CONTENTS 1 FRONT PAGE ¤ ABS(ESE) Annual Conference    Advance Notice and Call for Papers 2 BOOK REVIEW ¤ Scripture and Revelation    edited by Moojan Momen 3 ¤ Recent Publications ¤ Report from the Oxford Conference ¤ Report on BIPOLIG || Associate Index || Baha'i Studies Review ||	News from Australia ABS Australia Journal The Association of Bahá’í Studies Australia’s journal Australian Bahá’í Studies (volume 1 number 2) contains articles on human rights, social and economic development, drug abuse, and the Bahá’í community. Their annual conference on ‘Health, Healing and Religion’ will be on 29 September to 1 October.
New Journal - Speak The Society of Bahá’í Studies, University of Western Australia, has launched a journal called Speak which it hopes will be an avenue through which youth can explore and discuss how Bahá’í teachings and principles can be applied to solve issues that are current in society. The journal is available at AU$10 from SBS UWA, Box 5, Guild Village, UWA, Nedlands 6907, Australia. Certificate Programme in Community Development Yerrinbool Bahá’í Centre of Learning, 7 February – 30 November 2001. The NSA of Australia welcomes adult students as participants in the newly developed certificate programme. Applications must reach the Board of Studies office no later than 1 October 2000. MRs Shohreh Tala’I, 32 Gasnier Rd., Barrack Heights, NSW, 2528, Australia. E-mail: shohreht@bahai.org.au. Tel. 02 4297 0215. Fax. 02 4297 0296. http://ybcl.bahai.org.au/. News from Ireland ADVANCE NOTICE and CALL FOR PAPERS The Bahá’í Community Now - Its Principles and Practice 27-29 October 2000 Venue: Letterkenny Bahá’í Centre, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, Republic of Ireland The Conference will be held in one of the most beautiful counties in Ireland. We invite submissions for papers, presentations and workshops - topics are open. Participants will also have the opportunity to discuss Bahá’í studies in Ireland. Please send your submissions by September 29th to the Conference Registrar, Edwin McCloughan, at 14 High Road, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, Republic of Ireland or to emcclou@tinet.ie There is a limited number of places, which will be reserved for participants in the first instance. ADVANCE NOTICE The Covenant February 2001 – exact date to be arranged Venue: Ireland – exact venue to be arranged This is an opportunity not to be missed: Author and renowned scholar Todd Lawson will co-ordinate a study weekend on the Covenant next February 2001. A reading pack and further details will be available in the next few months. The Wilmette Institute We are pleased to announce the final course in our ‘Studying the Writings of Shoghi Effendi series’, on the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh. The United States National Spiritual Assembly has recommended that all American Bahá’ís deepen on this book this summer, and we at the Wilmette Institute are happy to be able to offer a program of directed study to accompany this request. Below you can find a press release about this course. For more information, please write to info@wilmetteinstitute.org or call toll- free 1-877-WILMETTE x1 during the afternoon or evening Eastern Time. To apply for the course, please visit http://wilmetteinstitute.org/applications/. Thanks, and we look forward to seeing you in class!     Sincerely,         Jonah Winters, registrar Wilmette Institute Studies in the Bahá’í Faith Program Exploring Shoghi Effendi's Writings Course Series Introduction to The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh TOPIC: The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh is perhaps the most important work by Shoghi Effendi. It consists of seven letters penned between 1930 and 1936 to the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada. The letters treat some of the most important subjects addressed by the Guardian: the stations of Bahá’u’lláh, the Báb, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and the Administrative Order, which otherwise might never have been grasped clearly; the nature, and purpose of the Bahá’í Administrative Order and its relationship to other forms of organization, a matter vital to understanding the Faith's uniqueness; and the relationship between the Administrative Order and the Golden Age, crucial for understanding the future of the Faith. A clear understanding of these epistles is essential for a well-deepened Bahá’í. DATES: July 1, 2000, to September 30, 2000 TEXTS: Students should purchase or download a copy of The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh if they do not have one. The Institute will supply study material. FACULTY: Dr Phyllis Bernard, Dr Sandra Hutchison, Mr Dann May, Dr Muhammad-Ali Mazidi, and Dr Robert Stockman COST: $150 – A twenty percent discount is available when registering as part of a local group of three or more (who pledge to meet together semi-monthly to study the texts). Larger discounts are available for even larger groups who plan to study the course together. Students who have taken one of the previous Shoghi Effendi courses will also receive a 20% discount. Financial aid is available for those in economic hardship or those devoting their careers to the Faith. (Discounts are not cumulative; unless a student requests financial aid, the maximum discount is 20%). There are no residential requirements, for the course is conducted by correspondence and over the internet. The course may be taken at the introductory level (a basic course that will help students teach the Faith more effectively), the intermediate level (for more in-depth study) or the advanced level (equivalent to graduate-level study). WORK EXPECTATIONS: The course will take five to ten hours of work each week and will involve:
Reading and using the knowledge you acquire. The course is divided into a series of units, each of which involves reading an epistle in World Order of Bahá’u’lláh and any related texts. The course offers a series of study questions and learning projects on the readings, including giving a deepening or fireside; doing an artistic project; or finishing a writing project about it. Assistance by a mentor/advisor, who reviews and comments on all homework you do, and answers your questions. For those who are part of local study groups, discussion assignments are provided. Participation in "WOB," the course's e-mail discussion group. Because of the speed and efficiency that e-mail provides, all students are urged to acquire e-mail for the course. Access to the course's password-protected web site, which includes additional study material and completed sample homework assignments. Voluntary participation in conference calls with up to five other students and a faculty member. Completion of a final project that involves review of the material studied, evaluation of what one has learned, and systematic application of it to teaching and deepening. Wilmette Institute - 536 Sheridan Road, Wilmette, IL 60091, USA. Phone toll-free 1-877-WILMETTE - Fax 847-733-3563 info@wilmetteinstitute.org http://wilmetteinstitute.org/

The Associate is the newsletter of the Association for Bahá'í Studies (English-Speaking Europe), 27 Rutland Gate, London SW7 1PD, UK. Submissions for Associate should be sent to: Dr Iarfhlaith Watson by e-mail: iwatson@ucd.ie, or by post (preferably on disk) to: 494 Woodpark, Ballinteer, Dublin 16, Ireland || ASSOCIATE INDEX || ABS(ESE) HOME PAGE || BAHA'I STUDIES REVIEW ||