Additional Arguments refuting the Trinity Doctrine
Not once Jesus (PBUH) was referred to as "God the Son" but only the "God's son" or "Son of God" about 68 times in the New Testament of the Bible which meant that he is not God at all. To say that both references are the one and the same in meaning negates the rules of language, leaving it absolutely useless as a tool for communication.
John Baker writes that " Jesus did not see himself just as Everyman nor as the Saviour of the World, even less as a divine pre-existent being from heaven". Furthermore, John Hick, editor of the 'Myth of God Incarnate', in his Preface, said: "The need arises from growing knowledge of Christian origins, and involves a recognition that Jesus was as he is presented in Bible (Acts 2:21), a man approved by God for a special role within the divine purpose, and that the later conception of him as God Incarnate, the second person of the Holy Trinity living a human life, is a mythological or poetic way of expressing his significance for us."
How could any member of the Trinity be considered a full God when in reality each of them constitute only 1/3 of the Godhead? When Jesus (PBUH) was on Earth, he wasn't a complete God nor was the 'Father in Heaven' a whole God which would contradict the sayings of Jesus (PBUH). He says (Bible; John 20:17) "I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God." If God were three-in-one, who was the God in Heaven during the three days between the claimed crucifixion and the resurrection? Who was the God when Jesus was in Mary's womb?
It is absurd to even think that each one is a complete God when the three are rolled into one being and thus constitute one full God. How could God be pleased to or worshipped when one is not clear on who the God is? This obscurity is a violation of one of the biblical teachings "God is not a God of confusion but of peace." (First Corinthians 14:33). Elevating Jesus (PBUH) to God's stature amounts to grievous blasphemy against the one true God, while separating Jesus fro Godhead does not discredit Jesus but only places him in his noblest position as a great prophet and messenger of God.
"You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those whom it has been prepared by my father." (The Bible; Matthew 20:23). On his own, Jesus (PBUH) lacked the power or authority to grant anything except what has been decreed by God, whom he calls 'Father'. Also, Jesus (PBUH) states in Matthew 26:39; "My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless not as I will, but as you wilt." It is evident from this that his will is separate from that of God's will.
Jesus (PBUH) is also alleged to have said; (The Bible: Matthew 27:46) "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" If Jesus (PBUH) was God, then by whom he was deserted? Was it by himself? This is ridiculous. God doesn't need to commit himself to another God. Furthermore, he states (The Bible; Mark 13:32) "But of that day or that hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." Had Jesus (PBUH) been truly equal to God or part of the Trinity, he would have known whatever the Father knew.
Let us observe the following three verses that have been extracted from The Bible, in which Jesus (PBUH) makes it clear that no authority or power rests in him and that what he preached was from God:
"Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord." (John 5:19)
"I can do nothing on my own authority." (John 5:39)
"My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me. (John 7:16)
Also, he says; "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. (The Bible; Mark 10:18). Additionally, Jesus (PBUH) asserts; "The Father is greater than I." (The Bible; John 14:28). These verses stress that none is greater in goodness or righteousness save God, thus disassociating Jesus (PBUH) from the Godhead. These statements also categorically negate the Trinity doctrine since both are of different natures, one greater than the other.
Does Jesus (PBUH) endorse the concept of the Holy Spirit?
To understand the message of Jesus (PBUH) on the subject, one has to start with the first epistle of John in (1 John 2:1) of the Bible. "My little children, I am writing this to you so that you may not sin, but if anyone does sin, we have an advocate 'Paraclete' with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." Here, we understand that Jesus (PBUH) was the "original Paraclete". He states in John 14:16 (The Bible) "And I will pray to The Father, and he will give you another Counsellor (Paraclete), to be with you forever." He has prophesied the coming of 'another Paraclete' into many different words which the readers may come across depending upon who wrote the Bible (Paraclete/Advocate/Comforter/Helper/ Counsellor/ Holy Spirit/ Holy Ghost/ Spirit of Truth)
Jesus (PBUH) also states in John 14:26 and 15:26 (The Bible); "But the Counsellor (Paraclete), the Holy Spirit (Holy Ghost), whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. But when the Counsellor (Paraclete) has come, whom I will send to you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, who proceedeth from the Father, he will bear witness to me."
The Bible; John 16:7-8: "Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Counsellor (Paraclete) will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convince the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment." This has been confirmed in the Holy Quran where God Almighty has lifted Jesus (PBUH) but not crucified as exclaimed. The coming of 'counselor' or 'paraclete' is conditioned upon the departure of Jesus (PBUH) who did not indicate that the 'paraclete' would come during his time.
The Bible; John 16:12-15: "I have yet many things to say unto you, but you cannot bear them now When the 'Spirit of Truth' (Paraclete) comes, he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you."
