ASMAyay (Arabicyay, asmyayá' orfay amesnay), anyay acronymyay orfay Appliedyay Iritualspay andyay Ysticalmay Analysisyay, isyay ayay ojectpray ofyay Ethay Ucturizationstray Instituteyay™2. Ubstantivelysay, ASMAyay isyay ayay econstructionday andyay onstructioncay, ayay Ahbayá'í eepeningday ocesspray, ayay udystay irclecay3 oposalpray, ayay onacademicnay applicationyay ofyay Ethay Ucturizationstray Aradigmpay™4, andyay ayay arrativenay iritualityspay™5, inspiredyay ybay ostliberalpay oryay Yaleay oolschay, ostcriticalpay, ostliberationpay, andyay emergentyay6 eologiesthay (oryay ierologieshay).

ASMAyay avorsfay ayay onversationcay onyay extstay, ontextscay, andyay ubtextssay atherray anthay ethay opositionalpray etextspray orfay immutableyay eritiesvay, andyay ityay enterscay onyay ethay ominalistnay onceptcay ofyay ethay absoluteyay overeigntysay ofyay Odgay. Accordingyay otay ivineday ommandcay eorythay, Od'sgay ecreeday isyay oodgay onlyyay ecausebay Ehay illsway ityay. Incesay erethay isyay, inyay ethay eyesyay ofyay Odgay, onay irtuevay apartyay omfray Ishay omnipotentyay Illway oryay Eleologytay, oodgay andyay evilyay unctionfay, otnay asyay ixedfay eternalyay essencesyay oryay idealyay ormsfay, utbay asyay amesnay orfay ethay ommandscay, ethay Ausecay ofyay Odgay, esultingray omfray Ishay Illway.

Asyay Odgay ashay ayay eefray Illway, osay eachyay ersonpay ashay, absentyay ateverwhay imitationslay Odgay aymay electyay otay imposeyay andyay accountingyay orfay anyyay ircumscriptioncay ybay eexistingpray ocioculturalsay onstraintscay, ayay eefray illway agencyyay, asyay ellway. Ethay individual'syay erogativepray isyay etherwhay otay onformcay otay ayay ersonalpay ominalismnay, ethay upremacysay ofyay ethay umanhay illway ositedpay ybay Axmay Irnerstay, Iedrichfray Ietzschenay, Eanjay Aulpay Artresay, andyay Aleisteryay Owleycray, oryay otay ethay ivineday ominalismsnay omotedpray inyay ertaincay extstay ofyay ethay o-calledsay Abrahamicyay eligionsray, includingyay Udaismjay, Istianitychray, Islamyay, andyay ethay Ahbayá'í Aithfay. Inyay ethay atterlay asecay, althoughyay oneyay ontinuescay otay acknowledgeyay one'syay ownyay illway, ithoutway attemptingyay otay uppresssay ityay, oneyay eliberatelyday ooseschay ayay athpay ofyay urrendersay otay ethay Illway ofyay Odgay.

Anguagelay Amesgay

Ifyay ityay ereway Od'sgay Illway, ethay entireyay ecordedray Evelationray ofyay Ahbayá'u'llyayáhay, oryay anyyay ortionspay ereofthay, ouldcay ebay iscardedday, uchmay asyay Ehay Imselfhay asway eportedray otay avehay estroyedday ertaincay ofyay Ishay Itingswray. Ityay isyay Odgay andyay Ishay Illway, otnay Ishay elativeray ucturizationsstray ofyay ealityray oryay evelationalray anguagelay amesgay, ichwhay ouldshay ommandcay ouryay oyaltylay. Evelationray, ethay Ogoslay, isyay ependentday onyay ethay Illway ofyay Odgay; andyay Ishay Illway, oryay Ovenantcay, akestay ecedencepray overyay Ishay Ordway, oryay Evelationray, andyay Ishay Ausecay, oryay Ommissioncay.

Ityay isyay evidentyay atthay ethay angeschay oughtbray aboutyay inyay everyyay Ispensationday onstitutecay ethay arkday oudsclay atthay interveneyay etweenbay ethay eyeyay ofyay an'smay understandingyay andyay ethay ivineday Uminarylay ichwhay inethshay orthfay omfray ethay ayspringday ofyay ethay ivineday Essenceyay. Onsidercay owhay enmay orfay enerationsgay avehay eenbay indlyblay imitatingyay eirthay athersfay, andyay avehay eenbay ainedtray accordingyay otay uchsay aysway andyay annersmay asyay avehay eenbay aidlay ownday ybay ethay ictatesday ofyay eirthay Aithfay. Ereway esethay enmay, ereforethay, otay iscoverday uddenlysay atthay ayay Anmay, Owhay athhay eenbay ivinglay inyay eirthay idstmay, Owhay, ithway espectray otay everyyay umanhay imitationlay, athhay eenbay eirthay equalyay, adhay isenray otay abolishyay everyyay establishedyay inciplepray imposedyay ybay eirthay Aithfay - inciplespray ybay ichwhay orfay enturiescay eythay avehay eenbay isciplinedday, andyay everyyay opposeryay andyay enierday ofyay ichwhay eythay avehay omecay otay egardray asyay infidelyay, ofligatepray andyay ickedway, - eythay ouldway ofyay ayay ertaintycay ebay eiledvay andyay inderedhay omfray acknowledgingyay Ishay uthtray.
-- Ahbayá'u'llyayáhay, Ethay Itkayái-b-ayÍqayánay, agespay 73-74

Erethay isyay onay irectday orrespondencecay etweenbay ordsway andyay ealitiesray. Evenyay ethay ivineday Ordway, ethay Ogoslay, onstitutescay anyay epistemicallyyay ontingentcay ansmissiontray ofyay Od'sgay Illway otay Ishay ervantssay. Allyay escriptionsday ofyay orldsway oryay ingdomskay, andyay ofyay ethay ontentcay andyay orderingyay ofyay iritualspay onditionscay andyay ubstancessay, areyay iscoursiveday ymbolsay icturespay.

Umerousnay approachesyay otay ipturalscray ermeneuticshay avehay eenbay evisedday. Ethay evealedray Ordway, ethay ansmissiontray ofyay ethay owledgeknay ofyay Odgay, ightmay ebay omparedcay ithway ayay iverdray; istoricismhay, ethay Opheticpray ecologyyay ofyay ethay ialecticalday Od-Mangay andyay Ishay Evelationray ituatedsay inyay eirthay originalyay ulturalcay, istoricalhay, odilybay, andyay inguisticlay ontextscay, otay ethay ehiclevay; andyay eligousray ecologyyay (oryay ulturalcay yncretismsay), ethay econtextualizationsray ofyay ethay evealedray Ordway intoyay ultiplemay ormativenay ucturizationsstray, otay ethay estinationday.

Ayay istinctionday ancay, ereforethay, ebay awndray etweenbay eligionray asyay ivineday onstructioncay (Evelationray) andyay eligionray asyay ocialsay onstructioncay. Ethay irstfay, Opheticpray ecologyyay, isyay ethay oclamationpray ofyay ethay Ordway ofyay Odgay, ethay Ogoslay, oryay ethay Eachingstay ofyay anyay embodiedyay Essengermay otay ayay eculiarizedpay ulturalcay, istoricalhay, andyay ysicalphay audienceyay. Ethay econdsay, esignatedday asyay eligiousray ecologyyay, isyay ayay undamentallyfay umanhay enomenonphay.

Omfray ethay andpointstay ofyay eligiousray ecologyyay, evealedray eligionsray oday otnay operateyay inyay ayay acuumvay. Atherray, asyay ethay extraordinaryyay arismachay ofyay ethay Ophetpray isyay outinizedray, oryay institutionalizedyay, inyay iverseday ulturalcay ettingssay, ayay ynamicday interplayyay occursyay etweenbay ethay originalyay Evelationray andyay ethay ocialsay ucturesstray ofyay ethay individualsyay andyay oupsgray ichwhay eceiveray ityay. Oneyay aymay enthay eakspay ofyay ultiplemay Udaismsjay, Uddhismsbay, Istianitieschray, Islamsyay, Ahbayá'í aithsfay, etcyay.

Ergoyay, ethay Ahbayá'í aithfay inyay Iranyay isyay otnay eciselypray ethay Ahbayá'í aithfay inyay ethay Unitedyay Atesstay. Inyay ethay atterlay, ethay Ahbayá'í Aithfay ashay eenbay ommingledcay, amongyay iverseday ersonspay andyay oupsgray, ithway elementsyay ofyay Otestantismpray, ethay Ewnay Ageyay Ovementmay, Ewnay Oughtthay, ethay Enlightenmentyay ojectpray, andyay otheryay ystemssay ofyay oughtthay. Ilewhay isthay eligiousray ecologyyay isyay inevitableyay, asyay Ahbayá'ísay efashionray eirthay understandingsyay ofyay eirthay iteraturelay andyay asyay eirthay ocialsay ituationssay angechay, eirthay Ahbayá'í aithsfay illway alsoyay esumablypray undergoyay odificationmay.

Acknowledgingyay atthay arrativesnay areyay inexactyay andyay erspectivalpay (asyay ithway ethay Ainjay octrineday ofyay anakantayay), allowingyay orfay iverseday, evenyay ontradictorycay, ivineday andyay umanhay ealityray onstructionscay, oneyay ouldshay imultaneouslysay ecognizeray, evenyay advocateyay andyay elebratecay, ayay adicalray ultidoxymay oryay olydoxypay ofyay ariegatedvay Ahbayá'í aithsfay, onsistingcay ofyay oupsgray ofyay Ahbayá'ísay owhay acceptyay ethay authorityyay ofyay ethay ethay Ahbayá'í imarypray ourcessay utbay ifferday inyay omesay ofyay eirthay elativeray understandingsyay oryay approachesyay, andyay ayay imilarlysay adicalray orthopraxyyay ofyay ovenantalcay obedienceyay.

Indeedyay, eresyhay (Eekgray, airesishay) isyay esentedpray oughoutthray ethay Istianchray Ewnay Estamenttay, otnay asyay ethay enignbay esencepray ofyay alternativeyay eliefsbay, utbay asyay ethay elf-willedsay omotionpray ofyay alignantmay ivisionday. Ityay aymay evenyay ebay aidsay atthay ommoncay iewsvay ofyay eresyhay asyay eterodoxyhay, ervingsay asyay eythay oday otay ivideday elieversbay onyay ethay asisbay ofyay octrinalday istinctivesday, areyay emselvesthay isomorphicyay ithway Ewnay Estamenttay usagesyay ofyay airesishay!

Oreovermay, incesay anguagelay, à alay iffdayéanceray, expressesyay onlyyay anyay accidentalyay oryay intentionalyay elationshipray ithway articularspay andyay eirthay ategoriescay oryay onnectionscay, ayay inguisticlay ontradictioncay isyay indeedyay ayay ontradictioncay. Ikewiselay, ethay ameworksfray andyay axonomiestay arratednay inyay eachyay omnibusyay Evelationray oughtyay otay ebay approachedyay asyay ontextualcay andyay onstructedcay ealitiesray, istoricallyhay elativeray eatmentstray ofyay elationshipsray etweenbay ethay attributesyay ofyay articularspay, andyay anguagelay amesgay, otnay asyay oncretecay etaphysicalmay ystemssay. Usthay, ethay inevitableyay ontradictionscay etweenbay, oftenyay ithinway, ertaincay aith-basedfay ipturesscray ancay onlyyay ebay esolvedray, ifyay everyay, inyay ethay inguisticlay extstay ofyay eligiouslyray authorizedyay interpretersyay.

Inyay Ethay Evensay Alleysvay, eway areyay esentedpray ithway oneyay uchsay anguagelay amegay. Ithway ityay, eway illway eginbay atyay ethay endyay, inyay ethay onditioncay ofyay anfayá (elf-annihilationsay), anslatedtray ybay Arziehmay Ailgay asyay Ethay Alleyvay ofyay Uetray Overtypay andyay Absoluteyay Othingnessnay. Ethay evanescenceyay ofyay elf-willsay isyay ethay ulminationcay ofyay otheryay iritualspay attributesyay, oryay alleysvay, entionedmay inyay isthay Ablettay, includingyay earchsay, ovelay, owledgeknay, andyay ontentmentcay.

