Paradise and Paradigm : Key Symbols in

Christopher Buck is Assistant Professor in the Department of Religion at Millikin University. He is the author of Symbol and Secret: Qur'an Commentary in Baha'u'llah's Kitab-i Iqan, the 1996 Baha'i Book of the Year. Buck is also a two-time recipient of the Award for Excellence in Baha'i Studies, presented by the Association for Baha'i Studies.

Acknowledgments

xiii

I. Comparing Paradises

1

(36)

1.0 Objective

1.1 Paradises and Paradigms

1.2 Systems of Symbols

1.3 Key Symbols

1.4 Dimensional Model

1.5 Symbolic Profiles

1.6 Worldview Comparison

1.7 Symbolic Transformation as Paradigm Shift

II. A Historical Profile of Syriac Christianity

37

(48)

2.0 Syriac Christianity

2.1 Ephrem the Syrian and Aphrahat, "the Persian Sage"

2.2 Syriac Christianity as a Mesopotamian Response to Late Antiquity

2.3 The Universality of the Church of the East: How Persian was Persian Christianity?

III. A Symbolic Profile of Syriac Christianity

85

(50)

3.0 Syriac.Symbol Theory

Key Scenarios

3.1 Doctrinal: The Way

3.2 Ritual: Robe of Glory

3.3 Ethical: Sons/Daughters of the Covenant

3.4 Experiential: The Wedding Feast

3.5 Mythic: Harrowing of Hell

3.6 Social: Noah's Ark/Mariner

Root Metaphors

3.7 Doctrinal: Physician

3.8 Ritual: Medicine of Life

3.9 Ethical: The Mirror

3.10 Experiential: The Pearl

3.11 Mythic: Tree of Life

3.12 Social: Paradise

3.13 The Syriac Paradigm of Purity

IV. A Historical Profile of the Baha'i Faith

135

(46)

4.0 Introduction

4.1 Baha'u'llah

4.2 The Baha'i Faith as a Response to Modernity

V. A Symbolic Profile of the Baha'i Faith

181

(46)

5.0 Baha'i Symbol Theory

Key Scenarios

5.1 Doctrinal: The Promised One

5.2 Ritual: The Covenant

5.3 Ethical: Illumination

5.4 Experiential: Lover and the Beloved

5.5 Mythic: The Maid of Heaven

5.6 Social: The Crimson Ark and the Holy Mariner

Root Metaphors

5.7 Doctrinal: Physician

5.8 Ritual: Wine/Water of Life

5.9 Ethical: Mirror/Gems

5.10 Experiential: The Journey

5.11 Mythic: Lote-Tree/Sinai

5.12 Social: Paradise

5.13 The Baha'i Paradigm of Unity

VI. Paradise Similarities and Paradigm Differences

227

(32)

6.0 Procedure for Dimensional Analysis

6.1 Doctrinal

6.2 Ritual

6.3 Ethical

6.4 Experiential

6.5 Mythic

6.6 Social

VII. Paradise and Paradigm

259

(54)

7.0 Introduction

7.1 Sapiential Theosis: A New Reading of Ephrem the Syrian's Hymns on Paradise

7.2 Paradise and Society in Baha'i Texts

VIII. Conclusions

313

(18)

8.0 Interpretation of Results

8.1 Evaluation of Research Design

8.2 Counterindications

8.3 Suggestions for Further Study

8.4 Relevance to the Study of Religion

Appendixes

331

(20)

I. Abbreviations

331

(8)

II. Syriac Transliteration Scheme

339

(2)

III. Arabic/Persian Transliteration Scheme

341

(4)

IV. Fragments of a Lost Persian Christian Liturgy

345

(6)

Works Cited

351

(30)

Index

381

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Paradise and Paradigm : Key Symbols in Persian Christianity and the Baha'i Faith

Author Biography

Table of Contents

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