1) Challenging Traditional Interpretations: The video directly addresses the common theological arguments that Jesus's ability to forgive sins and raise the dead proves his divinity. It presents counterarguments, suggesting that these actions do not necessarily equate to Godhood, as similar actions are attributed to other figures in both the Old and New Testaments. 2) Forgiveness of Sins: The presenter analyzes biblical passages where Jesus forgives sins, and then compares those passages to Old ...
Apr 05, 2025•1 hr 8 min
An introductory study of the station of the Manifestation of God as found in the Bible. Here, we explore the concepts of the Trinity and Jesus' station before, throughout, and after His ministry. Sections: 1:08 Baháʼí Quotes on this subject 10:10 Pre-existence of Christ 15:11 Before Abraham was born, I am 32:31 Image of and Equality with God 46:50 God’s Mystery, Fullness of Godhead 58:13 Word with God and is God 1:10:56 I and the Father are One 1:22:56 See Jesus, See the Father. Father in Me and...
Mar 23, 2025•1 hr 45 min
A brief introductory study of the station of the Manifestation of God as found in the Bible. Here we explore the concepts of the Trinity and Jesus' station before, throughout, and after His ministry. Sections: 0:00 Intro 0:51 Parable of the God of Jesus Christ 3:47 Quotes from the Bible 19:57 Summary Download MP3 and PDF: https://tinyurl.com/5bks9hn3 Links: Podcast (apple): https://goo.gl/CM4TmV Podcast (android): https://goo.gl/ovLmps Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/bridgingbeliefs Facebook: h...
Mar 16, 2025•25 min
A brief introductory discussion on the challenges with the claim of the oneness of religion, or the unity of religions. To claim that all religions come from the same source seems to be impossible to establish, given their foundational teachings (and even theologies) are so fundamentally different and even contradictory. Podcast (apple): https://goo.gl/CM4TmV Podcast (android): https://goo.gl/ovLmps Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/bridgingbeliefs Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BridgingBelie...
Mar 02, 2025•1 hr 4 min
Sections: 00:00 Intro 1:23 Reducing or Raising 9:33 Sagacity in Salvation 18:42 Baha'i Cosmology (Manifestationology) 1:19:06 The Grand Synopsis - The Prior Presentation Link to PDF: https://tinyurl.com/5bks9hn3 Why is Theology or Cosmology important – ethics vs. unity. A return to the origin. Not bound by Councils and Creeds, Articles of Faith nor Pope, Mulla, or Mujtahid. The Scriptures are all mankind’s inheritance. I previously presented on the Cosmology. I pull directly, without repeat just...
Feb 16, 2025•1 hr 36 min
A brief introductory discussion on the phrase "prostitution of the arts" as found in the writings of Shoghi Effendi. What is art and music that is degraded, and how one can discern it from good art? “It condemns the prostitution of art and of literature, the practices of nudism and of companionate marriage, infidelity in marital relationships, and all manner of promiscuity, of easy familiarity, and of sexual vices. It can tolerate no compromise with the theories, the standards, the habits, and t...
Feb 02, 2025•59 min
Sections: 55:00 Summary of all the Texts cited 1:03:27 Conclusion Why is Theology or Cosmology important – ethics vs. unity. A return to the origin. Not bound by Councils and Creeds, Articles of Faith nor Pope, Mulla, or Mujtahid. The Scriptures are all mankind’s inheritance. I previously presented on the Cosmology. I pull directly, without repeat justification. They were foundation for presentations like this. Jewish Heritage for understanding the New Testament’s Claim regarding Jesus Christ. A...
Jan 15, 2025•1 hr 10 min
A discussion with Rob Cacchioni and Shahrooz Shadbakht on the subject of the Divine Assayer found in the Baha'i Writings. The Divine Assayer is an allegory used to describe how God tests mankind when He makes Himself manifest to his creation. Podcast (apple): https://goo.gl/CM4TmV Podcast (android): https://goo.gl/ovLmps Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/bridgingbeliefs Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BridgingBeliefs9 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bridgingbeliefs9/ Twitter: https://twit...
Apr 19, 2024•44 min
Part 2 of this deepening on Evolution. What does the Baha'i Faith teach about evolution and the nature of man? We examine the Baha'i Texts on the matter which will hopefully dispel some myths and re-frame the perspective on science and what it means to be "human". Sections: 0:23 Introduction 5:16 Problems Remain 8:44 Missing Link 16:19 The Embryos, the Matrix, and Man 39:06 A Summary of Definitions 47:41 Conclusion Download MP3 and PDF here: https://bit.ly/3kmaYA9 Podcast (apple): https://goo.gl...
Jan 29, 2024•51 min
What does the Baha'i Faith teach about the science of evolution? We examine the Baha'i Texts on the matter which will hopefully dispel some myths and re-frame the perspective on science and what it means to be "human". Sections: 1:35 Introduction 11:13 An Ironic Foreshadow 13:10 Man was in the Animal Kingdom 25:50 Function, not Form 43:12 What is ‘Man’? 51:27 ‘Abdu'l-Bahá’s Admonishment 57:42 Stages from ‘man’ to ‘Man’ 1:03:24 Man is an Emergent Property 1:23:20 Billion Years from Now - Obvious ...
Sep 20, 2021•1 hr 40 min•Season 1Ep. 23
Exploring a curious Qur'anic quote, we uncover how Islam addresses exclusivity in Judaism and Christianity through an argument first posited by the Apostle Paul. This same argument then speaks to the Islamic community and solves an Islamic objection to the Baha'i Faith: "You shall have no religion except Islam." Sections: 2:20 Introduction 9:12 Who or What is a Muslim? 16:43 Old Wine, New Wineskins, and the Divine Assayer 52:00 The Faith of Saintly Abraham 58:42 Abraham and Paul: The Epistle to ...
Mar 26, 2021•2 hr 7 min
Part 4 and final episode of a multi-series presentation on this subject. Time stamps below 👇 Spiritual Cosmology examines the structure of reality, it's different stations and realms of Being: God, Manifestations, Prophets, etc. We explore its importance, how it furthers world unity, and lays out a basic Baha'i model. Sections: 1. 3:31 The Primal Will - The Central Orb 2. 13:04 Repudiation of Divinity 3. 18:45 The Function of the Manifestation 4. 28:39 Pre-existence - The Manifestations 5. 34:0...
Jan 18, 2021•1 hr 18 min•Season 1Ep. 28
Part 3 of a multi-series presentation on this subject. Time stamps below 👇 Spiritual Cosmology examines the structure of reality, it's different stations and realms of Being: God, Angels, Manifestations, Prophets, etc. We explore its importance, how it furthers world unity, and lays out a basic Baha'i model. Sections: 1. 3:07 Multiple Instantiation and Láhút 2. 37:18 Summary Download MP3 and PDF here: https://bit.ly/39i0SYB Baha’i Cosmology Wiki: https://bit.ly/2UGNEPx Podcast (apple): https://...
Apr 16, 2020•52 min•Season 1Ep. 27
Part 2 of a multi-series presentation on this subject. Time stamps below 👇 Spiritual Cosmology examines the structure of reality, it's different stations and realms of Being: God, Angels, Manifestations, Prophets, etc. We explore its importance, how it furthers world unity, and lays out a basic Baha'i model. Sections: 1. 0:15 Review of Part 1 2. 6:50 Háhút - The Unknowable Essence 3. 29:10 Meta-Reality 4. 54:14 Final Thoughts Download MP3 and PDF here: https://bit.ly/39i0SYB Baha’i Cosmology Wi...
Apr 10, 2020•55 min•Season 1Ep. 26
Part 1 of a multi-series presentation on this subject. Time stamps below 👇 Spiritual Cosmology examines the structure of reality, it's different stations and realms of Being: God, Angels, Manifestations, Prophets, etc We explore its importance, how it furthers world unity, and lays out a basic Baha'i model. Sections: 1. 0:31 Introduction 2. 2:01 Unity of Religion Problems 3. 3:41 Shallow Unity 4. 6:26 Heliocentric vs Geocentric 5. 10:52 Inherent - Not Ad Hoc 6. 13:09 Different Models 7. 14:59 5...
Mar 26, 2020•22 min•Season 1Ep. 25
Why does God need to be praised all the time? The secular mind may, understandably, find this odd, even narcissistic. We examine how the Baha'i Scriptures deal with this query. Sections: 1. 1:39 Peculiar Practice of Prayer 2. 2:29 Work, Service, and Arts are Worship 3. 3:36 The Mysticism of Prayer 4. 4:56 Doesn’t God Know What You Want? 5. 9:05 Even if it Lead to Fire 6. 12:37 Building Your Best Self 7. 19:48 Look to the Ocean of Attributes 8. 32:57 Highest Thoughts and Deepest Prayers 9. 38:14 ...
Mar 08, 2020•57 min•Season 1Ep. 24
Part 4 of a multi-series presentation on this subject. Time stamps below 👇 I examine the concept of "the Seal of the Prophets" an understandable and widespread Muslim objection that no Messenger of God can come after the Prophet Muhammad. Here we also examine evidence in the Qur'an that points to the need for investigation of the Day of Judgement. The Qur'an enjoins investigating "Tidings" of God's Revelation - even from a wicked (or profligate) man. We look at 2 possible exceptions to this int...
Mar 05, 2020•35 min•Season 1Ep. 25
Part 3 of a multi-series presentation on this subject. I examine the concept of "the Seal of the Prophets" an understandable and widespread Muslim objection that no Messenger of God can come after the Prophet Muhammad. We examine Qur'anic passages and the Baha'i Scriptures related to this paramount theme. Sections: 1. 0:35 Review 2. 4:17 "A Wicked Man Comes with News" 3. 12:05 The Word Study - Naba' 4. 28:29 Unseen Truths 5. 32:05 The Great News 6. 48:10 Summary Download MP3 and PDF here: https:...
Nov 18, 2019•1 hr 11 min•Season 1Ep. 23
Part 2 of a multi-series presentation on this subject. I examine the concept of "the Seal of the Prophets" an understandable and widespread Muslim objection that no Messenger of God can come after the Prophet Muhammad. We examine Qur'anic passages and the Baha'i Scriptures related to this paramount theme. Sections: 1. 0:44 The Surah of Hud Sufficeth 2. 5:06 The Surah of Hud 3. 18:29 The Story of Noah, Ad, and Thamud 4. 24:12 The Drumbeat and the Irrelevant Lesson 5. 49:52 You Shall See No Change...
Oct 29, 2019•59 min•Season 1Ep. 22
Part 1 of a multi-series presentation on this subject. I examine the concept of "the Seal of the Prophets" an understandable and widespread Muslim objection that no Messenger of God can come after the Prophet Muhammad. We examine Qur'anic passages and the Baha'i Scriptures related to this paramount theme. Sections: 1. 1:18 The Problem 2. 1:53 Agreement on “Seal” 3. 6:04 Qur’an, Hadith, and Tradition 4. 9:39 The Beloved’s Appeal 5. 13:30 Root Words and Word Families 6. 19:25 The Seal of Prophets ...
Apr 24, 2019•1 hr 22 min•Season 1Ep. 20
Regardless of our beliefs - Baha'i, Atheist, Christian, Secular, Buddhist, or Jewish - we must strive to pass through the stages of knowledge, understanding, and to find the beauty others see in their beliefs. Only then can we truly grasp why people adhere to theses beliefs and understand human psychology. This is independent of whether the belief is true or not. To be genuine global citizens, walking the stages of this path - knowledge, understanding, and beauty - is essential. Sections: 1. 1:1...
Feb 16, 2019•25 min•Season 1Ep. 19
Passionate believers seek to spread their beliefs, often antagonizing those who don’t agree. They “push their beliefs” on others. Do only religious or political people do so? How is sharing one’s belief system (proclamation) congruent with social progress and being a genuine person? What is proselytizing? How is this related to truth claims? Can this be used as a brushoff tactic to simply avoid investigation? Sections: 1:22 Teaching vs Proselytizing 9:53 Understand Intention 13:31 Why I Share - ...
Oct 19, 2018•49 min•Season 1Ep. 18
Are religious people conformists, sheep following the herd, upholding the status quo? Do only religious people do this? Further, did people in power create religion to control the masses? Does history uphold either of these claim? Sections: 0:25 Anyone Can be Sheep 1:30 It Doesn't Imply it's True or False 2:13 Ethics and Societal Norms 4:33 'Religion: Created by Those in Power' 9:12 Conclusion Download MP3 and PDF here YouTube Patreon Facebook Instagram Twitter Official Bahá'í website Ambient mu...