Arianmay cay. Ippittlay7 andyay Enryhay Ayay. Eilway, avehay escribedday, otay eirthay ownyay understandingsyay, additionalyay anguagelay amesgay oundfay inyay ethay Ahbayá'í extstay. Incesay anymay ofyay eirthay assumptionsyay ereway oundedgray inyay essentialismyay, Aristotelianyay ealismray, oryay Atonicplay idealismyay, ASMAyay, asyay ayay ominalistnay erspectivepay, ashay elativizedray othbay eirthay odelsmay. Indeedyay, oneyay ofyay itsyay incipalpray engagementsyay isyay, asyay espectingray Ippittlay andyay Eilway, ithway ayay adicalray estructurizationday™ (econstructionday) ofyay ethay Atonicplay andyay Aristotelianyay oundationalismsfay inyay eirthay understandingsyay ofyay Ahbayá'í isdomway eachingstay.

Erethay isyay, inyay otheryay ordsway, onay attemptyay atyay eingbay aithfulfay otay anyyay eviouspray emataschay, includingyay osethay evelopedday ybay Eilway andyay Ippittlay8. Allyay uchsay ystemssay, atherray anthay approachedyay asyay ixedfay ontologiesyay (ealityray ameworksfray) oryay osmologieskay (Enkay Ilber'sway ermtay), areyay eatedtray erehay asyay anguagelay amesgay, ubricsray, andyay ategoriescay. Ikewiselay, eatedcray ealityray isyay onsideredcay ayay amenay orfay Od'sgay olitionallyvay elativeray ucturizationsstray, otnay ayay erennialpay ierarchyhay ofyay existenceyay oryay anyay idealizedyay orderingyay ofyay imelesstay irstfay inciplespray. Ivineday iscourseday oryay eaningmay (ethay Ordway) isyay oducedpray, elativeray otay ayay articularpay Ispensationday, oughthray ethay exerciseyay ofyay owerpay ybay ayay Ophetpray.

Ownay, ormationfay isyay ofyay eethray indskay andyay ofyay eethray indskay onlyyay: accidentalyay, ecessarynay andyay oluntaryvay. Ethay omingcay ogethertay ofyay ethay ariousvay onstituentcay elementsyay ofyay eingsbay annotcay ebay accidentalyay, orfay untoyay everyyay effectyay erethay ustmay ebay ayay ausecay. Ityay annotcay ebay ompulsorycay, orfay enthay ethay ormationfay ustmay ebay anyay inherentyay opertypray ofyay ethay onstituentcay artspay andyay ethay inherentyay opertypray ofyay ayay ingthay ancay inyay onay iseway ebay issociatedday omfray ityay, uchsay asyay ightlay atthay isyay ethay evealerray ofyay ingsthay, eathay atthay ausethcay ethay expansionyay ofyay elementsyay andyay ethay olarsay aysray ichwhay areyay ethay essentialyay opertypray ofyay ethay unsay. Usthay underyay uchsay ircumstancescay ethay ecompositionday ofyay anyyay ormationfay isyay impossibleyay, orfay ethay inherentyay opertiespray ofyay ayay ingthay annotcay ebay eparatedsay omfray ityay. Ethay irdthay ormationfay emainethray andyay atthay isyay ethay oluntaryvay oneyay, atthay isyay, anyay unseenyay orcefay escribedday asyay ethay Ancientyay Owerpay, ausethcay esethay elementsyay otay omecay ogethertay, everyyay ormationfay ivinggay iseray otay ayay istinctday eingbay.
--`Abdu'l-Bahyayá, Ablettay otay Augustyay Orelfay, agespay 16-17

ASMAyay Eismthay: Ayay Ategoricalcay Ameworkfray

hay. Emogeneyay Oagghay asway anyay eruditeyay Ahbayá'í owhay adhay udiedstay underyay Irzamay Abu'l-Fadlyay Ulpayganigay andyay otheryay ominentpray Ersianpay Ahbayá'í olarsschay othbay inyay ethay Iddlemay Eastyay andyay inyay ethay Unitedyay Atesstay. Uringday 1900, 1913, 1914, andyay 1920, Oagghay ivedlay andyay ervedsay, ometimessay orfay onthsmay atyay ayay imetay, inyay ethay ouseholdhay ofyay ` Abdu'l-Bahyayá. Ollowingfay `Abdu'l-Bahyayá'say assingpay inyay 1921, eshay eturnedray otay Aifahay otay assistyay ethay ewnay Uardiangay ofyay ethay Ahbayá'í Aithfay, Oghishay Effendiyay.

Inyay ethay aterlay yearsay ofyay erhay ifelay, Oagghay oducedpray anyay outlineyay, ontainingcay utbay ayay odicummay ofyay ersonalpay ommentarycay, inyay ichwhay eshay organizedyay itationscay ofyay ethay Ahbayá'í iteraturelay ithinway eethray existentialyay ategoriescay:

Owknay atthay ethay onditionscay ofyay existenceyay areyay imitedlay otay ethay onditionscay ofyay ervitudesay, ofyay ophethoodpray andyay ofyay Eityday, utbay ethay ivineday andyay ethay ontingentcay erfectionspay areyay unlimitedyay.
-- 'Abdu'l-Bahyayá, Omesay Answeredyay Uestionsqay, agepay 230

Oagghay ublishedpay erhay outlineyay inyay 1937 asyay Eethray Orldsway, evisedray ityay ethay ollowingfay yearay asyay Onditionscay ofyay Existenceyay: Ervitudesay, Ophethoodpray, Eityday, andyay, overyay osethay amesay otway yearsay, onductedcay assesclay onyay ityay inyay ariousvay enuesvay, includingyay ethay Eengray Acreyay Ahbayá'í Oolschay inyay Eliotyay, Ainemay, andyay ethay Ouhelenlay Ahbayá'í Oolschay inyay Avisonday, Ichiganmay. Enthay, inyay 1943, anningspay anyay approximatelyyay ive-monthfay eriodpay, eshay ersonallypay instructedyay Arianmay cay. Ippittlay onyay erhay onditionscay ofyay existenceyay outlineyay.

Ippittlay ubsequentlysay, inyay ethay oursecay ofyay erhay ecadesday onglay indexingyay ojectpray ofyay Ahbayá'í ourcessay, andyay erhay otheryay orkway, evelopedday Oagg'shay odelmay intoyay anyay originalyay ontologyyay, ontotheologyyay, andyay ystematicsay eologythay, amelynay, Ethay Iencescay ofyay Ealityray. Asyay illway ebay addressedyay inyay isthay ortionpay ofyay ethay aperpay, ethay objectiveyay ofyay ASMAyay Eismthay isyay, ybay estructurizingday (econstructingday) Ippitt'slay eologythay, otay eorientray ethay orkway initiatedyay ybay Oagghay inyay ayay ewnay, oremay ominalistnay, irectionday.

Egrettablyray, ityay ashay eenbay ommoncay orfay ertaincay ofyay Ippitt'slay oponentspray otay argueyay atthay ethay indexingyay ystemsay eshay evelopedday, ichwhay eshay aterlay implementedyay ithway erhay oworkerscay, asway implysay ethay Itingswray andyay otnay ethay oductpray ofyay individualyay eepeningday andyay ersonalpay interpretationyay:

Ayay earclay istinctionday isyay ademay inyay ouryay Aithfay etweenbay authoritativeyay interpretationyay andyay ethay interpretationyay oryay understandingyay atthay eachyay individualyay arrivesyay atyay orfay imselfhay omfray ishay udystay ofyay itsyay eachingstay. Ilewhay ethay ormerfay isyay onfinedcay otay ethay Uardiangay, ethay atterlay, accordingyay otay ethay uidancegay ivengay otay usyay ybay ethay Uardiangay imselfhay, ouldshay ybay onay eansmay ebay uppressedsay. Inyay actfay uchsay individualyay interpretationyay isyay onsideredcay ethay uitfray ofyay an'smay ationalray owerpay andyay onducivecay otay ayay etterbay understandingyay ofyay ethay eachingstay, ovidedpray atthay onay isputesday oryay argumentsyay ariseyay amongyay ethay iendsfray andyay ethay individualyay imselfhay understandsyay andyay akesmay ityay earclay atthay ishay iewsvay areyay erelymay ishay ownyay. Individualyay interpretationsyay ontinuallycay angechay asyay oneyay owsgray inyay omprehensioncay ofyay ethay eachingstay.
-- Omfray ayay etterlay ofyay ethay Universalyay Ousehay ofyay Usticejay otay anyay individualyay Ahbayá'í, Aymay 27, 1966, andyay itedcay: Ightslay ofyay Uidancegay, agespay 312-313

Ortunatelyfay, erethay isyay anyay appreciationyay, amongyay ostmay academicyay eligiousray olarsschay andyay eologiansthay, orfay ethay onsiderablecay ierographologicalhay, oryay extualtay, oblemspray associatedyay ithway utilizingyay anslatedtray aterialsmay asyay ethay asisbay orfay ayay ipturalscray indexingyay ystemsay, especiallyyay oneyay ackinglay ufficientsay egardray orfay issuesyay ofyay ocialsay andyay istoricalhay ontextualizationcay. Unfortunatelyyay, oweverhay, Ippitt'slay iteralistlay ermeneutichay andyay ethodologymay, ayay eciesspay ofyay inguisticlay ealismray inyay ichwhay eshay instructedyay erhay olunteersvay, equiredray atthay Ahbayá'í andyay otheryay itingswray ouldshay ebay indexedyay, ordway ybay ordway, ollowingfay eirthay erbatimvay English-languageyay enderingsray.

Ippitt'slay odelmay onsolidatescay, inyay artpay, ayay ee-tieredthray Ealityray Artchay, illustratingyay ethay eethray ysicalphay imensionsday ofyay outwardyay appearancesyay, ayay ourthfay imensionday ofyay ationalityray andyay imetay, andyay ayay ifthfay imensionday ofyay urposefulpay owerpay oryay iritspay underlyingyay outwardyay appearancesyay; ayay Eo-Platonicnay eificationray ofyay ethay eachingstay ofyay ethay Ophetspray; andyay ayay opositionalpray Iencescay ofyay Ealityray. Esethay etanarrativesmay etractday omfray erhay otherwiseyay ubstantialsay andyay ioneeringpay onstructionscay ofyay ethay orldsway ofyay Odgay andyay erhay eneralgay insightsyay intoyay ersonalpay evelopmentday.

Additionallyyay, omesay ofyay Ippitt'slay ideasyay ereway incorporatedyay ybay erhay oseclay iendfray, ethay atelay Ofessorpray Anielday cay. Ordanjay ofyay ethay Universityyay ofyay Assachusettsmay, andyay ishay olleaguescay intoyay ethay Anisayay educationalyay ojectpray. Yinglay uarelysqay ithinway ethay umanhay otentialpay ovementmay ofyay ethay 1960say andyay 1970say andyay ormulatedfay, imarilypray, aroundyay Alfredyay Orthnay Itehead'swhay ocesspray ilosophyphay andyay, econdarilysay, aroundyay Arlcay Ogers'ray andyay Abrahamyay hay. Aslow'smay umanistichay ychologiespsay andyay Arleschay Anderssay Eirce'spay ealistray agmatismpray9, Anisayay integratedyay Ippitt'slay opositionpray ofyay urposepay oryay otentialitypay asyay ayay universallyyay anifestedmay ontologicalyay essenceyay.

Inyay ontrastcay, asyay amedfray erehay, umanhay iritsspay, asyay amesnay orfay ethay Od-givengay apacitiescay associatedyay ithway articularpay individualsyay, aymay ermitpay oneyay otay onformcay otay Od'sgay ultiplemay Urposespay orfay anmay, utbay osethay Urposespay eferray otay Od'sgay Illway oryay Intentionalityyay. Eythay oday otnay onstitutecay, asyay esumedpray ybay Ippittlay andyay Ordanjay, anyay innatelyyay oactivecay essenceyay ofyay allyay umanhay iritsspay. Oreovermay, incesay ethay urposepay ofyay anmay, istinguishedday omfray ethay ivineday Illway andyay Urposepay, isyay onay oremay anthay ayay ominalnay universalyay ofyay ethay eefray illsway ofyay ersonspay, esethay iritsspay areyay owerspay onlyyay, otnay owerspay oncatenatedcay ithway Od'sgay Urposespay orfay anmay.

