The Goddess Aurora has led me to recognise the principle of progressive revelation in the process of spiritual understanding. Progressive revelation is a concept that suggests that religious truth is revealed gradually over time, with each revelation building upon previous ones to provide a more complete understanding of the divine. This idea is central to many religious traditions, including Zoroastrianism, Christianity, Islam, Sikhism, and the Bahá'í Faith
One of the earliest recorded revelations is that of Zoroaster, who founded Zoroastrianism in ancient Persia around 1200 BCE. Zoroaster's revelation emphasised the struggle between good and evil, with Ahura Mazda, the benevolent deity, pitted against Angra Mainyu, the malevolent force. This dualistic worldview would later influence other religious traditions, including Christianity and Islam.
The revelation of Jesus Christ, as recorded in the New Testament, presented a radically different picture of God compared to the Old Testament. Jesus' teachings emphasised the loving and merciful nature of God, who is described as a Heavenly Father who desires a personal relationship with humanity. The Holy Spirit, often referred to as the Comforter, is also a central aspect of Christian theology, providing guidance and solace to believers.
In the 3rd century CE, the prophet Mani founded Manichaeism, a syncretic religion that incorporated elements from Christianity, Buddhism, and Zoroastrianism. Mani's revelation emphasised the struggle between light and darkness, with the ultimate goal of liberating the soul from the material world.
Islam, founded by Muhammad in the 7th century CE, also underwent a process of progressive revelation. The Quran, the holy book of Islam, was revealed to Muhammad over a period of 23 years, with some verses being abrogated (cancelled) in favour of new revelations. This process of abrogation is seen as a demonstration of God's mercy and adaptability, as the revelation was tailored to the specific needs and circumstances of the early Muslim community.
In the 15th century CE, Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, received a revelation that rejected the prevailing religious traditions of his time, including Hinduism and Islam. Nanak's revelation emphasised the unity of God and the importance of spiritual devotion, rather than adherence to specific rituals or dogma.
In the 17th century CE, George Fox, the founder of Quakerism, experienced a revelation that emphasised the inner light of the divine within each person. Fox's revelation led him to reject traditional religious authority and instead emphasise the direct experience of God's presence in the heart of the believer.
The Bahá'í Faith, founded by the Báb and Bahá'u'lláh in the 19th century CE, also emphasises the concept of progressive revelation. According to Bahá'í teachings, each revelation is a chapter in the ongoing book of divine guidance, with each chapter building upon the previous one to provide a more complete understanding of God's will. The Báb's revelation emphasised the importance of spiritual purification and the unity of all religions, while Bahá'u'lláh's revelation expanded on these themes, emphasising the unity of humanity and the importance of social justice.
A key aspect of progressive revelation is that it takes into account the time in history and the cultures in which it is revealed. Each revelation is tailored to the specific needs and circumstances of the people to whom it is addressed, while also providing timeless spiritual truths that transcend cultural and historical boundaries.
For example, the revelation of Jesus Christ was addressed to a Jewish audience in 1st century Palestine, and therefore used Jewish scripture and imagery to convey its message. Similarly, the Quran was revealed to an Arab audience in 7th century Arabia, and therefore used Arabic language and cultural references to convey its message.
Progressive revelation is a powerful concept that highlights the ongoing nature of divine guidance and the evolution of human understanding. By recognising the progressive nature of revelation, we can appreciate the diversity of religious traditions and the ways in which they complement and build upon one another. Ultimately, progressive revelation reminds us that spiritual truth is not static, but rather a dynamic and unfolding process that continues to guide humanity towards a deeper understanding of the divine.
