istiqlál, 17 Masáʼil (Questions), 181 B.E.
Walking Together on a Path of Service
Quotes for Reflection
AND now, concerning thy question regarding the creation of man. Know thou that all men have been created in the nature made by God, the Guardian, the Self-Subsisting. Unto each one hath been prescribed a preordained measure, as decreed in God’s mighty and guarded Tablets. All that which ye potentially possess can, however, be manifested only as a result of your own volition. Your own acts testify to this truth. Consider, for instance, that which hath been forbidden, in the Bayán, unto men. God hath in that Book, and by His behest, decreed as lawful whatsoever He hath pleased to decree, and hath, through the power of His sovereign might, forbidden whatsoever He elected to forbid. To this testifieth the text of that Book. Will ye not bear witness? Men, however, have wittingly broken His law. Is such a behavior to be attributed to God, or to their proper selves? Be fair in your judgment. Every good thing is of God, and every evil thing is from yourselves. Will ye not comprehend? This same truth hath been revealed in all the Scriptures, if ye be of them that understand. Every act ye meditate is as clear to Him as is that act when already accomplished. There is none other God besides Him. His is all creation and its empire. All stands revealed before Him; all is recorded in His holy and hidden Tablets. This foreknowledge of God, however, should not be regarded as having caused the actions of men, just as your own previous knowledge that a certain event is to occur, or your desire that it should happen, is not and can never be the reason for its occurrence. — Bahá’u’lláh 1
Indulge not your bodies with rest, but work with all your souls, and with all your hearts cry out and beg of God to grant you His succor and grace. Thus may ye make this world the Abhá Paradise, and this globe of earth the parade ground of the realm on high. If only ye exert the effort, it is certain that these splendors will shine out, these clouds of mercy will shed down their rain, these life-giving winds will rise and blow, this sweet-smelling musk will be scattered far and wide. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá 2
Moreover, man’s stillness or motion itself is conditioned upon the aid of God. Should this assistance fail to reach him, he can do neither good nor evil. But when the assistance of the all-bounteous Lord confers existence upon man, he is capable of both good and evil. And should that assistance be cut off, he would become absolutely powerless. That is why the aid and assistance of God are mentioned in the Sacred Scriptures. This condition can be likened to that of a ship that moves by the power of wind or steam. Should this power be cut off, the ship would become entirely unable to move. Nevertheless, in whatever direction the rudder is turned, the power of the steam propels the ship in that direction. If the rudder is turned to the east, the ship moves eastward, and if it is directed to the west, the ship moves west. This motion does not arise from the ship itself, but from the wind or steam.
In like manner, all the doings of man are sustained by the power of divine assistance, but the choice of good or evil belongs to him alone. It is like when the king appoints an individual as governor of a city, grants him full authority, and shows him that which is just and unjust according to the law. Now, should the governor commit injustice, even though he acts by the power and authority of the king, yet the king would not condone his injustice. And should the governor act with justice, this too would be through the royal authority, and the king would be well pleased and satisfied with his justice. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá 3
Questions for Consideration
Does the fact that God already knows one’s capacity to acquire heavenly perfections mean that their acquisition is not in one’s power but in His? Does one have the free will to either develop one’s spiritual capacity or not? Does the fact that one has free will imply that one is responsible to God for one’s choices in life? 4
Perplexity Pro Response 5
Free Will and Divine Foreknowledge
The complex interplay between divine foreknowledge and human free will has long been a subject of theological and philosophical debate, raising questions about personal responsibility and spiritual growth. As reported by various religious sources, this topic explores whether God’s omniscience conflicts with individual choice, and how it impacts one’s ability to develop spiritually and be held accountable for their actions.
God’s Foreknowledge and Human Free Will
According to Bahá’í teachings, God’s foreknowledge does not negate human free will or predetermine our actions. While God knows our potential and future choices, this knowledge does not cause or compel those choices [2]. The relationship between divine omniscience and human agency is likened to a ship propelled by wind or steam, where God provides the power, but individuals steer their own course [1]. This perspective maintains that people have the ability to freely choose between options, and God’s foreknowledge simply encompasses the choices we will make of our own volition, without causing them [1] [2].