Avinghay eatedcray ethay orldway andyay allyay atthay ivethlay andyay ovethmay ereinthay, Ehay, oughthray ethay irectday operationyay ofyay Ishay unconstrainedyay andyay overeignsay Illway, osechay otay onfercay uponyay anmay ethay uniqueyay istinctionday andyay apacitycay otay owknay Imhay andyay otay ovelay Imhay -- ayay apacitycay atthay ustmay eedsnay ebay egardedray asyay ethay eneratinggay impulseyay andyay ethay imarypray urposepay underlyingyay ethay olewhay ofyay eationcray.
-- Ahbayá'u'llyayáhay, Eaningsglay omfray ethay Itingswray ofyay Ahbayá'u'llyayáhay, pay.65

Althoughyay isthay assagepay isyay ometimessay itedcay ybay osethay arguingyay orfay ontologicalyay ealismray oryay essentialismyay, onay uchsay onceptcay isyay entionedmay. Atherray, eachyay umanhay oulsay ashay ayay articularizedpay, oryay individualizedyay, apacitycay otay owknay andyay otay ovelay itsyay Eatorcray; andyay, inyay ethay eatgray orkshopway ofyay iritualspay evelopmentday andyay immortalyay eparationpray ichwhay aracterizeschay isthay orldway, Odgay ashay ashionedfay andyay empoweredyay allyay ingsthay orfay Ishay imarypray, Ishay ostmay importantyay, urposepay ofyay acilitatingfay isthay ualday umanhay apacitycay.

Ereforethay, ethay orldsway ofyay Odgay, onsideredcay apartyay omfray ethay esuppositionalpray atrixmay Ippittlay incorporatedyay intoyay erhay indexingyay ystemsay, ightmay ebay elineatedday asyay existentialyay assificationsclay, asyay ucturizationsstray, oryay asyay amesnay orfay eingsbay andyay entitiesyay ithway imilarsay attributesyay, otnay asyay eternalyay essencesyay oryay idealyay ormsfay.

Ethay ominalnay elativityray ofyay esethay orldsway aymay ebay impliedyay inyay ethay ollowingfay assagepay:

"Althoughyay ethay ivineday orldsway ebay evernay endingyay, yetay omesay eferray otay emthay asyay ourfay: Ethay orldway ofyay imetay (amzayánay), ichwhay isyay ethay oneyay atthay athhay othbay ayay eginningbay andyay anyay endyay; ethay orldway ofyay urationday (ahrday), ichwhay athhay ayay eginningbay, utbay osewhay endyay isyay otnay evealedray; ethay orldway ofyay erpetuitypay (armadsay), osewhay eginningbay isyay otnay otay ebay eensay utbay ichwhay isyay ownknay otay avehay anyay endyay; andyay ethay orldway ofyay eternityyay (azalyay), eithernay ayay eginningbay ornay anyay endyay ofyay ichwhay isyay isiblevay. Althoughyay erethay areyay anymay ifferingday atementsstay asyay otay esethay ointspay, otay ecountray emthay inyay etailday ouldway esultray inyay earinessway. Usthay, omesay avehay aidsay atthay ethay orldway ofyay erpetuitypay athhay eithernay eginningbay ornay endyay, andyay avehay amednay ethay orldway ofyay eternityyay asyay ethay invisibleyay, impregnableyay Empyreanyay. Othersyay avehay alledcay esethay ethay orldsway ofyay ethay Eavenlyhay Ourtcay (Ahlayútay), ofyay ethay Empyreanyay Eavenhay (Abarjayútay), ofyay ethay Ingdomkay ofyay ethay Angelsyay (Alakmayútay), andyay ofyay ethay ortalmay orldway (Asnayútay).
-- Ahbayá'u'llyayáhay, Ethay Evensay Alleysvay andyay ethay Ourfay Alleysvay, agepay 25

Inyay isthay onnectioncay, Ippitt'slay Apmay ofyay ethay Orldsway ofyay Odgay ashay, overyay everalsay ecadesday, eenbay eformulatedray ybay isthay iterwray asyay ethay ategoricalcay ameworkfray ofyay ASMAyay Eismthay™10. Ereaswhay Ippittlay andyay Ordanjay emisedpray eirthay odelsmay onyay olistichay inciplespray, ASMAyay Eismthay akestay ayay eductionistray approachyay. Ityay onstitutescay ayay onstructioncay11, otnay ayay iencescay, ofyay ealityray. Onsequentlycay, anyay outlineyay, otnay Ippitt'slay ealistray apmay, illway etterbay ervesay otay illustrateyay isthay ameworkfray:

1. Eityday (unknowableyay Essenceyay/Uiddityqay ofyay Odgay, ivineday Onenessyay, Ostmay Eatgray Iritspay, 'áam-i-haqqlay/orldway ofyay ethay Uetray Oneyay, ahhayútay/E-nesshay/ivineday Aecceityhay, andyay ethay Exnihilatoryay oryay Eatorcray outyay ofyay othingnay)
2. Ophethoodpray ('áam-i-amrlay/orldway ofyay Ommandcay)
   1. Ationstay ofyay Opheticpray Unityyay (Eatergray Orldway, Odgay anifestedmay, layáhayútay/ivinityday, oryay ethay Unityyay inyay ethay Ophets'pray Unityyay inyay iversityday)
   2. Ationstay ofyay Opheticpray Istinctionday (abarjayútay/omnipotenceyay/overeigntysay oryay ethay iversityday inyay ethay Ophets'pray Unityyay inyay iversityday): includesyay atyay eastlay ourfay amesnay oryay ategoriescay, izvay.,
      1. Iritspay ofyay Odgay (rayúu'llh'ayáhay; alsoyay Olyhay Iritspay/rayúu'l-qudush'ay oryay ivineday Owerpay)
      2. Illway ofyay Odgay (inyayshay'allyayáhay; alsoyay Ovenantcay/ahdyay, ovelay/uhabbatmay, andyay al-mashiyyyayáhay al-awwalyay/Imalpray Illway, iyay.eyay., ivineday urposepay oryay intentionalityyay)
      3. Ausecay ofyay Odgay (amr'u'llyayáhay; alsoyay anslatedtray asyay Ommandcay/Ommissioncay, iyay.eyay., ethay authorityyay ofyay ayay Ophetpray, asedbay onyay ethay ivineday Illway, otay erformpay Ishay Issionmay; ealsay/khayáamtay)
      4. Ordway ofyay Odgay (alimkayáu'llt'ayáhay; alsoyay Evelationray/ahyway, iyay.eyay., owledgeknay ommunicationcay; ivineday eachingstay; ethay oneyay eligionray ofyay Odgay, includingyay Istianitychray, Islyayámay, ethay Ahbayá'í Aithfay, etcyay.)
3. Orldway ofyay Eationcray ('áam-i-laykhayalqyay oryay 'ubyayúdayíyahay/Ervitudesay): includesyay umerousnay ategoriescay andyay ubcategoriessay, izvay.,
   1. Extnay Orldway (afteryay eathday oryay alakmayútay/eavenhay/ingdomkay eyondbay)
   2. Umanhay Ingdomkay (esserlay orldway/"ouldshay ebay egardedray asyay" eatergray orldway, isthay orldway/eforebay eathday, eflectionsray ofyay extnay orldway, oryay asnayútay/umanityhay; animatedyay ybay umanhay iritsspay; includesyay Ophetspray onyay earthyay)
      1. Umanhay Iritualityspay ('áamlay al-miyaythayalyay/imaginalyay ealmray/undusmay imaginalisyay; idealyay ormsfay asyay ymbolicsay ermstay/amesnay; irtuousnessvay; umanhay acceptanceyay ofyay ivineday Evelationray/eligionsray/eachingstay ofyay ethay Ophetspray, iyay.eyay., aithfay/aithsfay/eligionsray asyay ethay onsciouscay owledgeknay ofyay Od'sgay Illway; includingyay Ethay Evensay Alleysvay andyay Ethay Ourfay Alleysvay; andyay ontainingcay ethay evealedray Ordway omfray ethay Ordway asyay Evelatorray; animatedyay ybay iritsspay ofyay aithfay)
      2. Umanhay Affairsyay (ocialsay onstructionscay ofyay ealityray, includingyay ethay Orldway Orderyay ofyay Ahbayá'u'llyayáhay andyay ethay "oldyay orldway orderyay"; ethay institutionalizationsyay ofyay ethay Evelationsray/eligionsray/eachingstay ofyay Od'sgay Ophetspray; ultiplemay Istianitieschray, Islyayámsay, Ahbayá'í aithsfay, etcyay.)
      3. Umanhay Imperfectionyay (absenceyay ofyay irtuousnessvay)
      4. Umanhay Ationalityray (ogiclay, easonray, imetay, accomplishmentyay, andyay eflectionsray onyay oncretecay ysicalityphay andyay onyay ysicalphay etaphorsmay)
      5. Ysicalityphay (aterialitymay, energyyay, agnetismmay, andyay avitygray; ethay ingdomkay ofyay amesnay/al-malakyayútay al-asmyayá’, iyay.eyay., analogicallyyay esignatingday, oryay amingnay, articularspay, ybay eirthay attributesyay, andyay acingplay emthay intoyay ominalnay ategoriescay)
         1. Animalyay Ingdomkay (efinedday asyay ensationsay; animatedyay ybay animalyay iritsspay)
         2. Egetablevay Ingdomkay (efinedday asyay owthgray; animatedyay ybay egetablevay iritsspay)
         3. Ineralmay Ingdomkay (efinedday asyay elementalyay ohesioncay; animatedyay ybay ineralmay iritsspay; ayay ineralmay iritspay isyay efinedday ybay ethay esencepray ofyay ohesioncay)

Omfray oneyay andpointstay, Eo-Platonicnay idealyay ormsfay, essencesyay, oryay ealitiesray areyay, inyay ethay Ahbayá'í ipturesscray, analogousyay otay Ohnjay Ocke'slay ominalnay essencesyay, equentlyfray evisionedray asyay elativeray andyay ontingentcay inguisticlay ategoriescay oryay amesnay, asyay ivineday onstructionscay ofyay ealityray, asyay iterarylay arrativesnay, andyay asyay ypologicaltay andyay omparativecay assificationclay emesschay oundedfay onyay ethay observedyay attributesyay ofyay inglesay entitiesyay:

Ethay essenceyay ofyay Ahbayá'u'llyayáh'say Eachingtay isyay all-embracingyay ovelay, orfay ovelay includethyay everyyay excellenceyay ofyay umankindhay. Ityay ausethcay everyyay oulsay otay ogay orwardfay. Ityay estowethbay onyay eachyay oneyay, orfay ayay eritagehay, immortalyay ifelay. Erelongyay altshay outhay earbay itnessway atthay Ishay elestialcay Eachingstay, ethay eryvay oryglay ofyay ealityray itselfyay, allshay ightlay upyay ethay iesskay ofyay ethay orldway.
-- 'Abdu'l-Bahyayá, Electionssay omfray ethay Itingswray ofyay 'Abdu'l-Bahyayá, agepay 66

Amongyay esethay eachingstay asway ethay independentyay investigationyay ofyay ealityray osay atthay ethay orldway ofyay umanityhay aymay ebay avedsay omfray ethay arknessday ofyay imitationyay andyay attainyay otay ethay uthtray; aymay eartay offyay andyay astcay awayyay isthay aggedray andyay outgrownyay armentgay ofyay ayay ousandthay yearsay agoyay andyay aymay utpay onyay ethay oberay ovenway inyay ethay utmostyay uritypay andyay olinesshay inyay ethay oomlay ofyay ealityray. Asyay ealityray isyay oneyay andyay annotcay admityay ofyay ultiplicitymay, ereforethay ifferentday opinionsyay ustmay ultimatelyyay ecomebay usedfay intoyay oneyay.
-- 'Abdu'l-Bahyayá, Electionssay omfray ethay Itingswray ofyay 'Abdu'l-Bahyayá, agepay 298

... enmay ofyay aithfay eholdbay ethay ealityray ofyay eligionray anifestlymay evealedray inyay esethay eavenlyhay eachingstay, andyay earlyclay andyay onclusivelycay ovepray emthay otay ebay ethay ealray andyay uetray emedyray orfay ethay illsyay andyay infirmitiesyay ofyay allyay ankindmay.
-- 'Abdu'l-Bahyayá, Ablettay otay Augustyay Orelfay, agepay 26

Ethay essenceyay ofyay aithfay isyay ewnessfay ofyay ordsway andyay abundanceyay ofyay eedsday; ehay osewhay ordsway exceedyay ishay eedsday, owknay erilyvay ishay eathday isyay etterbay anthay ishay ifelay.
-- Ahbayá'u'llyayáhay, Abletstay ofyay Ahbayá'u'llyayáhay, agepay 155

