Belief in a physical, literal Jesus essential?

[Seeker_of_truth]

I was having some trouble with this. My dad, who has been a Baha'i since 1992 and who is one of the smartest people i know ( I can ask him help from any subject in school, also speaks 7 languages) does not believe in a historical Jesus. If I am not mistaken Baha'u'llah quotes the Gospels and talks of Jesus as if he was a real, historical person.
I was wondering what other fellow Baha'is thought on this matter.
Is a belief in a historical Jesus fundamental to the Baha'i Faith?

[arthra]

Originally Posted by Seeker_of_truth

I was having some trouble with this. My dad, who has been a Baha'i since 1992 and who is one of the smartest people i know ( I can ask him help from any subject in school, also speaks 7 languages) does not believe in a historical Jesus. If I am not mistaken Baha'u'llah quotes the Gospels and talks of Jesus as if he was a real, historical person.
I was wondering what other fellow Baha'is thought on this matter.
Is a belief in a historical Jesus fundamental to the Baha'i Faith?

I think your father has a right to believe as he chooses to... A lot of scholars have questioned the historicity of Jesus, but there are some who still accept it.

The Gospels of course are accepted by Baha'is as being inspired and protected. I think Baha'u'llah makes this clear in the Kitab-i-Iqan.

We also accept the Virgin Birth of Jesus and His crucifixion so I think you would have to conclude that according the Writings, Jesus would not be a mere concoction or a myth.

We could agree though I think that many of the views of Jesus and the later Church doctrines were probably influenced by prevailing Pagan notions and practices.

- Art

[9Harmony]

Originally Posted by Seeker_of_truth

I was having some trouble with this. My dad, who has been a Baha'i since 1992 and who is one of the smartest people i know ( I can ask him help from any subject in school, also speaks 7 languages) does not believe in a historical Jesus. If I am not mistaken Baha'u'llah quotes the Gospels and talks of Jesus as if he was a real, historical person.
I was wondering what other fellow Baha'is thought on this matter.
Is a belief in a historical Jesus fundamental to the Baha'i Faith?

yes, as far as i know, it is fundamental, though we are allowed freedom to believe what we wish so long as we don't insist our beliefs are the only option.

I'm curious how can he accept Him as a prophet if He was not a real person?

[arthra]

Robert Stockman has written an essay on "Jesus Christ in History and in the Bahá'í Writings" that can be viewed at

Jesus Christ in History and in the Bahá'í Writings

This article is a segment of "Christianity from a Bahá'í Perspective" and should be helpful..

- Art