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How will Sunni-Shi'ite tensions play out in Iraq?

Fuller's Dudley Woodberry says that Christians should expect to see continued jockeying for political position in Iraq. What this means for Iraq's historical Christian church is hard to tell, he said. While the Baathist party's human rights record was atrocious in other areas, Christians in Iraq had more freedom than most other Arab countries. With the vacuum of leadership in the nation now, Woodberry says, it cannot be predicted whether to expect a theocracy or a secular democracy.

"What we have are Shi'ites without experience in leadership—but the majority—and Sunnis with experience but a minority," he told CT. "But we need not be too concerned about the outcome. If a more moderate or democratic group gets into power, there is greater freedom for the gospel. But if a more militant group comes to power—with a friendly Christian presence still there—there will be increasing disillusionment and greater receptivity to the gospel. God will work out his purpose."

Todd Hertz is assistant online editor for Christianity Today.

Copyright © 2003 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Previous Christianity Today articles on Islam and evangelism to Muslims include:

Muslim Phobic No More | Verbal attacks on Islam sabotage evangelism. (Dec. 16, 2002)

Doors into Islam | September 11 has only intensified the dangers and rewards of Muslim evangelism. (Aug. 19, 2002)

Outpaced by Islam? | The Muslim challenge is growing faster than our Christian outreach. (Feb. 4, 2002)

Letter from a Muslim Seeker | Christians aren't the only ones asking 'Why?' after September's tragedy. (Dec. 5, 2001)

Is the God of Muhammad the Father of Jesus? | The answer to this question reveals the heart of our faith. (Feb. 1, 2002)

Does God Hear Muslim's Prayers? | We must remember that God does not deal with theologies; he deals with persons. (Feb. 1, 2002)

Is Islam a Religion of Peace? | The controversy reveals a struggle for the soul of Islam. (Dec. 28, 2000)

A Many Splintered Thing | Though Muslims shared allegiance to Muhammad and to the Qur'an, Islam faced division as soon as the prophet died. (Dec. 28, 2000)

In 2000, Christianity Today focused on Muslim-Christian relations in a series by Wendy Murray Zoba. Articles included:

Islam, U.S.A. | Are Christians prepared for Muslims in the mainstream?

Islamic Fundamentals | Christians have a responsibility to understand our Muslim neighbors and their beliefs.

How Muslims See Christianity | Many Muslims don't understand Christianity—especially the idea of salvation by grace through faith.

Engaging Our Muslim Neighbors | The Church faces a challenge not just to understand Muslims, but to befriend them.

Answering Islam has a page of essays and articles on "The Christian Witness to the Muslim."

Other Christian sites discussing Muslim beliefs about Jesus and Christianity are available at The Muslim-Christian Debate, Campus Crusade for Christ, and FarsiNet.

Muslim perspectives on Jesus and Christianity are also ubiquitous online. They include Al-Sunnah, Harakah, Islam 101, Answering Christianity, and WhatIsIslam.com.

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April (Web-only) 2003, Vol. 47