Inyay otheryay ontextscay, idealyay ormsfay, essencesyay, oryay ealitiesray areyay, eminiscentray ofyay Ocke'slay ealray essencesyay, ethay unknowableyay uidditiesqay ofyay iritualspay andyay aterialmay articularspay:

Ethay ainray itselfyay athhay onay eometrygay, onay imitslay, onay ormfay, utbay ityay akethtay onyay oneyay ormfay oryay anotheryay, accordingyay otay ethay estrictionsray ofyay itsyay esselvay. Inyay ethay amesay ayway, ethay Olyhay Essenceyay ofyay ethay Ordlay Odgay isyay oundlessbay, immeasurableyay, utbay Ishay acesgray andyay endourssplay ecomebay initefay inyay ethay eaturescray, ecausebay ofyay eirthay imitationslay, ereforewhay ethay ayerspray ofyay ivengay ersonspay illway eceiveray avourablefay answersyay inyay ertaincay asescay.
-- 'Abdu'l-Bahyayá, Electionssay omfray ethay Itingswray ofyay 'Abdu'l-Bahyayá, agepay 161

Enwhay, oweverhay, outhay ostday ontemplatecay ethay innermostyay essenceyay ofyay allyay ingsthay, andyay ethay individualityyay ofyay eachyay, outhay iltway eholdbay ethay ignssay ofyay ythay Ord'slay ercymay inyay everyyay eatedcray ingthay, andyay eesay ethay eadingspray aysray ofyay Ishay Amesnay andyay Attributesyay oughoutthray allyay ethay ealmray ofyay eingbay, ithway evidencesyay ichwhay onenay illway enyday avesay ethay owardfray andyay ethay unawareyay. Enthay iltway outhay observeyay atthay ethay universeyay isyay ayay ollscray atthay isclosethday Ishay iddenhay ecretssay, ichwhay areyay eservedpray inyay ethay ell-guardedway Ablettay.
-- 'Abdu'l-Bahyayá, Electionssay omfray ethay Itingswray ofyay 'Abdu'l-Bahyayá, agepay 41

Ysicalphay odiesbay areyay ansferredtray astpay oneyay arrierbay afteryay anotheryay, omfray oneyay ifelay otay anotheryay, andyay allyay ingsthay areyay ubjectsay otay ansformationtray andyay angechay, avesay onlyyay ethay essenceyay ofyay existenceyay itselfyay -- incesay ityay isyay onstantcay andyay immutableyay, andyay uponyay ityay isyay oundedfay ethay ifelay ofyay everyyay eciesspay andyay indkay, ofyay everyyay ontingentcay ealityray oughoutthray ethay olewhay ofyay eationcray.
-- 'Abdu'l-Bahyayá, Electionssay omfray ethay Itingswray ofyay 'Abdu'l-Bahyayá, agepay 156

Ityay aymay ebay aidsay, orfay instanceyay, atthay isthay amplightlay isyay astlay ight'snay omecay ackbay againyay, oryay atthay astlay year'say oseray athhay eturnedray otay ethay ardengay isthay yearay. Erehay ethay eferenceray isyay otnay otay ethay individualyay ealityray, ethay ixedfay identityyay, ethay ecializedspay eingbay ofyay atthay otheryay oseray, atherray othday ityay eanmay atthay ethay ualitiesqay, ethay istinctiveday aracteristicschay ofyay atthay otheryay ightlay, atthay otheryay owerflay, areyay esentpray ownay, inyay esethay.
-- 'Abdu'l-Bahyayá, Electionssay omfray ethay Itingswray ofyay 'Abdu'l-Bahyayá, agepay 183

Ieflybray, ereforethay, ethay objectiveyay idealismyay inyay Ippitt'slay Iencescay ofyay Ealityray, eflectingray ayay erfunctorypay approachyay otay ethay (econstructedday) Eoplatonicnay onceptscay oundfay inyay ertaincay Ahbayá'í extstay, isyay, inyay ASMAyay Eismthay, econceptualizedray inyay ominalistnay ermstay. Ippitt'slay idealismyay isyay upersededsay ybay ayay articularistpay oluntarismvay (otay oincay ayay ermtay, ayay ost-neoplatonismpay).

Eoplatonismnay, includingyay ethay iewsvay ofyay Atoplay andyay Aristotleyay, isyay ethay iterarylay ameworkfray, ethay ehiclevay, ofyay Aha'ibay ysticismmay. Indeedyay, ityay ightmay ebay aidsay atthay uperficiallysay, atyay eastlay, Ahbayá'u'llyayáhay andyay `Abdu'l-Bahyayá ereway esentingpray ayay Eoplatonicnay eligiousray odelmay. Oweverhay, anyay analogyyay ightmay ebay oundfay inyay Ean-Franjayçoisyay Yotardlay, owhay ooktay Udwiglay Ittgenstein'sway onceptcay ofyay anguagelay amesgay andyay usedyay ityay otay econstructday etanarrativesmay oryay otalizingtay emesschay. Erehay, ethay etanarrativemay isyay Eoplatonismnay.

Eforebay allyay elseyay, ivineday ealityray oryay uthtray (aqhayíatqay) isyay Odgay, ethay Ealray oryay Uetray Oneyay (al-haqqyay). Ityay aymay enthay ebay onstruedcay, oughthay econdarilysay andyay ependentlyday, asyay encompassingyay allyay atthay ichwhay ethay ivineday Essenceyay illsway otay onstructcay andyay eatecray. ASMAyay Eismthay, ayay inglesay attemptyay atyay understandingyay ertaincay ofyay osethay ivineday onstructionscay andyay eationscray, isyay otnay esumedpray otay epictday ethay onlyyay, oryay evenyay ethay ostmay accurateyay, odelmay ofyay existenceyay.

ASMAyay Eismthay isyay ayay eakway eismthay. Atthay isyay otay aysay, ilewhay ityay establishesyay Od'sgay Illway asyay overeignsay, ityay alsoyay eparatessay ethay iencesscay andyay umanitieshay omfray eligiousray authorityyay. Asyay uchsay, ityay agreesyay ithway Illiamway ofyay Ockhamyay atthay ecularsay, academicyay ursuitspay ouldshay otnay ebay overnedgay ybay eligiousray ipturescray.

ASMAyay Iritspay: Ayay Econdsay Ategoricalcay Ameworkfray

Eil'sway onstructcay ofyay owerspay ofyay ethay oulsay12 illway erehay ebay amednay ethay umanhay iritspay (ayay.kay.ayay. ethay innateyay aracterchay, ationalray acultyfay, ationalray oulsay, oryay ommoncay acultyfay/iss-i-muhayshayaraktay). Ethay iritsspay ofyay articularpay oulssay, observedyay inyay ariousvay opestray oryay attributesyay, ancay ebay understoodyay accordingyay otay atyay eastlay ivefay amesnay oryay ategoriescay. Ybay eflectingray onyay `Abdu'l-Bahyayá'say exampleyay, uchsay apacitiescay enableyay ethay evelopmentday ofyay ayay oul'ssay acquiredyay aracteristicschay andyay attributesyay (oryay iritualspay irtuesvay), interyay aliayay, ovelay, ercymay, airnessfay, andyay ustworthinesstray.

Everyyay otheryay ordway ofyay Ahbayá'u'llyayáh'say andyay 'Abdu'l-Bahyayá'say itingswray isyay ayay eachmentpray onyay oralmay andyay ethicalyay onductcay; allyay elseyay isyay ethay ormfay, ethay alicechay, intoyay ichwhay ethay urepay iritspay ustmay ebay ouredpay; ithoutway ethay iritspay andyay ethay actionyay ichwhay ustmay emonstrateday ityay, ityay isyay ayay ifelesslay ormfay.
-- Omfray ayay etterlay atedday Octoberyay 25, 1949, ittenwray onyay ehalfbay ofyay Oghishay Effendiyay otay anyay individualyay Ahbayá'í andyay itedcay: Ivinglay ethay Ifelay, agepay 20

Ethay umanhay iritspay, oryay ationalray oulsay, appearsyay otay avehay eenbay usedyay ybay `Abdu'l-Bahyayá asyay ayay ategorycay, ayay ubricray, orfay osethay areasyay ofyay unctioningfay ichwhay istinguishday umanshay omfray animalsyay. Atwhay ownay ollowsfay isyay anyay attemptyay otay escrbeday ethay apacitiescay (owerspay), andyay ategoriescay ofyay apacitiescay, amednay ethay umanhay iritspay. Iyay avehay, overyay ethay yearsay, ademay extensiveyay odificationsmay otay Eil'sway ameworkfray. Ethay esultingray odelmay isyay esignatedday ASMAyay Iritspay™.

1. entalmay acultiesfay: ethay intellectyay (aqlyay) oryay intellectualyay apacitiescay ofyay ethay umanhay iritspay, includingyay imaginationyay, oughtthay, understandingyay, andyay emorymay
   
     "Anmay ashay alsoyay iritualspay owerspay: imaginationyay, ichwhay onceivescay ingsthay; oughtthay, ichwhay eflectsray uponyay ealitiesray; omprehensioncay, ichwhay omprehendscay ealitiesray; emorymay, ichwhay etainsray ateverwhay anmay imaginesyay, inksthay andyay omprehendscay. Ethay intermediaryyay etweenbay ethay ivefay outwardyay owerspay andyay ethay inwardyay owerspay isyay ethay ensesay ichwhay eythay ossesspay inyay ommoncay - atthay isyay otay aysay, ethay ensesay ichwhay actsyay etweenbay ethay outeryay andyay inneryay owerspay, onveyscay otay ethay inwardyay owerspay ateverwhay ethay outeryay owerspay iscernday. Ityay isyay ermedtay ethay ommoncay acultyfay, ecausebay ityay ommunicatescay etweenbay ethay outwardyay andyay inwardyay owerspay andyay usthay isyay ommoncay otay ethay outwardyay andyay inwardyay owerspay."
   -- 'Abdu'l-Bahyayá, Omesay Answeredyay Uestionsqay, agepay 210
   
     "Ownay oncerningcay entalmay acultiesfay, eythay areyay inyay uthtray ofyay ethay inherentyay opertiespray ofyay ethay oulsay, evenyay asyay ethay adiationray ofyay ightlay isyay ethay essentialyay opertypray ofyay ethay unsay. Ethay aysray ofyay ethay unsay areyay enewedray utbay ethay unsay itselfyay isyay everyay ethay amesay andyay unchangedyay. Onsidercay owhay ethay umanhay intellectyay evelopsday andyay eakensway, andyay aymay atyay imestay omecay otay aughtnay, ereaswhay ethay oulsay angethchay otnay. Orfay ethay indmay otay anifestmay itselfyay, ethay umanhay odybay ustmay ebay olewhay; andyay ayay oundsay indmay annotcay ebay utbay inyay ayay oundsay odybay, ereaswhay ethay oulsay ependethday otnay uponyay ethay odybay. Ityay isyay oughthray ethay owerpay ofyay ethay oulsay atthay ethay indmay omprehendethcay, imaginethyay andyay exertethyay itsyay influenceyay, ilstwhay ethay oulsay isyay ayay owerpay atthay isyay eefray. Ethay indmay omprehendethcay ethay abstractyay ybay ethay aidyay ofyay ethay oncretecay, utbay ethay oulsay athhay imitlesslay anifestationsmay ofyay itsyay ownyay. Ethay indmay isyay ircumscribedcay, ethay oulsay imitlesslay. Ityay isyay ybay ethay aidyay ofyay uchsay ensessay asyay osethay ofyay ightsay, earinghay, astetay, ellsmay andyay ouchtay, atthay ethay indmay omprehendethcay, ereaswhay ethay oulsay isyay eefray omfray allyay agenciesyay."
   -- 'Abdu'l-Bahyayá, Ablettay otay Augustyay Orelfay, agepay 8
   
     "Ownay egardingray ethay uestionqay etherwhay ethay acultiesfay ofyay ethay indmay andyay ethay umanhay oulsay areyay oneyay andyay ethay amesay. Esethay acultiesfay areyay utbay ethay inherentyay opertiespray ofyay ethay oulsay, uchsay asyay ethay owerpay ofyay imaginationyay, ofyay oughtthay, ofyay understandingyay; owerspay atthay areyay ethay essentialyay equisitesray ofyay ethay ealityray ofyay anmay, evenyay asyay ethay olarsay ayray isyay ethay inherentyay opertypray ofyay ethay unsay. Ethay empletay ofyay anmay isyay ikelay untoyay ayay irrormay, ishay oulsay isyay asyay ethay unsay, andyay ishay entalmay acultiesfay evenyay asyay ethay aysray atthay emanateyay omfray atthay ourcesay ofyay ightlay. Ethay ayray aymay easecay otay allfay uponyay ethay irrormay, utbay ityay ancay inyay onay iseway ebay issociatedday omfray ethay unsay."
   -- 'Abdu'l-Bahyayá, Ablettay otay Augustyay Orelfay, agespay 24-25

---



2. ethay iritspay ofyay aithfay: ethay agnetmay ofyay aithfay andyay ervicesay oryay owerpay andyay apacitycay ofyay aithfay inyay ethay Ophetpray otay ansformtray ethay umanhay onsciencecay oryay eefray illway; esultsray inyay ethay acquisitionyay ofyay irtuesvay, uchsay asyay ovelay (iologicallybay experiencedyay asyay iritualspay oyjay oryay appinesshay), indnesskay, ercymay, uthfulnesstray, ervicesay, etcyay.
   
