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Document Details : Title: Notes on Catholic-Shi'i Relations during the Safavid Period Author(s): HARROW, Leonard Journal: Journal of Eastern Christian Studies Volume: 63 Issue: 1-2 Date: 2011 Pages: 99-121 DOI: 10.2143/JECS.63.1.2149615 Abstract : The coming of the Safavid dynasty to power in Iran saw the foundations of the general ‘Shi'itisation’ of the whole country and the development of sound intellectual and theological structures in support of religious dogma. Under Shah ¨Abbas I (1588-1629) the development of the capital at Isfahan began in earnest. Especially during 'Abbas I’s reign and those of his successors various missioners from the West came to the splendid new capital. The newcomers of various orders, often with strong links to missions in India, brought not only translations of the gospels and psalms but also polemical works. Such polemical works provoked a rejoinder among the Muslims clerics to which the Christians in turn responded. It is the ensuing series of polemical works between Christians and Muslims that are reviewed in this paper. |
