Immanence and Transcendence in Divine Scripture

Various anthropomorphic and naturalistic symbols are used in biblical, quranic, and Baha'i scriptures to depict theophanies--the appearance of God and the divine in the realm of creation. Many of the same theophanic symbols that appear in biblical and quranic scriptures are used in the writings of Baha'u'llah to communicate Baha'u'llah's own divinity and to connect His ministry with past rdemptive history. Such symbols include and "angel," "fire," and the prophets' claims to be God incarnating symbolically the "face" or "voice" of God. This article examines the theological significance of some of these symbols, giving special emphasis to how thet are used by Baha'u'llah to convey the immanence or transcendence of God and to create continuity between His own revelation and past revelations.