     "Aithfay isyay ethay agnetmay ichwhay awsdray ethay onfirmationcay ofyay ethay Ercifulmay Oneyay. Ervicesay isyay ethay agnetmay ichwhay attractsyay ethay eavenlyhay engthstray. Iyay opehay outhay iltway attainyay othbay."
   -- 'Abdu'l-Bahyayá, Abletstay ofyay 'Abdu'l-Bahyayá Abbyayásay, olumevay 1, agepay 62
   
     "Appinesshay onsistscay ofyay otway indskay; ysicalphay andyay iritualspay. Ethay ysicalphay appinesshay isyay imitedlay; itsyay utmostyay urationday isyay oneyay ayday, oneyay onthmay, oneyay yearay. Ityay athhay onay esultray. Iritualspay appinesshay isyay eternalyay andyay unfathomableyay. Isthay indkay ofyay appinesshay appearethyay inyay one'syay oulsay ithway ethay ovelay ofyay Odgay andyay ufferethsay oneyay otay attainyay otay ethay irtuesvay andyay erfectionspay ofyay ethay orldway ofyay umanityhay. Ereforethay, endeavoryay asyay uchmay asyay outhay artyay ableyay inyay orderyay otay illuminateyay ethay amplay ofyay ythay earthay ybay ethay ightlay ofyay ovelay."
   -- 'Abdu'l-Bahyayá, Abletstay ofyay 'Abdu'l-Bahyayá Abbyayásay, olumevay 3, agepay 673
   
     "Omfray ethay exaltedyay ourcesay, andyay outyay ofyay ethay essenceyay ofyay Ishay avorfay andyay ountybay Ehay athhay entrustedyay everyyay eatedcray ingthay ithway ayay ignsay ofyay Ishay owledgeknay, osay atthay onenay ofyay Ishay eaturescray aymay ebay eprivedday ofyay itsyay areshay inyay expressingyay, eachyay accordingyay otay itsyay apacitycay andyay ankray, isthay owledgeknay. Isthay ignsay isyay ethay irrormay ofyay Ishay eautybay inyay ethay orldway ofyay eationcray. Ethay eatergray ethay effortyay exertedyay orfay ethay efinementray ofyay isthay ublimesay andyay oblenay irrormay, ethay oremay aithfullyfay illway ityay ebay ademay otay eflectray ethay oryglay ofyay ethay amesnay andyay attributesyay ofyay Odgay, andyay evealray ethay ondersway ofyay Ishay ignssay andyay owledgeknay. Everyyay eatedcray ingthay illway ebay enabledyay (osay eatgray isyay isthay eflectingray owerpay) otay evealray ethay otentialitiespay ofyay itsyay e-ordainedpray ationstay, illway ecognizeray itsyay apacitycay andyay imitationslay, andyay illway estifytay otay ethay uthtray atthay 'Ehay, erilyvay, isyay Odgay; erethay isyay onenay otheryay Odgay esidesbay Imhay.'...
     "Erethay ancay ebay onay oubtday ateverwhay atthay, inyay onsequencecay ofyay ethay effortsyay ichwhay everyyay anmay aymay onsciouslycay exertyay andyay asyay ayay esultray ofyay ethay exertionyay ofyay ishay ownyay iritualspay acultiesfay, isthay irrormay ancay ebay osay eansedclay omfray ethay ossdray ofyay earthlyyay efilementsday andyay urgedpay omfray atanicsay anciesfay asyay otay ebay ableyay otay awdray ighnay untoyay ethay eadsmay ofyay eternalyay olinesshay andyay attainyay ethay ourtscay ofyay everlastingyay ellowshipfay."
   -- Ahbayá'u'llyayáhay:, Eaningsglay omfray ethay Itingswray ofyay Ahbayá'u'llyayáhay, agepay 262
   
     "Enthay owknay, Oyay outhay irtuousvay oulsay, atthay asyay oonsay asyay outhay ecomestbay eparatedsay omfray aughtyay elseyay avesay Odgay andyay ostday utcay yselfthay omfray ethay orldlyway ingsthay, ythay earthay illway ineshay ithway ightslay ofyay ivinityday andyay ithway ethay effulgenceyay ofyay ethay Unsay ofyay Uthtray omfray ethay orizonhay ofyay ethay Ealmray ofyay Ightmay, andyay enthay outhay iltway ebay iledfay ybay ethay iritspay ofyay owerpay omfray Odgay andyay ecomebay apablecay ofyay oingday atthay ichwhay outhay esirestday. Isthay isyay ethay onfirmedcay uthtray."
   -- 'Abdu'l-Bahyayá, Abletstay ofyay 'Abdu'l-Bahyayá Abbyayásay, olumevay 3, agepay 709
   
     "Ethay umanhay iritspay ichwhay istinguishesday anmay omfray ethay animalyay isyay ethay ationalray oulsay, andyay esethay otway amesnay - ethay umanhay iritspay andyay ethay ationalray oulsay - esignateday oneyay ingthay. Isthay iritspay, ichwhay inyay ethay erminologytay ofyay ethay ilosophersphay isyay ethay ationalray oulsay, embracesyay allyay eingsbay, andyay asyay arfay asyay umanhay abilityyay ermitspay iscoversday ethay ealitiesray ofyay ingsthay andyay ecomesbay ognizantcay ofyay eirthay eculiaritiespay andyay effectsyay, andyay ofyay ethay ualitiesqay andyay opertiespray ofyay eingsbay. Utbay ethay umanhay iritspay, unlessyay assistedyay ybay ethay iritspay ofyay aithfay, oesday otnay ecomebay acquaintedyay ithway ethay ivineday ecretssay andyay ethay eavenlyhay ealitiesray. Ityay isyay ikelay ayay irrormay ichwhay, althoughyay earclay, olishedpay andyay illiantbray, isyay illstay inyay eednay ofyay ightlay. Untilyay ayay ayray ofyay ethay unsay eflectsray uponyay ityay, ityay annotcay iscoverday ethay eavenlyhay ecretssay."
   -- 'Abdu'l-Bahyayá, Omesay Answeredyay Uestionsqay, agespay 208-209
   
     "Ervicesay isyay ethay agnetmay ichwhay awsdray ethay ivineday onfirmationscay. Usthay, enwhay ayay ersonpay isyay activeyay, eythay areyay essedblay ybay ethay Olyhay Iritspay. Enwhay eythay areyay inactiveyay, ethay Olyhay Iritspay annotcay indfay ayay epositoryray inyay eirthay eingbay, andyay usthay eythay areyay eprivedday ofyay itsyay ealinghay andyay uickeningqay aysray."
   -- Omfray ayay etterlay atedday Ulyjay 12, 1952, ittenwray onyay ehalfbay ofyay Oghishay Effendiyay otay anyay individualyay Ahbayá'í andyay itedcay: Ivinglay ethay Ifelay, agepay 18
   
     "Inyay ervingsay ayay Ausecay orfay ichwhay youray othermay acrificedsay osay uchmay youay illway onay oubtday omecay otay indfay ethay eryvay urposepay ofyay youray ifelay, andyay ethay uetray ecretsay ofyay appinesshay inyay isthay, asyay ellway asyay inyay ethay extnay orldway."
   -- Omfray ayay etterlay ittenwray onyay ehalfbay ofyay Oghishay Effendiyay inyay Arohanuiyay: Etterslay otay Ewnay Ealandzay, agepay 42
   
     "Utbay ethay Iritspay ofyay Aithfay ichwhay isyay ofyay ethay Ingdomkay (ofyay Odgay) onsistscay ofyay ethay all-comprehendingyay Acegray andyay ethay erfectpay attainmentyay (oryay alvationsay, uitionfray, achievementyay) andyay ethay owerpay ofyay anctitysay andyay ethay ivineday effulgenceyay omfray ethay Unsay ofyay Uthtray onyay uminouslay ight-seekinglay essencesyay omfray ethay esencepray ofyay ethay ivineday Unityyay. Andyay ybay isthay Iritspay isyay ethay ifelay ofyay ethay iritspay ofyay anmay, enwhay ityay isyay ortifiedfay erebythay, asyay Istchray aithsay: 'Atthay ichwhay isyay ornbay ofyay ethay Iritspay isyay Iritspay.' Andyay isthay Iritspay athhay othbay estitutionray andyay eturnray, inasmuchyay asyay ityay onsistscay ofyay ethay Ightlay ofyay Odgay andyay ethay unconditionedyay Acegray."
   -- 'Abdu'l-Bahyayá, Abletstay ofyay 'Abdu'l-Bahyayá Abbyayásay, olumevay 1, agepay 115
   
     "Ethay aid-servantsmay ofyay ethay Ercifulmay ouldshay ovelay eachyay otheryay ithway earthay andyay oulsay; orfay oughthay erethay ebay anymay odiesbay, ethay iritspay ofyay aithfay isyay oneyay13 andyay ethay outpouringyay ofyay ethay Olyhay Iritspay isyay universalyay. Erethay isyay oneyay Ightlay utbay anymay ampslay; erethay isyay oneyay Ineway utbay ethay assesglay ifferday."
   -- 'Abdu'l-Bahyayá, Abletstay ofyay 'Abdu'l-Bahyayá Abbyayásay, olumevay 3, agepay 505
   
     "Oday outhay onderpay esethay omentousmay appeningshay inyay ythay earthay, osay atthay outhay ayestmay apprehendyay ethay eatnessgray ofyay isthay Evelationray, andyay erceivepay itsyay upendousstay oryglay. Enthay allshay ethay iritspay ofyay aithfay, oughthray ethay acegray ofyay ethay Ercifulmay, ebay eathedbray intoyay ythay eingbay, andyay outhay altshay ebay establishedyay andyay abideyay uponyay ethay eatsay ofyay ertitudecay."
   -- Ahbayá'u'llyayáhay, Ethay Itkayái-b-ayÍqayánay, agepay 236
   
     "Ethay ourthfay egreeday ofyay iritspay isyay ethay eavenlyhay iritspay; ityay isyay ethay iritspay ofyay aithfay andyay ethay ountybay ofyay Odgay; ityay omescay omfray ethay eathbray ofyay ethay Olyhay Iritspay, andyay ybay ethay ivineday owerpay ityay ecomesbay ethay ausecay ofyay eternalyay ifelay. Ityay isyay ethay owerpay ichwhay akesmay ethay earthlyyay anmay eavenlyhay, andyay ethay imperfectyay anmay erfectpay. Ityay akesmay ethay impureyay otay ebay urepay, ethay ilentsay eloquentyay; ityay urifiespay andyay anctifiessay osethay ademay aptivecay ybay arnalcay esiresday; ityay akesmay ethay ignorantyay iseway."
   -- 'Abdu'l-Bahyayá, Omesay Answeredyay Uestionsqay, agepay 144

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3. inneryay isionvay: apacitycay orfay insightyay; experiencedyay asyay iritualspay owledgeknay
   
