Baha'is twist the Bible to demote Jesus

Ex-Baha'i Christian Robert Arvay posted the following message on the talk.religion.bahai discussion group responding to two other posters, discussing the way Baha'is misinterpret the Bible in an attempt to bring down the station of Jesus to fit with Baha'i theology:

Subject: Re: Salvation vs Manifestation
From: Robert Arvay
Date: Sep 27 2001, 6:46 p.m.
URL: http://groups-beta.google.com/group/talk.religion.bahai/msg/29ebb11a9238edb6

Hello Adelard and Timothy;

In reading Timothy Casey's response, I wish to commend him for his well researched comments, and to say that I agree with much of what he says. However, he necessarily steers away from the main point, which is to address the nature of salvation (ref Adelard's question of works vs faith) through Christ. Tim's focus on the Golden Rule does not suffice. Salvation from sin is the center and core of Christ's unique role as the one and only begotten Son of God, the Messiah. The Golden rule is a subset, not an overarching principle, of salvation.

The key error in Baha'i doctrine (as I see it), is that while quoting the Bible on the one hand, Baha'is reject the Bible as the uncorrupted, inerrant word of God. Therefore, they are resorting for support to something they regard as unreliable support! Holding the Koran as superior to the Bible, they quote the Bible whenever the quote seems to support their position. But then they turn around and dismiss (or tortuously interpret) the Biblical quotes which undermine their position.

They do this of necessity, because in order for Baha'i (or Islamic) theology to work, Jesus must be demoted from His true nature as one person of the Trinity. Adam, on the other hand, through whom sin entered into the world, must strangely be elevated to a position of equality with Jesus. Each of them becomes merely one among many "springtimes," or "manifestations," (but not the thing being manifested), none to be preferred above any other.

This inherent contradiction between the Baha'i and Christian essentials of faith cannot be overcome by any attempts at reconciling the two. One of them must be flat wrong. And while Baha'i apologists are impressively skilled at making the attempt, even they must resort to verbal contortions, shifting back and forth between literal and liberal interpretations at the drop of a verse. And while they seem to do well with individual (inconvenient) passages of the Bible, the overall Biblical message stands as an insurmountable fortress against all attempts to make it fit the Baha'i concept of Jesus being only a manifestation of God, and not God incarnate.

I am not the only former Baha'i to have noticed these things. Baha'is themselves are well intentioned and beloved by God. But Baha'i doctrine is a dangerous deception. The only shield and shelter is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. You can know that for a fact based not on what I say, but by your own experience through prayer, Bible reading, and fellowship with saved Christians. Jesus proves Himself to me all the time. He is reaching out to you, also. May He be extra close to us in these unsteady times.

Former Baha'is and Ex-Baha'i Christians: Selected Testimonials

Bahai-Faith.com -- The Baha'i Faith: An Ex-Baha'i Christian View

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