The House of Justice advises you not to attempt to define
too narrowly the form that Bahá'í scholarship should take, or the approach that
scholars should adopt. Rather should you strive to develop within your Association
respect for a wide range of approaches and endeavours. No doubt there will be
some Bahá'ís who will wish to work in isolation, while others will desire
consultation and collaboration with those having similar interests. Your aim
should be to promote an atmosphere of mutual respect and tolerance within which
will be included scholars whose principal interest is in theological issues as
well as those scholars whose interests lie in relating the insights provided by
the Bahá'í teachings to contemporary thought in the arts and sciences. (From a letter dated 19
October 1993 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an
individual believer; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. III, Scholarship)