     "Odgay antgray atthay, ithway ayay enetratingpay isionvay andyay adiantray earthay, outhay ayestmay observeyay ethay ingsthay atthay avehay omecay otay asspay andyay areyay ownay appeninghay, andyay, onderingpay emthay inyay inethay earthay, ayestmay ecognizeray atthay ichwhay ostmay enmay avehay, inyay isthay Ayday, ailedfay otay erceivepay."
   -- Ahbayá'u'llyayáhay, Eaningsglay omfray ethay Itingswray ofyay Ahbayá'u'llyayáhay, agepay 58
   
     "Inyay ethay irrormay ofyay eirthay indsmay ethay ormsfay ofyay anscendenttray ealitiesray areyay eflectedray, andyay ethay amplay ofyay eirthay inneryay isionvay erivesday itsyay ightlay omfray ethay unsay ofyay universalyay owledgeknay."
   -- 'Abdu'l-Bahyayá, Ethay Ecretsay ofyay Ivineday Ivilizationcay, agepay 21
   
     "Ifyay, enthay, ethay iritspay ereway ethay amesay asyay ethay odybay, ityay ouldway ebay ecessarynay atthay ethay owerpay ofyay ethay inneryay ightsay ouldshay alsoyay ebay inyay ethay amesay oportionpray. Ereforethay, ityay isyay evidentyay atthay isthay iritspay isyay ifferentday omfray ethay odybay, andyay atthay ethay irdbay isyay ifferentday omfray ethay agecay, andyay atthay ethay owerpay andyay enetrationpay ofyay ethay iritspay isyay ongerstray ithoutway ethay intermediaryyay ofyay ethay odybay."
   -- 'Abdu'l-Bahyayá, Omesay Answeredyay Uestionsqay, agepay 228

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4. eefray illway: ethay onsciencecay, illway owerpay, irrormay ofyay oralmay oiceschay, oryay owerpay ofyay olitionalvay accomplishmentyay
   
     "An'smay ysicalphay existenceyay onyay isthay earthyay isyay ayay eriodpay uringday ichwhay ethay oralmay exerciseyay ofyay ishay eefray illway isyay iedtray andyay estedtay inyay orderyay otay eparepray ishay oulsay orfay ethay otheryay orldsway ofyay Odgay, andyay eway ustmay elcomeway afflictionyay andyay ibulationstray asyay opportunitiesyay orfay improvementyay inyay ouryay eternalyay elvessay."
   -- Omfray ayay etterlay ittenwray onyay ehalfbay ofyay ethay Universalyay Ousehay ofyay Usticejay otay anyay individualyay Ahbayá'í, Ulyjay 16, 1980, andyay itedcay: Ightslay ofyay Uidancegay, agepay 368
   
     "Onsidercay ethay ationalray acultyfay ithway ichwhay Odgay athhay endowedyay ethay essenceyay ofyay anmay. Examineyay inethay ownyay elfsay, andyay eholdbay owhay ... ythay illway andyay urposepay ... oceedpray omfray, andyay oweyay eirthay existenceyay otay, isthay amesay acultyfay."
   -- Ahbayá'u'llyayáhay, Eaningsglay omfray ethay Itingswray ofyay Ahbayá'u'llyayáhay, agepay 164
   
     "... oughthay ethay oicechay ofyay oodgay andyay evilyay elongsbay otay anmay, underyay allyay ircumstancescay ehay isyay ependentday uponyay ethay ustainingsay elphay ofyay ifelay, ichwhay omescay omfray ethay Omnipotentyay. Ethay Ingdomkay ofyay Odgay isyay eryvay eatgray, andyay allyay areyay aptivescay inyay ethay aspgray ofyay Ishay Owerpay. Ethay ervantsay annotcay oday anythingyay ybay ishay ownyay illway; Odgay isyay owerfulpay, omnipotentyay, andyay ethay Elperhay ofyay allyay eingsbay."
   -- 'Abdu'l-Bahyayá, Omesay Answeredyay Uestionsqay, agepay 250
   
     "... onsciencecay isyay evernay otay ebay oercedcay, etherwhay ybay otheryay individualsyay oryay institutionsyay.
     "Onsciencecay, oweverhay, isyay otnay anyay unchangeableyay absoluteyay. Oneyay ictionaryday efinitionday, althoughyay otnay overingcay allyay ethay usagesyay ofyay ethay ermtay, esentspray ethay ommoncay understandingyay ofyay ethay ordway 'onscience'cay asyay 'ethay ensesay ofyay ightray andyay ongwray asyay egardsray ingsthay orfay ichwhay oneyay isyay esponsibleray; ethay acultyfay oryay inciplepray ichwhay onouncespray uponyay ethay oralmay ualityqay ofyay one'syay actionsyay oryay otivesmay, approvingyay ethay ightray andyay ondemningcay ethay ong'wray.
     "Ethay unctioningfay ofyay one'syay onsciencecay, enthay, ependsday uponyay one'syay understandingyay ofyay ightray andyay ongwray; ethay onsciencecay ofyay oneyay ersonpay aymay ebay establishedyay uponyay ayay isinterestedday ivingstray afteryay uthtray andyay usticejay, ilewhay atthay ofyay anotheryay aymay estray onyay anyay unthinkingyay edispositionpray otay actyay inyay accordanceyay ithway atthay atternpay ofyay andardsstay, inciplespray andyay ohibitionspray ichwhay isyay ayay oductpray ofyay ishay ocialsay environmentyay. Onsciencecay, ereforethay, ancay ervesay eitheryay asyay ayay ulwarkbay ofyay anyay uprightyay aracterchay oryay ancay epresentray anyay accumulationyay ofyay ejudicespray earnedlay omfray one'syay orebearsfay oryay absorbedyay omfray ayay imitedlay ocialsay odecay.
     "Ayay Ahbayá'í ecognizesray atthay oneyay aspectyay ofyay ishay iritualspay andyay intellectualyay owthgray isyay otay osterfay ethay evelopmentday ofyay ishay onsciencecay inyay ethay ightlay ofyay ivineday Evelationray ...."
   -- Omfray ayay etterlay atedday Ebruaryfay 8, 1998, ittenwray onyay ehalfbay ofyay ethay Universalyay Ousehay ofyay Usticejay otay dray. Usansay Aneckmay.

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5. odilybay agencyyay: oordinationcay ofyay odilybay unctionsfay
   
     "Asyay ethay odybay isyay ustainedsay ybay ethay iritspay, ityay isyay inyay elationray otay ethay iritspay anyay essentialyay enomenonphay. Ethay iritspay isyay independentyay ofyay ethay odybay, andyay inyay elationray otay ityay ethay iritspay isyay anyay essentialyay eexistencepray. Oughthay ethay aysray areyay alwaysyay inseparableyay omfray ethay unsay, everthelessnay, ethay unsay isyay eexistentpray andyay ethay aysray areyay enomenalphay, orfay ethay existenceyay ofyay ethay aysray ependsday uponyay atthay ofyay ethay unsay."
   -- 'Abdu'l-Bahyayá, Omesay Answeredyay Uestionsqay, agepay 280
   
     "... ethay ariousvay organsyay andyay embersmay, ethay artspay andyay elementsyay, atthay onstitutecay ethay odybay ofyay anmay, oughthay atyay ariancevay, areyay yetay allyay onnectedcay oneyay ithway ethay otheryay ybay atthay all-unifyingyay agencyyay ownknay asyay ethay umanhay oulsay, atthay ausethcay emthay otay unctionfay inyay erfectpay armonyhay andyay ithway absoluteyay egularityray, usthay akingmay ethay ontinuationcay ofyay ifelay ossiblepay. Ethay umanhay odybay, oweverhay, isyay utterlyyay unconsciousyay ofyay atthay all-unifyingyay agencyyay, andyay yetay actethyay ithway egularityray andyay ischargethday itsyay unctionsfay accordingyay otay itsyay illway."
   -- 'Abdu'l-Bahyayá, Ablettay otay Augustyay Orelfay, agepay 13
   
     "Ethay indmay ichwhay isyay inyay anmay, ethay existenceyay ofyay ichwhay isyay ecognizedray - erewhay isyay ityay inyay imhay? Ifyay youay examineyay ethay odybay ithway ethay eyeyay, ethay earyay oryay ethay otheryay ensessay, youay illway otnay indfay ityay; everthelessnay, ityay existsyay. Ereforethay, ethay indmay ashay onay aceplay, utbay ityay isyay onnectedcay ithway ethay ainbray."
   -- 'Abdu'l-Bahyayá, Omesay Answeredyay Uestionsqay, agepay 242

Eilway alsoyay elievedbay atthay individualityyay, ithway atwhay ehay awsay asyay itsyay intway otentialspay orfay accomplishmentyay andyay inneryay angechay, andyay immortalityyay ereway "owerspay ofyay ethay oulsay." Ymay ownyay uggestionsay, oweverhay, isyay atthay individualityyay isyay erelymay ayay amenay orfay ethay uniquenessyay, articularitypay, oryay is-nessthay ofyay eachyay oulsay, istinguishedday omfray stay. Omasthay Aquinas'yay oremay essentialistyay iewvay ofyay ethay ationalray oulsay (umanhay aturenay), ilewhay itsyay otentialspay areyay ethay owerspay oryay apacitiescay ofyay ethay ind'smay entalmay acultiesfay andyay eefray illway, ofyay inneryay isionvay, andyay ofyay ethay iritspay ofyay aithfay; andyay atthay immortalityyay isyay anyay affirmationyay ofyay eachyay oul'ssay implicitysay andyay indestructibilityyay. Othbay individualityyay andyay immortalityyay areyay ominalnay escriptionsday ofyay oulssay, otnay ethay instrumentalitiesyay ofyay umanhay iritsspay.

ASMAyay Axispray: Ayay Urrendersay otay Od'sgay Illway

Arallelspay ancay ebay awndray etweenbay ASMAyay Axispray™, ethay iberativelay ocialsay ervicesay imensionday ofyay ASMAyay, andyay ertaincay onceptscay inyay ariousvay eligiousray ommuntiescay. Onlyyay ourfay illway ebay entionedmay.

Asyay expressedyay inyay omesay ofyay ethay Udaismsjay, ethay anslationtray ofyay ethay Ebrewhay, andyay Urianiclay Abbalistickay, ermtay, ikkuntay olamyay, isyay epairingray ethay orldway. Oughthray itsyay einterpretationray ybay ethay Ewishjay Enewalray Ovementmay, ityay ashay ecomebay ayay arionclay allcay orfay environmentalyay ustodianshipcay, eacepay, andyay ocialsay usticejay orfay ethay oorpay.

Ethay ordway ihjayáday isyay Arabicyay orfay ugglestray, otnay orfay olyhay arway. Anymay Islyayáicmay oderatesmay avehay ituatedsay itsyay ignificancesay inyay ethay estlingwray ithway one'syay afsnay (Arabicyay ognatecay ofyay ethay Ebrewhay efeshnay), ethay ultiplemay anesplay ofyay ethay owerlay aturenay oryay egoyay, andyay inyay anyay exertionyay orfay umanhay equityyay, eacepay, andyay ethay ethay ightsray ofyay ethay oorpay. Omfray eirthay andpointstay, onlyyay ihjayádsay ichwhay areyay urposefullypay efensiveday, ofyay one'syay ownyay oryay anotheryay eligiousray ommunitycay, ouldshay ebay anctionedsay onyay ethay attlefieldbay.

Ithway espectray otay Istianitychray, ayay yriadmay ofyay iberalslay andyay ostliberalspay, includingyay osethay identifyingyay ithway Everyyay Urchchay ayay Eacepay Urchchay oryay Ojournerssay, omotepray inclusivenessyay, eacepay, andyay ocialsay usticejay amongyay othbay Istianschray andyay osethay ofyay otheryay aithsfay. Inyay ethay Unitedyay Atesstay, ethay Unitedyay Urchchay ofyay Istchray andyay ethay Isciplesday ofyay Istchray areyay otway ofyay ethay oremay openyay andyay ogressivepray enominationsday.

