The Trinity for a Muslim to understand.

[Stephen0]

I hope that I am not rehashing over old discussions between Muslim and Catholics on this forum concerning the Trinity. However, in visiting Islamic websites I find that there is this barrier in the way Muslims find it (name removed by moderator)ossible to comprehend the Catholic concept of the Trinity. I tend to view a Muslim understand as a two dimensional view, much as the writings on a page, instead of the three dimensional presentation on each element as shown in the New Testament, where you have a clear distinction given of each element of the Godhead, in Jesus referring to God as Father, as his being presented as the Son of God by St. Luke in his Prologue, and by Jesus telling his followers to wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
However, to make this concept of three persons in God understandable, dear brother Muslims, you don’t need to look any further than yourselves. Yes, you contain three distinct elements or persons within yourself, and you or I are not even God. Think! One: You and I have a mind or intelligence which gives us free will, and makes it possible to agree or disagree with God or even sin. Two: You and I have an animal nature, that unthinking aspect that can be driven by our emotions and requires the relinquishing of the thought process and sometimes we let it get the better of our intellects and regret it. Finally, we were created by God with a soul, that animates and gives us life and some day it will return to God to be judged. These three aspect we view as seperate, yet still make us one person. Now, how much greater is Allah/God? Can anyone of us believe that God who is one like ourselves, cannot also contain three distinct aspects of persons or far greater abilities?

 

[Stephen0]

Boy, I have to call myself on the carpet for I stated that you could find the reference to Jesus being God in St. Lukes Prologue, when it should have read St. John’s prologue 1:1-2.

 

[Claire_from_DE]

I hope that I am not rehashing over old discussions between Muslim and Catholics on this forum concerning the Trinity. However, in visiting Islamic websites I find that there is this barrier in the way Muslims find it (name removed by moderator)ossible to comprehend the Catholic concept of the Trinity. I tend to view a Muslim understand as a two dimensional view, much as the writings on a page, instead of the three dimensional presentation on each element as shown in the New Testament, where you have a clear distinction given of each element of the Godhead, in Jesus referring to God as Father, as his being presented as the Son of God by St. Luke in his Prologue, and by Jesus telling his followers to wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
However, to make this concept of three persons in God understandable, dear brother Muslims, you don’t need to look any further than yourselves. Yes, you contain three distinct elements or persons within yourself, and you or I are not even God. Think! One: You and I have a mind or intelligence which gives us free will, and makes it possible to agree or disagree with God or even sin. Two: You and I have an animal nature, that unthinking aspect that can be driven by our emotions and requires the relinquishing of the thought process and sometimes we let it get the better of our intellects and regret it. Finally, we were created by God with a soul, that animates and gives us life and some day it will return to God to be judged. These three aspect we view as seperate, yet still make us one person. Now, how much greater is Allah/God? Can anyone of us believe that God who is one like ourselves, cannot also contain three distinct aspects of persons or far greater abilities?

Not a bad analogy! Like all analogies it is imperfect. You say Allah/God is one like ourselves. Some Muslims might think that you mean God is a being like us. But instead you mean God is ONE.

I think what you are saying is that these aspects of a man are united to make one man. In this, we are in some poor way an image of the oneness of God, who is immeasurably greater than man.

Have I understood you correctly?

 

[holdencaulfield]

I think that they should read Mere Christianity by C.S.Lewis. In my opinion he explains the Holy Trinity quite well.

 

[Stephen0]

Thanks, Claire. You are correct, I should have refined it further and stated " that God is one as we are also one," You refined it better than I wrote it. We are not God, but we do mirror faintly who God is since we are made in his image and likeness. Holdencaulfield, I too need to read C. S. Lewis and intend to save up my pennies to get his book. Thanks.

 

[holdencaulfield]

Thanks, Claire. You are correct, I should have refined it further and stated " that God is one as we are also one," You refined it better than I wrote it. We are not God, but we do mirror faintly who God is since we are made in his image and likeness. Holdencaulfield, I too need to read C. S. Lewis and intend to save up my pennies to get his book. Thanks.

It’s a wonderful book on the explanation of the Christian faith. I would recommend it to anyone.