H-Bahai
Occasional Papers in Shaykhi, Babi and Baha'i Studies, Vol. 2, No. 6 (November, 1998)




Figures for Smith, "The Routinization of Charisma?

Some Comments on “Motif Messianique et Processus Social dans le Bahaisme”



Figure I. Four Motifs in Babi-Baha'i History

Dominant Figure/Period

Motif
1. Shaykhis 2. The Bab: 1844-48 3. The Bab 1848-50 4. 1850-1856 5. Baha'u'llah 1856-167 6. Baha'u'llah 1867-1892 7. `Abdu'l-Baha 1892-1921 8. Shoghi Effendi 1921-1937 9. Shoghi Effendi 1937-1957 10. The Hands 1957-1963 11. The Universal House of Justice 1963 -
A. POLAR Strong, but mediated by Traditional Intermediaries Ditto Ditto (New Qutb) Fragmentation New Qutb Ditto Almost Universal recognition of designated successors--"The Covenant" Ditto Ditto Ditto Ditto
B. MESSIANIC An


Strong Expectation Among Some
Islamic


Messianic expectation, fulfillment
Qiyama


The Messianic Age
Despair and


Doctrine of
Confusion


MYH
Work


A Second Messianic Age
Towards


`Abdu'l-Baha regarded as
a


Christlike
future millennium continues
C. LEGALISTIC Islamic


But messianic
Shari`ah


expectation
Babi Shari`ah Babi Shari`ah


(Antinomian
Babi Shari`ah


Tendencies)
Baha'i Law Baha'i Law


The
Baha'i Law


Development of
Baha'i Law


Baha'i
Baha'i Law


Administration
Baha'i Law


Continues
D. ESOTERIC-
GNOSTIC
VERY


-
STRONG


subordinate
throughout


to messianic motif
this


Much speculation
period


but now
increasingly


-
a subordinate


(though initially important
motif


in the West)
increasing independence and distinctiveness




2

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