Oct 17, 2018•10 min•Season 1Ep. 17
Some people offer 'psychological needs' for why others accept religion. This leads them to ignore religion's truth-claims, and takes the place of rational investigation. In such cases they can as brush-off tactics. However, the psychoanalysis of unbelief can ignore secular arguments against religion. I propose that psychoanalysis of thought is not fruitful and stunts critical investigation and therefore should be dropped. Sections: 2:10 Ineffectiveness of Psychoanalysis of Belief 10:26 "Meaning ...
Oct 15, 2018•50 min•Season 1Ep. 16
Do we have a duty to investigate? And when trying to understand others' perspectives and beliefs should we find the most rational representation of it or point at the silliest easiest versions? These questions will be explored in this video. Sections: 2:49 Duty of Inquiry and Sincerity 13:33 Interpretation of Texts Download MP3 and PDF here YouTube Patreon Facebook Instagram Twitter Official Bahá'í website Ambient music: “Celtic Music | Ancient Forest | Celtic Lute & Guitar Music” by Soul Ca...
Oct 13, 2018•23 min•Season 1Ep. 15
According to many Muslims (not all), their understanding of the Qur'an 4:157 is that it denies Jesus' crucifixion, however the Bible not only believes in it but emphasizes it as central! How can these two Holy Books be reconciled? Sections: 1. 1:08 Text in Question 2. 7:44 The Bahá'í Interpretation 3. 11:08 The Same Fruit - Consistent with Self - A Harmonious Whole 4. 24:13 "Christ's Life isn't Central in the Qur'an" Addendum: 5. 30:08 The Arabic - Similarities 6. 34:28 The Arabic - Types and To...
Oct 11, 2018•53 min•Season 1Ep. 14
There are multiple aspects to this concern. One is that “inherently by being religious you’re X religion and therefore not Y religion, placing people into categories or camps of Us and Them, which makes religion essentially divisive.” So to be secular is seen as being neutral. We'll examine the Bahá'í Writings and see what they say on this issue as we try to resolve this understandable apprehension. Sections: 2:16 Empathy and Agreement 17:11 The 6 O'clock News and Masks of Madness 20:43 False Ne...
Oct 08, 2018•1 hr 40 min•Season 1Ep. 13
A brief introductory study of The Unity of Religion in the Bahá'í Writings. I will first present what the "Unity of Religion" briefly is, and subsequently will discuss the barriers and bridges to this concept. Sections: 1:09 One Common Faith - What is "The Unity of Religion"? 32:01 Does Not Invalidate 1:08:49 Independent Investigation of Truth 1:34:37 Secularism, Rationality, and Religion 1:43:22 Syncretism 2:04:34 Empathy with Oddity and Incredulity 2:56:09 Textual Empiricism 3:05:31 Progressiv...
Sep 18, 2018•4 hr 50 min•Season 1Ep. 12
A brief introductory study of the "worlds beyond", "next world", or "life after death" in the Bahá'í Writings. This is the full presentation, all 7 parts. Sections: 0:44 Intro 1:13 The Great Beyond - An Apt Expression 3:29 The Womb and the World - The Limits of Knowing 12:25 No Physical Form - Made Up of Heavenly Elements 16:50 World of Exemplars - the Heavenly Body of Man 24:13 Reunited with Loved Ones - Greater Development for Them 28:55 Time in Next World - Though Different 32:08 Souls Foster...
Aug 08, 2018•5 hr 12 min•Season 1Ep. 11
What does the Qur'an say about the Bible - the Jewish and Christian Scriptures? Some Muslims claim these Texts have been corrupted. We look at the Qur'an and the Bahá’í Writings and see the validity of the Bible confirmed. We find that, when the Qur'an speaks of "corruption of the Texts" this refers to corruption of the meaning through interpretation. The meaning has been warped and twisted. On a related note, the same passages show Muslims cannot judge non-Muslims according to Islamic Law. Sect...
Aug 05, 2018•44 min•Season 1Ep. 10
