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Is the
Trinity possible?
Muslims
deny the Trinity doctrine of one God in three persons. They are so
strict in their monotheism that no plurality within God can possibly
exist. Many of them erringly assert that the Trinity is really a
deceptive doctrine of three gods. Of course, it is not, but that
does not stop them from claiming it is not rational.
Muslims often appeal to logic as a verification
for their theological systems. They claim that Islam is true and
Christianity false, that the Trinity simply doesn't make sense. In spite
of their claims, the doctrine of the Trinity is not illogical at
all. In fact, most people believe in trinities without even knowing
it.
As a painter reveals part of himself, his style,
what he is, etc., in his painting, so too, God has revealed part of
Himself, His style, and what He is in His creation. Creation
reflects, to a large degree, the qualities of God Himself. Let's
take a look.
- The universe is ordered; therefore, we
know that God is a God of order.
- The universe operates on laws;
therefore, God is a God of law.
- The universe has a beginning;
therefore, God is the creator.
- In mathematics, there is an infinity
of numbers. In the universe there is an infinity of distance; Therefore,
God the creator of the universe, is infinite.
- Absolute truths exist in creation,
(i.e., something can not be both itself and not itself at the same
time); therefore, God is absolute truth.
- The universe is comprised of three
primary aspects: Space, Time, and Matter.
- Space is comprised of height,
width, and depth - a trinity - but each aspect is by nature space.
- Time is comprised of past,
present, and future - a trinity - but each aspect is by nature
time.
- Matter is comprised of solid,
liquid, and gas - a trinity - but each aspect is by nature matter.
- Therefore, we can conclude
from looking at the universe, and God as its creator, that it is possible
for God to have a trinitarian aspect to His nature since we
see it in nature.
- If it is fair to say that God may
indeed be trinitarian in some aspect of His nature,
- then God could easily be
trinitarian in nature and still be the one and only God.
- God could easily be a plurality and all aspects of this
plurality, being of God, would be divine by nature.
- Since God is self-aware, has a will,
can speak, etc., then it follows that the plural aspects of God could share,
in some way, those
same qualities.
- If this is possible, then why cannot
part of God, since God is a plurality, become a man and add human nature to itself?
We can see that
there are trinities in nature. So, why can't God be a trinity as
well and creation simply be a reflection, in part, of His greatness?
It is certainly possible. If the Trinity were illogical, then the
possibility would not exist. There is no logical reason why the
trinity can not be a reality. It is up to the Muslim to demonstrate
a logical contradiction regarding the doctrine of one God in three
persons. Simply stating it isn't logical or that it isn't possible
proves nothing at all.
The Bible has declared that God is indeed a Trinity
and that Jesus is both God and man (John 1:1, 14;
Col. 2:9; etc.). Christians
have a living redeemer. Christians have God as their savior.
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