THE POTENTIAL FOR EVANGELICAL APPLICATION IN THE SHI’A ISLAMIC DOCTRINE OF REVELATION

Abstract

Evangelization in the Muslim world is a critical part of the Church’s fulfillment of the Great Commission. In any evangelization strategy, it is helpful to identify a concept or a point of contact where the Christian may begin to introduce the lost person to Christ. Apart from Islam’s monotheism, each of the contemporary expressions of Islam offers such points of contact for evangelism. Sunnis can relate to the strong, austere images of God; Sufis can relate to the mystical or relational aspects of Christianity. How, then, can Christians find a point of reference with Shi’a Islam?  The answer may be in their belief that God continues to guide and instruct through the revelation given to the imamate. The Shi’ite doctrine of revelation, with its concepts of “Light” and the “hidden” Imam, demonstrate an innate awareness of – and an acknowledgment of the need for – God’s active and perpetual superintendence, upon which the Christian may be able to initiate an apologetic or evangelistic discourse.