‘When Muslims meet Moltmann’ – can Jürgen Moltmann’s theology of suffering help forcibly displaced ex-Shi’ite Iranians to reconsider their understanding of God?

Abstract

ABSTRACT Suffering is ubiquitous, and Christian and Islamic theologies attempt to provide some understandings of this universal reality. Christian theologian Jürgen Moltmann suggests a theology of suffering which emphasises the cross, and the suffering Triune God showing solidarity with the godforsaken and the godless. This study critically explores how Moltmann’s theology may help forcibly displaced Iranians to reconsider their understanding of God. Using Moltmann’s theology as a framework, Jesus is also compared with Shi’ite well-known martyr Imām Husayn who underpins Shi’ites’ understanding of suffering. Both Jesus and Husayn felt being abandoned by God, showed a willingness to suffer, and had redemptive and liberating roles within their religions. Seven forcibly displaced ex-Shi’ite Iranian Christian converts in Britain were interviewed to examine their context. The Iranians were all oppressed by the Iranian regime before arriving Britain. Most participants held negative opinions about Husayn because his narrative carries an undesirable political connotation from their experience in Iran. The Iranians also questioned the helpfulness of using Husayn as a common ground to witness and introduce Christ. Nevertheless, they find Moltmann’s notion of the suffering God, and God’s solidarity with the sufferers attractive because of their suffering. Based on these observations and reflections, ways of engagement are proposed to help three distinct groups of forcibly displaced Iranians to reconsider their understanding of God. These include engaging interreligious dialogue on suffering with pious Shi’ites, pursuing an evangelistic focus on the suffering God for ex-Shi’ites, and developing a unique contextual theology among Christian converts.