The Challenge of Baha’u’llah By Gary L. Matthews

This book presents a detailed approach to the study of Baha’u’llah’s claim of divine revelation. The “challenge” of the title is both an examination of the veracity of His claim and its meaning to the world of humanity. The author provides historical data and background, then approaches Baha’u’llah and His revelation from the possible perspective of a skeptic, attempting to examine His life, person, and writings from a rational and objective perspective.

Through a detailed and numerous set of prophecies of both events and discoveries that have since proven correct, as well as an examination of who Baha’u’llah was during his life, His writings, and His influence, Gary Matthews speaks to the rational side of the process a seeker might go through to become convinced of the truth of Baha’u’llah’s claim. He also acknowledges religious belief from the heart rather than the mind, and appears convinced of the authenticity of both approaches, using both in his personal belief system. The book seems quite detailed for people who are already Baha’is, but the information is interesting and probably of special use to seekers. It is well-organized, and often includes a summary at the end of a chapter.

From the book:

This book argues that anyone who really wishes to do so can find out whether Baha’u’llah was telling the truth about His identity. It further argues that in a world pregnant with promise on the one hand and dissolving in chaos on the other, we cannot afford to skirt the issue: We need to know whether He really was a Messenger from God. The stakes are extraordinarily high. Moreover, this is an issue that confronts each individual human being.

 
Available at the Bahá’í Center of Washtenaw County Bookstore