“Introductory Essays” is a series of reflective introductory essays on the teachings and significance of Baha’u’llah’s teachings and Revelation. They are authored by Kendal Williams, the editor of Sifter of Dust, and reflect his own views about the Baha’i Faith. You can read them in series by scrolling through or select them individually from the list below.
The Spiritual Instinct introduces the idea that all humans have a desire for transcendence- a spiritual instinct- and the purpose of the Revelations of God has been to refine and develop that instinct.
The Three Onenesses introduces the three core concepts of Baha’u’llah’s faith- that there is one God, one human race, and essentially one faith of God, revealed at different times in history according to our needs.
God is Not Dead (Part 1) is the formal start to the series by describing why it is reasonable to believe in an underlying Will and Intelligence behind the world we experience- what we have come to call “God”.
God is Not Dead (Part 2) continues the discussion of the Baha’i concept of God by describing how God is reflected in all creation and in the revelations that reflect His truth on earth.
The Perspective Inside the Apple highlights a short passage from the Baha’i Writings that explains our relationship to God and why we are so limited in our ability to know Him directly, but that we can see His reality in the world.
One God discusses the concept of the Oneness of God and why it was important in the development of humanity’s understanding of God.
God is Not Trying to Trick Us! (Part 1) describes the Baha’i concept of progressive revelation of spiritual truth and how it is embedded each of the religions of the past. In other words, God has told us what he was up to. He’s not trying to trick us!
God is Not Trying to Trick Us! (Part 2) discusses why each of the revelations of God differ even though they reflect the unfoldment of One Faith.
Taking a Broad Perspective reflects on the fact that Baha’u’llah’s revelation not only is itself a new mine of spiritual truth for people to explore, but sets the stage for people to study the other revelations of God and learn from them as well- revelations of God we might have previously ignored because they weren’t part of our religion.
What is a Human Being? is an essay on the Baha’i concept of a human being.
Two Natures of Humanity highlights a passage from ‘Abdu’l-Baha’ on what we can be as humans.
The Spirit of Faith continues the discussion of the nature of our humanity, highlighting what faith can mean for human spiritual and moral development.
Love and Detachment highlights two spiritual qualities that feature prominently in the Revelation of Baha’u’llah, and how they are related to each other.
Introducing the Speaker discusses the significance of the claims of Baha’u’llah and how they were described by those who most appreciated them.
The Reality of All Things describes how Baha’u’llah taught that spiritual truths are actually the reality of all things and from which we derive inspiration to change the world.
How to Save the World describes the far reaching implications of the oneness of humanity and how we can use it to “save the world”.
Who Speaks for Us? reflects on how Baha’u’llah has stood up for all humanity and is a guide to pull us out of the trap of materialism and understand the religious history of humankind- and ourselves- in a new light.