet?
That the king and Haman come to a feast that she had prepared for the next day
Who was Esther?
adopted daughter of Mordecai (his uncle's daughter)
Why could Queen Esther not come freely before the king?
anyone goes to the king inside the inner court without being called will be put to death (unless the king holds out the golden scepter)
Who was sought for the king to replace Queen Vashti?
beautiful young virgins
What fear did the king and his officials have of the people when the queen refused to come to the king?
causing all women to look at their husbands with contempt
What did the king want from the queen?
come before the king with her royal crown to show others her beauty
Regular local gatherings called "________"
feasts
What does *Baha'i* mean?
followers of Baha
What action was advised to Haman by his wife and friends?
have Mordecai hanged upon a fifty-cubit gallows
What was the king celebrating?
his excellence
What did Queen Esther ask Mordecai and the Jews in Shushan to do for her?
hold a fast for three days
Who were king and queen during the time of Esther?
king Ahasuerus & queen Vashti
What was done to the queen?
never to come before the king, her position would be given to someone better
Who did the king held a feast for at the end of his celebration for his officials and servants?
people present in Susa the citadel
What did Esther ask of the king after her three days of fasting?
she asked the king and Haman to come to the feast she had prepared that day
Administrative meetings called "______________________"
spiritual assemblies
What does *the Bab* mean?
the gate
What does *Baha'u'llah* mean?
the glory of God
What does *'Abdu'l-Baha* mean?
the slave of Baha
According to Baha'i, who is God?
· God is an unknowable divine being who has revealed himself through nine "manifestations" (religious leaders)
What happens after death
· Personal immortality based on good works, with rewards for the faithful · Heaven and hell are conditions, not places · Men have no relationship with God