Oweverhay, onservativecay evangelicalsyay, onstitutingcay oneyay ofyay ethay oremay influentialyay ategoriescay ofyay Americanyay Istendomchray, areyay amongyay ethay ostmay assionatepay advocatesyay orfay orporatecay apitalismcay, onsideredcay ybay omesay otay ebay oppressiveyay ofyay ethay oorpay, andyay amongyay ethay ostmay edicatedday opponentsyay ofyay economicyay ocialismsay. Yetay, esethay ositionspay ouldway ebay ifficultday otay upportsay omfray ethay Ewnay Estamenttay iteraturelay:

Allyay owhay elievedbay ereway ogethertay andyay eldhay everythingyay inyay ommoncay, andyay eythay eganbay ellingsay eirthay opertypray andyay ossessionspay andyay istributingday ethay oceedspray otay everyoneyay, asyay anyoneyay adhay eednay. Everyyay ayday eythay ontinuedcay otay athergay ogethertay ybay ommoncay onsentcay inyay ethay empletay ourtscay, eakingbray eadbray omfray ousehay otay ousehay, aringshay eirthay oodfay ithway adglay andyay umblehay eartshay, aisingpray Odgay andyay avinghay ethay oodgay illway ofyay allyay ethay eoplepay. Andyay ethay Ordlay asway addingyay otay eirthay umbernay everyyay ayday osethay owhay ereway eingbay avedsay.
-- Actsyay 2:44-47 (omfray ETNAY Iblebay)

Esusjay alsoyay appearsyay otay avehay elievedbay, inyay ontradictioncay otay evailingpray evangelicalyay onceptionscay ofyay alvationsay ithoutway orksway, atthay ethay orthinessway ofyay individualsyay otay inherityay ethay Ingdomkay ofyay Odgay illway ebay udgedjay onyay evidenceyay ofyay eirthay enevolencebay owardtay ethay oorpay. Isthay exttay ovidespray ethay ocuslay assicusclay orfay ishay ositionpay.:

    Enwhay ethay Onsay ofyay Anmay omescay inyay ishay oryglay andyay allyay ethay angelsyay ithway imhay, enthay ehay illway itsay onyay ishay oriousglay onethray.
    Allyay ethay ationsnay illway ebay assembledyay eforebay imhay, andyay ehay illway eparatesay eoplepay oneyay omfray anotheryay ikelay ayay epherdshay eparatessay ethay eepshay omfray ethay oatsgay. Ehay illway utpay ethay eepshay onyay ishay ightray andyay ethay oatsgay onyay ishay eftlay.
    Enthay ethay ingkay illway aysay otay osethay onyay ishay ightray, "Omecay, youay owhay areyay essedblay ybay ymay Atherfay, inherityay ethay ingdomkay eparedpray orfay youay omfray ethay oundationfay ofyay ethay orldway. Orfay Iyay asway ungryhay andyay youay avegay emay oodfay, Iyay asway irstythay andyay youay avegay emay omethingsay otay inkdray, Iyay asway ayay angerstray andyay youay invitedyay emay inyay, Iyay asway akednay andyay youay avegay emay othingclay, Iyay asway icksay andyay youay ooktay arecay ofyay emay, Iyay asway inyay isonpray andyay youay isitedvay emay."
    Enthay ethay ighteousray illway answeryay imhay, "Ordlay, enwhay idday eway eesay youay ungryhay andyay eedfay youay, oryay irstythay andyay ivegay youay omethingsay otay inkdray? Enwhay idday eway eesay youay ayay angerstray andyay inviteyay youay inyay, oryay akednay andyay otheclay youay? Enwhay idday eway eesay youay icksay oryay inyay isonpray andyay isitvay youay? "
    Andyay ethay ingkay illway answeryay emthay, "Iyay elltay youay ethay uthtray, ustjay asyay youay idday ityay orfay oneyay ofyay ethay eastlay ofyay esethay othersbray oryay isterssay ofyay inemay, youay idday ityay orfay emay."
    "Enthay ehay illway aysay otay osethay onyay ishay eftlay, "Epartday omfray emay, youay accursedyay, intoyay ethay eternalyay irefay atthay ashay eenbay eparedpray orfay ethay evilday andyay ishay angelsyay! Orfay Iyay asway ungryhay andyay youay avegay emay othingnay otay eatyay, Iyay asway irstythay andyay youay avegay emay othingnay otay inkdray.
    Iyay asway ayay angerstray andyay youay idday otnay eceiveray emay asyay ayay uestgay, akednay andyay youay idday otnay otheclay emay, icksay andyay inyay isonpray andyay youay idday otnay isitvay emay."
    Enthay eythay ootay illway answeryay, "Ordlay, enwhay idday eway eesay youay ungryhay oryay irstythay oryay ayay angerstray oryay akednay oryay icksay oryay inyay isonpray, andyay idday otnay ivegay youay ateverwhay youay eedednay?"
    Enthay ehay illway answeryay emthay, "Iyay elltay youay ethay uthtray, ustjay asyay youay idday otnay oday ityay orfay oneyay ofyay ethay eastlay ofyay esethay, youay idday otnay oday ityay orfay emay. Andyay esethay illway epartday intoyay eternalyay unishmentpay, utbay ethay ighteousray intoyay eternalyay ifelay."
-- Atthewmay 25:31-46 (omfray ETNAY Iblebay)

Istchray earlyclay expectedyay Ishay ollowersfay otay ervesay ethay oorpay, andyay Ehay assessedyay eirthay ualificationqay orfay eternalyay ifelay, inyay ethay Ingdomkay ofyay Ishay Atherfay, onyay ethay asisbay ofyay eirthay ilanthropyphay. "Andyay oeverwhay oesday otnay aketay upyay ishay osscray andyay ollowfay emay isyay otnay orthyway ofyay emay," (Atthewmay 10:38, ETNAY Iblebay), Ehay isyay uotedqay asyay ayingsay.

Inyay ayay imilarsay einvay, ethay Apostleyay Amesjay assertedyay atthay "... aithfay ithoutway orksway isyay eadday" (Amesjay 2:26, ETNAY Iblebay). Ilewhay otnay inconsistentyay ithway Aul'spay ondemnationcay ofyay aithlessfay orksway asyay indicativeyay ofyay elf-righteousnesssay, Amesjay ouldway eemsay otay avehay onsideredcay ayay orklessway aithfay otay ebay ayay ontradictioncay inyay ermstay.

Inallyfay, omfray ayay Ahbayá'í andpointstay, aithfay andyay orksway, oryay onformingcay oneselfyay otay Od'sgay Illway, areyay inseparableyay andyay, orfay allyay intentsyay andyay urposespay, identicalyay. Aithfay impliesyay orksway, andyay, accordingyay otay Oghishay Effendiyay:

Isyay otnay aithfay utbay anotheryay ordway orfay implicityay obedienceyay, ole-heartedwhay allegianceyay, uncompromisingyay adherenceyay otay atthay ichwhay eway elievebay isyay ethay evealedray andyay expressyay illway ofyay Odgay, oweverhay erplexingpay ityay ightmay irstfay appearyay, oweverhay atyay ariancevay ithway ethay adowyshay iewsvay, ethay impotentyay octrinesday, ethay udecray eoriesthay, ethay idleyay imaginingsyay, ethay ashionablefay onceptionscay ofyay ayay ansienttray andyay oubloustray ageyay?
-- Oghishay Effendiyay, Ahbayá'í Administrationyay, agepay 62

Egardingray ethay oorpay, Ahbayá'u'llyayáhay otewray:

Oyay YEay ICHRAY ONESyay ONyay EARTHyay!
Ethay oorpay inyay youray idstmay areyay Ymay usttray; uardgay yeay Ymay usttray, andyay ebay otnay intentyay onlyyay onyay youray ownyay easeyay.
-- Ahbayá'u'llyayáhay, Ethay Ersianpay Iddenhay Ordsway, umbernay 54

Andyay ethay Universalyay Ousehay ofyay Usticejay arplyshay iticizedcray ethay ideologyyay upportingsay orporatecay apitalismcay orfay endingtay:

... otay allouslycay abandonyay arvingstay illionsmay otay ethay operationsyay ofyay ayay arketmay ystemsay atthay allyay ootay earlyclay isyay aggravatingyay ethay ightplay ofyay ethay ajoritymay ofyay ankindmay, ilewhay enablingyay allsmay ectionssay otay ivelay inyay ayay onditioncay ofyay affluenceyay arcelyscay eameddray ofyay ybay ouryay orebearsfay.
-- Ethay Universalyay Ousehay ofyay Usticejay, Ethay Omisepray ofyay Orldway Eacepay

Ieflybray, amongyay ethay ategoriescay ofyay ervicesay ichwhay ightmay ebay utilizedyay inyay Ahbayá'í ervicesay ojectspray orfay ASMAyay areyay osethay involvingyay anyay activeyay articipationpay inyay ocialsay andyay economicyay evelopmentday. Opportunitiesyay orfay olunteerismvay ouldcay unray ethay ambitgay omfray assistingyay on-profitnay agenciesyay ithway ow-incomelay amiliesfay andyay individualsyay otay, erhapspay oremay ambitiouslyyay, esigningday ogramspray orfay aidingyay isplacedday ictimsvay, especiallyyay ethay oorpay, ofyay aturalnay andyay an-mademay isastersday oryay anningplay andyay uildingbay intentionalyay ommunitiescay orfay ethay oorpay andyay isenfranchisedday. Ethay astlay otway ofyay esethay ojectspray areyay ikelylay etterbay uitedsay otay egionalray, atherray anthay ictlystray ocallay, operationyay.

Ialogicalday andyay Onversationalcay Applicationsyay

Ethay approachyay eingbay oposedpray isyay ayay imary-source-basedpray, oryay ipturalscray, udystay irclecay, oneyay akinyay otay ethay "adicalray aditionstray" approachyay ithinway ethay ostcriticalpay eologiesthay. Implysay utpay, ostcriticalpay eologiesthay urntay otay ayay articularpay etsay ofyay eligiousray ipturesscray, ayay anoncay erhapspay, andyay engageyay inyay ayay ialogueday oryay onversationcay aboutyay itsyay elevanciesray otay ethay issuesyay andyay oblemspray acedfay ithinway anyay emergingyay ommunitycay.

Ostcriticalpay eologiesthay areyay alsoyay ostliberalpay. Atherray anthay ookinglay orfay answersyay exclusivelyyay inyay anyay Enlightenmentyay idealyay ofyay easonray, oryay iberalismlay, almostyay inyay itespay ofyay ethay extstay, esethay eologiesthay advocateyay eturningray otay ethay extstay, otnay individuallyyay, utbay ommunallycay. Academicyay extualtay iticismcray isyay embracedyay, utbay ityay isyay ayay iticismcray ichwhay oesday otnay iscountday ethay ommonsensecay eologizingsthay ybay averageyay elieversbay.

Ieflybray, anyay idealyay udystay irclecay ethodologymay ouldway, erhapspay, ebay oneyay ichwhay ouldway allowyay ethay articipantspay otay ialogicallyday engageyay ithway oneyay anotheryay, ithway Ahbayá'í imarypray ourcessay, andyay ithway ethay inkingthay ofyay academicyay Ahbayá'í olarsschay. Ethay ocusfay ouldway ebay onyay iscoveringday arrativesnay ichwhay ouldcay ebay appliedyay otay accomplishingyay ethay Ansplay ublishedpay ybay ethay Universalyay Ousehay ofyay Usticejay.

Ethay objectiveyay isyay otnay otay onductcay ayay "ee-for-allfray" iscussionday, asyay enwhay ethay acilitatorfay ashay eachyay articipantpay areshay erhay ownyay understandingyay ofyay ayay assagepay. Atherray, extstay ouldway ebay arefullycay udiedstay inyay eirthay ulturalcay, istoricalhay, andyay, ifyay ossiblepay, inguisticlay ontextscay, includingyay ybay introducingyay ethay iewsvay ofyay ersonspay owhay avehay udiedstay esethay issuesyay inyay omesay epthday.

Ethay Ahbayá'í Aithfay appearsyay otay advocateyay ayay imapray ipturascray (ethay ittenwray exttay irstfay), oremay anthay ayay olasay ipturascray (onlyyay ethay ittenwray exttay), ipturalscray ermeneutichay. Usthay, Artinmay Uther'slay iewvay ofyay olasay ipturascray ouldway establishyay ethay overeigntysay ofyay individualyay exegesisyay overyay ethay authorityyay ofyay Omeray. Ehay objectedyay, otnay otay aditiontray erpay esay oryay otay usingyay interpretiveyay oolstay externalyay otay ethay Iblebay, utbay otay ethay olasay ecclesiayay (onlyyay ethay urchchay) approachyay otay extstay inyay ethay Omanray Atholiccay Urchchay.

