The Possibility of Applying Moltmann’s Theology of Hope in the Shiite Theology

The German Protestant theologian Jürgen Moltmann proposed the theology of hope to solve the problems of Christian theology in the modern period. The theology of hope, by redefining Christianity under the umbrella of apocalypticism, considers man to have an active role in laying the groundwork for the realization of the kingdom in the end times. Due to its emphasis on the praxis aspect of practice, this theology was as influential in the formation of political theology as it was in liberating theology in Latin America.

In the field of Shiite thought and theology, the need for innovation in order to inject the spirit of dynamism and movement is strongly felt. In particular, the issue of Mahdism has a special place in Shiite theology and the Promised One is considered as one of the doctrines in the Imami religion. Although theological fields are rich in identifying concepts, the way they are presented to society and their formulation is very important. The problem is to examine the possibility of using the theology of Moltmann’s hope as a form and format to explain the doctrine of Mahdism in the modern period.In this research, descriptive-analytical method has been used with reference to library sources. In this regard, the concepts of the return of Christ, the divine kingdom, the golden millennium from the perspective of Moltmann and the theology of hope were examined. In Shiite theology and based on narrated sources, the concepts of the emergence of Imam al-Asr (as), the establishment of justice, the rule of the righteous and blessings were examined. The pragmatism of expectation in the Shiites was also examined by examining the policies of the leaders of the two parties, Ansarullah in Yemen and Hezbollah in Lebanon, who, based on Imam Khomeini’s discourse, stood up to the promise based on protest and dissatisfaction with the status quo.Overall, the result is that there is a serious convergence between the two theologies, culminating in the rule of the divine will at the end of the world. It seems that by looking at the theology of hope in a discourse, in the teaching of Shiite Mahdism and the promised expectation, it is possible to emphasize the practical aspect more than the doctrinal and theoretical aspect. Just as Imam Khomeini’s movement turned waiting into an effective discourse and led to the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran.