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Mennonite Scholars Participate in Iranian Conference on Muslim Doctrine

TEHRAN, Iran — Three American Mennonite scholars were invited as guests and contributors at a September 6-7 conference on Muslim doctrine organized and hosted here by the Bright Future Institute, of Qom, Iran. Their participation continued a series of exchanges between Mennonites and Iranian religious leaders that stretches back for most of a decade.

These contacts, facilitated largely by Mennonite Central Committee (Akron, PA), have included studies by Iranian scholars in Canada, Mennonite scholars resident in Iran and several theological dialogues and conferences. Scholars at this event were David W. Shenk, global consultant with Eastern Mennonite Missions, Salunga, Pennsylvania, Thomas N. Finger, independent scholar at Reba Place Church, Evanston, Illinois, and N. Gerald Shenk, professor of church and society at Eastern Mennonite Seminary, Harrisonburg, Virginia.

The gathering drew more than 100 international participants and an estimated 4,000 Iranians. Leading Ayatollahs and Iranian President Ahmadinejad were key speakers at the conference.

According to Shi’a Islam's “Mahdism Doctrine”(or the “science of messianism”), the theme of this conference, the figure of the Mahdi is identified as the Twelfth Imam in succession after the Prophet Muhammad and is understood as being hidden but not dead for the past eleven centuries. He is expected to return to establish justice and restore righteousness on earth. Although not all Muslims, especially in majority Sunni branches, share this identification and hope, the doctrine is gaining substantial attention in Iran today. Allusions to Christian teaching are frequent, and in some versions the return of Jesus Christ and the expected Mahdi figure are linked. A display in the conference lobby prominently looped a video proclaiming: “Do you know — Jesus Christ is coming soon? And the Mahdi comes right after that!”

In his presentation on “Messianic hope in biblical eschatology,” David Shenk drew on his long acquaintance with Islam in Africa and around the world. He referred to Iranian President Ahmadinejad’s recent letter to U.S. President Bush (May 8, 2006) which named this hope for a second coming of the Messiah: “Will we be given a role to play in the promised world where justice will become universal and Jesus Christ (PBUH) [peace be upon him, traditional expression of respect] will be present?”

Tom Finger outlined the characteristics of human society that is marked by God’s rule, expressed in the life of the early followers of Jesus, as non-violence, equality and economic sharing. David Shenk further stated that Jesus the Messiah is the fullness of the presence of the kingdom of God. The papers helped to illuminate the nature of God’s reign as revealed in a Messiah who exhibited suffering love and forgiveness.

Gerald Shenk’s paper discussed the rise of messianic movements in America during the past two centuries including dispensationalist theology, which accounts for support for the nation of Israel both before and after 1948 by many Christians.

Professor Muhammad Legenhausen of the Imam Khomeini Education and Research Institute in Qom said that previous conferences over sixteen years have involved primarily Muslims speaking to Muslims. “To have a Christian voice present without being antagonistic is tremendous!” he said.

David Shenk gave President Ahmadinejad a copy of his book, A Muslim and a Christian in Dialogue (co-authored by Badru Kateregga). He also asked him how Christian leaders might help to facilitate the dialogue Ahmadinejad’s May 2006 letter to President Bush invited.

The American scholars had many opportunities to worship with local Christian groups who were encouraged to see foreign Christians participating in the Mahdism conference. Despite heightened international tensions, courtesy was extended across historic religious divides and the witness of the Christian scholars was welcomed in the framework of new thinking about Islamic hopes and expectations. Their inclusion at the conference elicited numerous interviews for Tehran’s television and newspapers.

The Mennonite delegates were also hosted for a day of interactions with scholars at the Khomeini Institute in Qom.

At the conclusion of the conference, the 260 papers presented there, published in Farsi in three volumes, were made available.

— From a report by Gerald Shenk