goals of the history of theology group:

1. providing a scholarly and systematic analysis of the history of imamite theology throughout the centuries;

2. re-reading and re-examining the authentic imamite intellectual heritage within the broader history of islamic theology;

3. responding to doubts and critiques—both internal and external—regarding the historical development of imamite thought and beliefs;

4. creating the groundwork for accurately presenting the teachings of shi’a imamism, which have often become problematic due to historical intellectual residues;

5. identifying historical influences and interactions between imamite thought and other sects and religions;

6. gaining familiarity with the perspectives of the ahl al-bayt school regarding other religions, islamic sects, and religious movements;

7. identifying doubts raised by other religions, sects, and movements concerning shi’a doctrinal beliefs and establishing an information bank of theological questions and their recorded responses;

8. offering scholarly answers to doubts that have either remained unanswered or have not yet received detailed and rigorous responses.