Christian Responses to Islamic Objections on the Deity of Jesus Christ and the Trinity
Christian Responses to Islamic Objections on the Deity of Jesus Christ and the Trinity
This is a discussion on the deity of Jesus Christ and Trinity between Christian apologist, Dr. Johnson, and Islamic Dawah preacher, Imam Ahmed.
Imam Ahmed: In Islam, we believe Jesus is a prophet, not God. The Quran rejects the Trinity as polytheistic (Quran 4:171, 5:116).
Dr. Johnson: I understand your concerns, Imam Ahmed. However, the Trinity isn't polytheistic. We worship one God in three distinct, coequal, and coeternal persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19, 2 Corinthians 13:14).
Imam Ahmed: But isn't this tri-theism, like African ancestral worship?
Dr. Johnson: Not at all. African polytheism involves multiple, independent gods. Christianity's Trinity is a unified, indivisible Godhead. Each person of the Trinity is fully God, yet distinct in role and relationship (John 1:1-14, Hebrews 1:1-3).
Imam Ahmed: What about Jesus' human limitations? He hungered, thirsted and slept (Matthew 4:2, Luke 8:23).
Dr. Johnson: Jesus' humanity doesn't negate His divinity. As the Incarnate Word, He voluntarily took on human weaknesses, yet remained fully divine (Philippians 2:5-8, Colossians 2:9).
Imam Ahmed: But why call Him 'Son of God'?
Dr. Johnson: 'Son of God' signifies Jesus' divine nature and unique relationship with the Father (Psalm 2:7, John 1:14). It doesn't imply inferiority.
Imam Ahmed: What about the Quran's assertion that Jesus never claimed divinity?
Dr. Johnson: Actually, Jesus did claim divinity. He forgave sins (Mark 2:5-12), accepted worship (John 20:28) and declared Himself the "I Am" (John 8:58). His teachings and miracles demonstrated His divine authority.
Imam Ahmed: It all depends on how you interpret those verses. The doctrine of the Trinity was copied from paganism and was not taught by the early Christians.
Dr. Johnson: The Scripture and history affirm Jesus' divinity. The early Church Fathers, like Ignatius and Irenaeus, also taught the Trinity. There are historical evidence that the early Church worshipped Jesus Christ as God showing how they understood these verses. Trinity is not pagan because pagans worship different gods.
Imam Ahmed: I'd like to explore the biblical concept of the Trinity further. How can three distinct persons be one God?
Dr. Johnson: Consider the analogy of water: solid (ice), liquid (water) and gas (vapour). Three states, one substance. Man is tripartite, created with spirit, soul and body. Although these analogy are not perfect as nothing can perfectly explain the mystery of God. Similarly, the Trinity's three persons – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – share one divine essence.
Imam Ahmed: That's helpful. But what about 1 Timothy 2:5, "one God and one mediator"?
Dr. Johnson: Exactly! That verse affirms monotheism while highlighting Jesus' unique role as mediator between God and humanity. It doesn't negate the Trinity.
Imam Ahmed: What about Jesus' statement, "My Father is greater than I" (John 14:28)?
Dr. Johnson: Jesus' words emphasize His voluntary submission to the Father's will, not inferiority. Philippians 2:5-8 explains this. He had to take up human nature subjected to human weaknesses to fulfill His earthly mission.
Imam Ahmed: Dr. Johnson, you've claimed Jesus is God. Yet, He prayed to the Father (John 17:1-26). Doesn't this indicate inferiority?
Dr. Johnson: Imam Ahmed, Jesus' prayers demonstrate His voluntary submission to the Father's will, not inferiority. In John 17, Jesus also claims unity with the Father (v. 11, 21-22). This underscores Their coequal, coeternal relationship. His prayer is for communion and unity and not inferiority.
Imam Ahmed: But what about Jesus' ignorance of the Second Coming's timing (Mark 13:32)? Doesn't this contradict omniscience?
Dr. Johnson: Imam Ahmed, Jesus' limitations were voluntary, related to His human nature. As God, He remains omniscient (John 1:47-48, 16:30). The Incarnation involved taking on human weaknesses. Not as if He doesn't know as God, but as man he is limited. Jesus was showing that it is not His responsibility to declare His second coming and the judgement day as it's not a fixed date but exclusively left for the Father to decide.
