An authoritative interpretation entails agreement with the Sacred Writings of Baha'u'llah, the authenticated statements of Abdu'l-Baha and those statements by Shoghi Effendi which he deemed authoritative. It is the chief task of the Universal House of Justice to determine through a process of consultation which interpretations are authoritative and when and how to apply them. To elucidate means to explain, to make clear and to relate. One of the chief tasks of any commentary or explanation of the Writings is to clarify their meaning and relevance in the present day context. While scholars may elucidate, their conclusions are not necessarily authoritative.
Authoritative statements take precedence when it comes to action, ethics and faith.
Since science, art and history constitute an ongoing process born out of the marriage of reason, investigation and imagination the final authoritative evidence for conclusions based on such processes is only approximate. This is also true of our understanding of authoritative statements. This may well produce the spark which leads to truth. However, it is inadvisable for us to spend more time clashing than trying to understand and integrate differing perspectives on their meaning and import. Now do be nice Susan and answer my question about the meaning of Aryan.