Developing Spiritual Capacity
Individuals possess the inherent ability to cultivate their spiritual potential through personal volition, as emphasized in Bahá’í teachings. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá states, “All that which ye potentially possess can, however, be manifested only as a result of your own volition,” highlighting the crucial role of individual choice in spiritual growth [2]. This process of spiritual development is described as a dynamic interplay between human effort and divine assistance. While God’s aid is essential for spiritual progress, the direction and extent of that growth are determined by personal decisions and actions [3]. The metaphor of a ship propelled by wind or steam illustrates this concept, where divine power provides the energy, but individuals steer their course through life’s spiritual journey [1].
Free Will and Responsibility
The concept of free will in religious teachings implies that individuals are accountable to God for their choices and actions. This responsibility stems from the belief that humans have been granted the capacity to make decisions and shape their spiritual destiny. Bahá’í writings emphasize this accountability, stating, “Every act ye meditate is as clear to Him as is that act when already accomplished.” [2] This suggests that even our intentions, before they manifest as actions, are known to God and form part of our spiritual record. The notion of divine judgment in many faith traditions is rooted in this premise of human free will, asserting that individuals bear the consequences of their choices in both this life and the hereafter. [4] [8]
Reconciling Divine Foreknowledge and Human Responsibility
Reconciling divine foreknowledge with human accountability involves nuanced theological perspectives. Some theologians argue that God’s knowledge of our choices doesn’t cause those choices, likening it to a barometer that predicts but doesn’t determine weather [7]. Others propose that God exists outside of time, allowing Him to know our choices without influencing them [4]. The Bahá’í teachings offer a balanced view, acknowledging both divine assistance and human volition: “The condition can be likened to that of a ship that moves by the power of wind or steam. Should this power be cut off, the ship would become entirely unable to move. Nevertheless, in whatever direction the rudder is turned, the power of the steam propels the ship in that direction.” [1] This metaphor illustrates how divine power enables action, while human will directs its course.
In conclusion, while God knows our capacity for spiritual growth and the choices we will make, this knowledge does not negate our free will or absolve us of responsibility. We have the power to choose our spiritual path, and we are accountable for those choices, even as we rely on divine assistance in our spiritual journey.
Citations
[1] Some Answered Questions – Bahá’í Reference Library
[2] Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh – Bahá’í Reference Library
[3] Can God Know Everything and Still Give us Free Will? – The Gospel Coalition
[4] Stuck in God’s Knowledge: Foreknowledge & Free Will – The Collector
[6] Selections from the Writings of ʻAbduʼl-Bahá – Bahá’í Reference Library
[7] Doctrine of God (Part 14): Divine Foreknowledge and Human Freedom – REASONABLE Faith
[8] Foreknowledge and Free Will – Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy
[9] Does Free Will Exist? – desiringGod
[10] How can I reconcile God’s foreknowledge and man’s free will? – EVIDENCE FOR CHRISTIANITY
Follow-Up Questions Proposed by Perplexity
- How does one balance the concept of free will with the idea that God already knows one’s capacity for spiritual growth?
- Can one’s choices in life truly be considered free if God already knows the outcome?
- What role does personal responsibility play in spiritual development according to religious teachings?
- How do different religions address the relationship between free will and divine knowledge?
- Is it possible to develop one’s spiritual capacity without God’s prior knowledge?
- How does foreknowledge impact human responsibility?
- Can divine foreknowledge influence human behavior?
- What is the relationship between divine guidance and human choice?
- How do Bahá’í teachings address the paradox of free will and predetermination?
- How does the concept of divine assistance affect moral accountability?
- Bahá’u’lláh. Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh. Translated by Shoghi Effendi. Bahá’í Reference Library, 1935. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/gleanings-writings-bahaullah/4#919240596. ↩
- ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Selections from the Writings of ʻAbduʼl-Bahá. Translated by Marzieh Gail. Reprint. Wilmette, Illinois: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1996, 245. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/selections-writings-abdul-baha/8#548127291. ↩
- ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Some Answered Questions. Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed December 25, 2024. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/some-answered-questions/11#183731844. ↩
- Ruhi Institute. Walking Together on a Path of Service. 2.1.1.PE February 2024. Vol. Book 7. 14 vols. Embarking on a Path of Service. Cali, Columbia: Ruhi Foundation, 2024, 23-26. Download PDF. ↩
- Perplexity Pro. “Does the fact that God already knows one’s capacity to acquire heavenly perfections mean that their acquisition is not in one’s power but in His? Does one have the free will to either develop one’s spiritual capacity or not? Does the fact that one has free will imply that one is responsible to God for one’s choices in life?” Edited by Steve Bosserman. December 25, 2024. ↩
Frameworks for Understanding the World 