Ahbayá'ísay areyay otnay olasay ipturascray, inyay ethay annermay ofyay Utherlay oryay ethay Otestantpray Eformationray, inyay atthay eway acceptyay ethay authorityyay ofyay ethay Uardiangay otay interpretyay andyay ethay authorityyay ofyay ethay Universalyay Ousehay ofyay Usticejay otay egislativelylay elucidateyay. Eway avehay ayay ivinglay anoncay. Onyay ethay otheryay andhay, ivengay ethay ightray otay ersonalpay interpretationsyay oryay understandingyay ofyay Acredsay Extstay inyay ethay Ahbayá'í ommunitycay, eway avehay othingnay uiteqay ikelay ethay aditionaltray olasay ecclesiayay approachyay ofyay Omanray Atholicismcay eitheryay.

Insteadyay, ityay appearsyay atthay Ahbayá'ísay utilizeyay ayay imapray ipturascray ethodmay, oneyay ichwhay affirmsyay ethay eeminentpray aceplay ofyay ethay Ahbayá'í ipturesscray (includingyay ethay itingswray ofyay ethay Abbay, Ahbayá'u'llahyay, andyay `Abdu'l-Bahyayá) utbay ichwhay alsoyay acceptsyay ethay authorityyay, underyay ethay Ahbayá'í Ovenantcay, ofyay ethay Uardiangay andyay ethay Universalyay Ousehay ofyay Usticejay andyay, oreovermay, allowsyay orfay individualyay interpretationyay, etherwhay accordingyay otay ethay iewsvay ofyay academicsyay oryay othersyay.

Oremay ubstantivelysay, iritualspay ansformationtray, ethay igherhay alchemyyay (al-kyayíiymayá), ightmay ebay ontextualizedcay ithinway ethay ivineday ilosophyphay (ikmat-i-ilhayáhayí), eosophiathay, oryay isdomway eachingstay ofyay ethay Ahbayá'í Evelationray. Otay itway, atthay ichwhay isyay akhayímay, oryay iseway, isyay elativeray otay ethay ivineday Illway (insh'allyayáhay) evealedray ybay ayay articularpay Ophetpray. Asideyay omfray Odgay andyay Ishay Anifestationsmay, oryay Ophetspray, erethay isyay onay eternalyay essenceyay oryay idealyay ormfay ofyay isdomway.

Isthay igherhay alchemyyay isyay onstructedcay, inyay ysticalmay elationshipray ithway Odgay oughthray Ishay Ophetpray, asyay ayay ocesspray eginningbay ithway ethay exerciseyay ofyay eefray illway -- ayerpray, editationmay, eepeningday, andyay ervicesay (orderyay ariesvay inyay ethay Ahbayá'í imarypray ourcessay) -- attractingyay ethay assistanceyay ofyay ethay iritspay ofyay aithfay (ethay agnetmay ofyay aithfay andyay ervicesay), ichwhay, inyay urntay, enhancesyay one'syay inneryay isionvay (insightyay) andyay illuminesyay one'syay entalmay acultiesfay, erebythay allowingyay one'syay odybay otay ebay oordinatedcay inyay ervicesay otay Od'sgay Illway. Ethay endyay esultray isyay ethay evelopmentday ofyay irtuesvay (iritualspay attributesyay).

Ethay objectyay isyay, overyay one'syay ifelay oursecay, otay ainstakinglypay eplaceray one'syay umanhay imperfectionsyay, ethay absenceyay ofyay irtuousnessvay, ithway anyay attainmentyay ofyay iritualspay ualitiesqay. Aduallygray, asyay ethay iritspay ofyay aithfay andyay acultyfay ofyay inneryay isionvay, othbay apacitiescay ofyay ethay umanhay iritspay, areyay evelopedday, one'syay onsciencecay, oryay illway, isyay upliftedyay, irtuevay ybay irtuevay, omfray ethay orldway ofyay umanhay imperfectionyay otay ethay orldway ofyay umanhay iritualityspay. Enthay, oughthray anyay increasedyay omprehensioncay ofyay ethay anguagelay amesgay, oryay ivineday ucturizationsstray (onstructionscay), includedyay inyay ethay Ahbayá'í Evelationray, andyay anyay applicationyay ofyay one'syay understandingsyay, oneyay aymay ogressivelypray ubmitsay otay ethay Illway ofyay Odgay.

Ethay ethodologymay involvesyay ethay adicalray estructurizatonday ofyay ethay oldyay indmay, includingyay itsyay ociallysay iptedscray atternspay ofyay eactionsray. Ivengay atthay anymay individualsyay abituallyhay eactray otay ituationssay omfray eirthay umanhay imperfectionsyay, ifyay ayay ersonpay esiresday otay escapeyay esethay ocializedsay, eactiveray ucturizationsstray ofyay ethay indmay, eshay ustmay, eachyay imetay, allfay intoyay ethay abithay ofyay ausingpay, eflectingray, andyay akingmay ayay irituallyspay informedyay, alutarysay ecisionday. Oughthray isthay eansmay, andyay ybay associatingyay ithway ayay ommunitycay ofyay ike-mindedlay oulssay, erhay eactiveray ucturizationsstray ancay, eactionray ybay eactionray, ebay ogressivellypray onqueredcay andyay eplacedray ithway ethay irituallyspay oactivepray ucturizationsstray ofyay ayay ewnay indmay.

Earlyclay, otnay allyay iptsscray ancay, oryay ustmay, ebay avoidedyay. Ethay ontinuitycay, andyay effectiveyay unctioningfay, ofyay ommunitiescay, ocietiessay, andyay organizationsyay emandsday ayay egreeday ofyay onformitycay otay ertaincay ocializedsay olesray.

Onethelessnay, iptedscray ehaviorsbay ustmay ebay ountenancedcay andyay eliberateday, andyay ethay individualyay, otnay ethay iptscray, eedsnay otay exerciseyay ethay inalfay etovay. Ityay isyay eshay owhay isyay equiredray otnay otay orfeitfay erhay erquisitepay otay edactray, erewhay indicatedyay ybay erhay isdomway, anyyay ociallysay onstructedcay iptsscray, ereaswhay ethay iptsscray emselvesthay ouldshay evernay ebay ivilegedpray otay ominateday erhay ecision-makingday ocessespray.

Uggestionssay orfay iptingscray ASMAyay includeyay:

1. engagingyay inyay ayerpray, editationmay (uchsay asyay ethay Ahbayá'í dhayikryay ofyay 'Allyayáu'Abhh'ayá inety-five-timesnay erpay ayday), udystay ofyay ethay Ahbayá'í ipturesscray, andyay ervicesay otay ethay Ausecay ofyay Odgay (amr'u'llyayáhay)
2. oluntarilyvay urrenderingsay one'syay ersonalpay illway otay ethay Illway ofyay Odgay (insh'allyayáhay), ethay Ovenantcay (ahdyay), includingyay onformingcay one'syay ehaviorbay otay ethay irectivesday ofyay ethay Eadhay ofyay ethay Aithfay (ethay Universalyay Ousehay ofyay Usticejay)
3. espectingray, ithoutway ondemnationcay oryay udgementjay, iveseday ucturizationsstray ofyay ealityray andyay owledgeknay, etherwhay ybay Ahbayá'ísay oryay othersyay, andyay ecognizingray atthay allyay uthtray onstructionscay areyay ubjectsay otay ayay ieredtay elativismray™ ofyay ivineday andyay umanhay illsway
4. illfullyway andyay ositivelypay ucturizingstray one'syay ifelay andyay experiencesyay (enamingray oryay ociallysay econstructingray ealityray), ocusingfay onyay (inkingthay aboutyay andyay ovinglay) olution-basedsay ucturizationsstray atherray anthay oblematicpray onesyay, andyay oceedingpray otay odifymay one'syay actionsyay accordinglyyay

Additionallyyay, ayay ectionsay ofyay ASMAyay illway ovidepray ayay udimentaryray introductionyay otay Arabicyay andyay Ersianpay andyay otay ethay istoryhay andyay ulturecay ofyay ethay Ebensweltenlay (ifeworldslay) ofyay Ahbayá'u'llyayáhay, ethay bayábay, andyay `Abdu'l-Bahyayá. Ethay objectiveyay illway ebay otay eparepray ethay articipantpay orfay ubsequentsay ontextualizedcay udiesstay ofyay ethay inguisticlay andyay istoricalhay ucturizationsstray ofyay ethay Ahbayá'í extstay. Anchbray oursescay ancay addressyay imensionsday ofyay esethay opicstay inyay eatergray epthday.

Urthermorefay, anotheryay ectionsay ofyay isthay ogrampray illway, akingtay ayay ostanarchistpay andpointstay epistemologyyay, onsidercay ethay estructurizationday™, oryay econstructionday, ofyay ethay ontemporarycay obalglay iscourseday andyay itsyay embeddedyay owerpay, includingyay ethay ation-statenay ystemsay andyay itsyay ysfunctionalday ubtextsay ofyay ationalnay overeigntysay. Enthay, abandoningyay ostanarchismpay, ityay illway onsidercay etherwhay ariousvay ocessespray ofyay estructurizationray™, oryay econstructionray, ightmay oducepray onoppressivenay, oryay inimallymay oppressiveyay, ystemssay ofyay iscoursiveday owerpay asedbay, otnay onyay ayay ewnay etanarrativemay, utbay onyay etssay ofyay oluntaryvay elationshipsray.

Ethay ansformationaltray iritualityspay urveyedsay inyay isthay aperpay, ASMAyay ithway itsyay edagogypay ofyay ASMAyay♦Ainingtray™, isyay otnay intendedyay asyay ayay ogrampray orfay ethay assesmay. Ityay isyay, atherray, esignedday orfay uchsay intellectuallyyay orientedyay individualsyay ithway ayay eenkay interestyay inyay itsyay ubjectsay attermay. Ybay urveyingsay ethay articipatorypay elementsyay ofyay iritualspay andyay ocialsay ucturizationstray (onstructioncay), ariousvay ontentcay eliveryday ystemssay, includingyay eminarssay andyay orkshopsway14, illway, overyay imetay, ebay evelopedday, andyay ersonspay illway ebay ualifiedqay asyay ASMAyay Ainerstray™.

1ASMAyay isyay ovinglylay edicatedday otay ymay iritualspay othermay andyay entormay, ethay atelay Elizabethyay Omasthay ofyay Anhassetmay, Onglay Islandyay. Elizabethyay, avinghay introducedyay emay otay Arianmay Ippittlay andyay Enryhay Eilway andyay otay eirthay espectiveray orkway, alwaysyay encouragedyay emay otay onductcay originalyay Ahbayá'í eepeningday ojectspray, otay akemay ersonalpay ompilationscay ofyay ethay Ahbayá'í iteraturelay, otay eviseday innovativeyay erminologiestay, andyay otay arriveyay atyay ymay ownyay interpretationsyay ofyay Ahbayá'í ubjectsay attermay andyay otnay implysay otay elyray onyay erhay ownyay, onyay Arian'smay, oryay onyay Enry'shay iewsvay. Ereway ityay otnay orfay ymay iendshipfray ithway Elizabethyay, ymay Ahbayá'í ifelay ightmay avehay akentay ayay ignificantlysay ifferentday andyay onsiderablycay esslay interestingyay urntay.

2Ethay Ucturizationstray Instituteyay isyay anyay agencyyay ofyay Ethay ArkFostermay.ETworkNAY™. Ityay isyay otnay ayay Ahbayá'í instituteyay.

3ASMAyay ashay onay elationray otay Uhiray, ornay isyay ityay eingbay uggestedsay atthay ASMAyay ouldshay ebay incorporatedyay intoyay, oryay ecomebay ayay anchbray oursecay ofyay, ethay Uhiray urriculumcay.

4say♦Aradigmpay™

5Ymay ermtay, arrativenay iritualityspay, isyay adaptedyay omfray arrativenay eologythay.

6Emergentyay eologythay ashay originatedyay ithinway ethay ost-evangelicalpay emergingyay urchchay. Althoughyay ayay itbay implisticsay, ilewhay eoliberalnay eologythay amecay outyay ofyay iberallay eologythay, emergentyay, oryay emergingyay, eologythay evelopedday outyay ofyay evangelicalismyay. Othbay arrativenay eologiesthay appearyay otay ebay eetingmay inyay ayay ostmodernpay, oststructuralpay entercay. Ityay isyay omfray ethay emergingyay urchchay ovementmay, atthay Iyay evelopedday ethay onceptcay ofyay anyay emergentyay ommunitycay. day.Ayay. Arsoncay explainsyay ethay emergentyay urchchay inyay isthay ayway:

Intpray isthay Agepay