icular, should remember the many warnings
in the Writings against the fomenting of discord among the friends. It is
the duty of the institutions of the Faith to guard the community against
such dangers.... [I]t cannot be denied that some of the statements that
have been made recently in the name of Baha'i scholarship by certain
individuals have betrayed an intemperance, and a lack of appreciation of
many of the fundamental teachings of the Faith, that would understandably
arouse alarm in the breasts of the most tolerant of believers.

(18 July 1979 on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual
believer) [63]

64: "The House of Justice feels that Baha'i scholars must beware of
the..."

The House of Justice feels that Baha'i scholars must beware of the
temptations of intellectual pride. 'Abdu'l-Baha has warned the friends in
the West that they would be subjected to intellectual tests, and the
Guardian reminded them of this warning. There are many aspects of western
thinking which have been exalted to a status of unassailable principle in
the general mind, that time may well show to have been erroneous or, at
least, only partially true. Any Baha'i who rises to eminence in academic
circles will be exposed to the powerful influence of such thinking. One of
the problems of modern times is the degree to which the different
disciplines have become specialized and isolated from one another.
Thinkers are now faced with a challenge to achieve a synthesis, or at
least a coherent correlation, of the vast amount of knowledge that has
been acquired during the past century. The Baha'is must be aware of this
factor and of the moderation and all-embracing nature of this
Revelation....

In the application of the social laws of the Faith, most of the also from
the actions of those who, while careful to observe the letter of the
difficulties can be seen to arise not only from outright disobedience, but
law, try to go as far as it will permit them away from the spirit which
lies at its heart. A similar tendency can be noted among some Baha'i
scholars. The great advances in knowledge and understanding in the vital
field of Baha'i scholarship will be made by those who, while well versed
in their subjects and adhering to the principles of research, are also
thoroughly imbued with love for the Faith and the determination to grow in
the comprehension of its teachings.

(23 March 1983 on behalf of the Universal House of Jus