Imam Ahmed: The Quran rejects the Trinity as polytheistic (4:171, 5:116). How do you respond?
Dr. Johnson: The Quran's critique assumes multiple, independent gods. Christianity's Trinity is one God in three distinct persons. Each person is fully God, yet distinct in role and relationship.
Imam Ahmed: Can you provide biblical evidence for the Trinity? There's no such word in the Bible!
Dr. Johnson: Although the word "Trinity" is not mentioned in the Bible just like the Islamic term "Tawheed" is not in the Quran, Scripture affirms the Trinity: Matthew 28:19 - Baptism in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit's name. 2 Corinthians 13:14 - Grace from the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. John 1:1-14 - Jesus as the Word, God with God. Hebrews 1:1-3 - Jesus as God's exact representation.
Imam Ahmed: I challenge your interpretation. These verses don't explicitly teach the Trinity.
Dr. Johnson: Imam Ahmed, while individual verses may not explicitly state the Trinity, the cumulative biblical evidence and early Christian teachings affirm it.
Imam Ahmed: Early Christian teachings were corrupted.
Dr. Johnson: Historical records demonstrate the early Church Fathers, like Ignatius and Irenaeus, taught the Trinity. Manuscript evidence confirms biblical authenticity. But if you doubt the reliability of the Bible, you take an open-minded study of some Quranic verses that support the deity of Jesus Christ and the Trinity.
Imam Ahmed: There's no such verse in the Quran or any authentic Islamic source.
Dr. Johnson: Let's examine Quran 3:45, where angels announce Jesus' birth, calling Him "a Word from Him" and "a spirit proceeding from Him." This parallels biblical teachings on Jesus as the Word and Spirit of God (John 1:1-14).
Imam Ahmed: That's interesting, but how does this establish the Trinity?
Dr. Johnson: While the Quran doesn't explicitly mention the Trinity, verses like Quran 4:171, describing Jesus as "a messenger of Allah, and His Word, which He bestowed on Mary," imply a divine connection. This aligns with biblical teachings on Jesus' coequal, coeternal relationship with the Father.
Imam Ahmed: All humans are also the spirit of God because we have his breath in us. Does that make us God?
Dr. Johnson: If that's not enough, Quran 3:49 describes Jesus creating a bird from clay and giving it life. This echoes biblical accounts of Jesus' creative authority (John 1:3, Colossians 1:16). Only God can create life.
Imam Ahmed: He did that at Allah's command and power given to him but not because he is God.
Dr. Johnson: I don't want to believe that there's any other creator aside God Almighty. Bible teaches that Jesus created the world and everything in it because He is God. Quran 19:19 calls Jesus "a holy son," and Quran 3:46 describes Him as sinless. Biblical teachings concur (Hebrews 4:15). God alone is holy/sinless. Even Mohammed acknowledged his sinfulness and no Bible prophet claim to be sinless.
Imam Ahmed: Allah knows best why he made him holy. Maybe because he will be a judge on the last day.
Dr. Johnson: Talking about the last day judgement, Quran 43:61 designates Jesus as a Sign for the Hour of Judgment. Biblical prophecies also depict Jesus as the eschatological Judge (Matthew 25:31-46). Who else is qualified to be the Judge of the earth if not God Himself? So Iman Ahmed Jesus Christ will judge you on the day of judgement. What will be your fate if you reject Him as you Justifier now?
Imam Ahmed: These Quranic verses do suggest Jesus' divine nature.
Dr. Johnson: Exactly! The Quran testifies to Jesus' deity, creative power, sinlessness and role in judgment. These attributes are uniquely divine.
Imam Ahmed: I must reconsider my understanding.
Dr. Johnson: The Quran and Bible share common ground. Recognizing Jesus' divinity can bridge our theological divide. With an open mind, a sincere seeker of the truth will surely find the answer on the pages of the scriptures and make the right decision. Jesus Christ is the Way, Truth and the Life. No one come to God except through Him.
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