Bábism and Bahá'ísm Academic Safe Space

Topic of Study:
Between now and September 6th we are exploring the following study: Logos and Civilization: Spirit, History, and Order in the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh. In this groundbreaking study, Nader Saiedi addresses key controversies and problems in the current academic literature about Bahá'u'lláh's writings. The weekly readings and dates can be found at the bottom of this page, however, please read the group description first.

Group Description:
The Chicago Bahá'í Scholars Group is a space specifically designed for academic discussion of scholarly sources (e.g. The Journal of Bahá'í Studies) regarding the history, philosophy, ethics, theology, and practical application of Bábism and Bahá'ísm. This is not a space designed to directly study the religious works of the Bahá'í Faith. Rather, the meetup is a safe space designed for studying scholarly analysis of those Bahá'í texts. For those interested in the spiritual aspect of the Bahá'í Faith and direct study of those texts, I would advise you to visit https://www.bahai.us/contact/.

Lastly, this group is designed for students or those interested in theology/Iranian history. It is NOT a platform to promote the Bahá'í Faith or the religion of a particular participant in the group and is SPECIFICALLY an academic space. People of all beliefs are welcome. Given this, prayer is not an aspect of this group and conversations will mainly be focused on the scholarly exploration of Bábism and Bahá'ísm (ethics, philosophy, theology, history, and the like).

Study Plan
Each week is broken down into two reading sessions for your convenience, each of which is 30 minutes (1 hour total). Please feel free to join even if you have not had a chance to read the content of previous weeks.

Week 1: June 14th
1: Preface
Introduction
2: Part I. The Dynamics Of Spiritual Journey
The Background of
Islamic Sufism
Week 2: June 21st
1: Methodological Issues in Reading Bahá'u'lláh's Mystical
2: Categories of Baha'u'llah's Worldview
The Ontological Circle
Week 3: June 28th
1: Historicizing the Spiritual Journey
Theology of Revelation and Critique of the Unity of
Existence
2: Spiritual Journey in the Four Valleys and the Seven Valleys
Spiritual Journey in the Four Valleys
Week 4: July 5th
1: Spiritual Journey in the Seven Valleys
The Metaphysics of Reality
2: The Kitáb-i-Igán: Context and Order
The Date and Context of Revelation
Veiled Declaration in the Kitáb-i-Igán
Week 5: July 12th
1: The Kitáb-i-igán and the Bayán
The Order of the Kitáb-i-Ígán
Theology Revolutionized
2: The Critique of Spiritual Reason
Week 6: July 19th
1: True Power and Sovereignty
2: The Renewal of Theology: Manifestation and Progression
Week 7: July 26th
1: The Promise Fulfilled
Introduction
Mirzá Mihdíy-i-Rashti's Argument
Bahá'u'lláh's Foundational Discourse
2: Bahá'u'llah's Substantive (up to page 250)
Week 8: August 2nd
1: Bahá'u'llah's Substantive
The New World Order
Date and Constitutive Principles
The Centrality of the Kitab-i-Agdas
2: The Binding Character of the Laws
The Date of the Revelation of the Kitab-i-Agdas
Week 9: August 9th
1: The Order of the Kitáb-i-Agdas (292 - 310)
2: The Order of the Kitáb-i-Agdas(310-21)
From the Order of the Book to the New Order
Week 10: August 16th
1: Verses 1 through 34
2: Verses 35 through 42
Verses 43 through 97
Verses 98 through 116
Week 11: August 23rd
1: Verses 117 through 190
The Order of the Book and the Order of Bahá'u'lláh
2: Philosophical Premises of the New World Order (372 - 380)
Week 12: August 30th
1: Philosophical Premises of the New World Order (380-390)
Premises of the Concept of New World Order
2: Beyond Realism and Nominalism
Chapter 10: Spirit, History, and Order
The King as the Shadow of God (411-422)
Week 13: September 6th
1: The King as the Shadow of God (422-432)
Democratic Principle in the Early Writings of Bahá'u'lláh
From Reason to Wisdom
2: Beyond Theocratism and Secularism
Notes