The above passage demolishes the confusion created by the word 'Holy Ghost' or 'Holy Spirit' claimed by the Christians because according to the Bible (Genesis 1:2), this Holy Spirit has been on Earth since the days of Creation. 'It' was also present at the Jordan river when John baptized Jesus (PBUH). What Jesus (PBUH) meant was that another prophet like him would come. All the pronouns he referred to as the 'Spirit of Truth' designates masculine genders which agree with the word 'Counsellor' (The Bible; John 16:7) which is a descriptive word used in place of the 'Spirit of Truth', and grammatically, pronouns must agree in gender with the noun to which they are related. So, verses 13 and 15 of John chapter 16 prove that the Spirit of Truth is not a part of the Trinity.
Jesus (PBUH) also speaks about himself being glorified by the paraclete. The Quran, which is the message of Muhammad (PBUH) has glorified both Jesus (PBUH) and his mother Mary. The name Jesus (PBUH) was mentioned in the Holy Quran five times more than the name Muhammad. Plus, the whole chapter 19 of the Holy Quran specifically in the name of his mother Mary (Chapter Maryam) proved eloquently our arguments that indeed, Jesus (PBUH) was glorified exceedingly. Therefore, to say that the coming of another paraclete/ advocate/comforter/counselor/spirit of truth as another prophet like Moses (PBUH) and Jesus (PBUH) is perfectly correct. The concept of the 'Holy Spirit' instead of 'another prophet' is totally negated by the Gospel of John.
Let us reflect on what Prophet Jesus (PBUH) said (The Bible; 21:42-43); "Therefore, I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation producing the fruits of it." Take note, that the warning of Jesus (PBUH) to the Jews when they became apostates by believing and worshipping other deities besides God Almighty had its origin in Genesis 49:10 (The Bible)by Prophet Jacob (PBUH) warning about Judah. It was in fact the fulfillment of an earlier prophecy in Deuteronomy 32:21 (The Bible) where God says; " They have stirred me to jealousy with what is not god; they have provoked me with their idols. So, I will stir them to jealousy with those who are no people; I will provoke them with a foolish nation."
The Arabs before Islam were described by the West as a foolish nation. One writer portrayed them as 'brutes with human skin', yet, when Islam was introduced to them, they became the model of mankind. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) removed all traces of idolatry and preached the oneness of God-The Creator, the Cherisher and Sustainer of all the Worlds who has no partner, sharer, associate, family, offspring, or helper. The Arab nation in general and Muhammad (PBUH) in particular were the fulfillment of all the above prophecies.
What the Holy Quran says about Jesus (PBUH) and His Mother
The Holy Quran is a comprehensive and universal message revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) through the agency of the angel Gabriel as the Last and Final Testament of God for mankind. It is a mercy and guidance from God to human beings which is a complete code of life, that includes all aspects of human endeavor ( code of personal conduct, social relations, politics, economics and international relations). It has withstood the test of time because its preservation rests with God Almighty Himself. Hence, it is the only Book of God extant today which remains in pure form after more than 14 centuries. It confirms all previous revelations of the earlier prophets as well as the errors that crept into the previous revelations and abrogated everything in them.
The following verses help us understand the nature of the Holy Quran and its stance on the topic of Jesus (PBUH) and his mother:
"(This is) the revelation of the Book in which there is no doubt from the Lord of the Worlds." (Holy Quran; 32:2)
"And this is a Book which We have sent down, bringing blessings, and confirming (the revelations) which came before it." (Holy Quran; 6:92)
"The similitude of Jesus before Allah is as that of Adam; He created him from dust, then said to him: "Be", and he was." (Holy Quran; 3:59)
"That they said (in boast), 'We killed Christ Jesus the son of Mary, the Messenger of Allah', but they killed him not, nor crucified him. Only a likeness of that was shown to them. And those who differ therein are full of doubts, with no (certain) knowledge. But only conjecture to follow, for of a surety that they killed him not. Nay, Allah raised him up unto Himself; and Allah is exalted in Power; Wise. And there is none of the People of the Book but must believe in him before his death, and on the Day of Judgement he will be a witness against them." (Holy Quran 4:157-159)
"O People of the Book! Commit no excesses in your religion: nor say of Allah aught but the truth. Jesus the son of Mary was (no more) than a Messenger of Allah and His Word, which He bestowed on Mary, and a Spirit proceeding from Him, so believe in Allah and His Messengers. Say not "Three": desist. It will be better for you for Allah is one God. Glory b to Him. Far exalted is He above having a son. To him belongs all things in the Heavens and on Earth. And enough is Allah as a disposer of affairs." (Holy Quran; 4:171)
"Certainly they disbelieve who say Allah is Christ the son of Mary." But said Christ: 'O Children of Israel! Worship Allah my Lord and your Lord.' Whoever joins other gods with Allah, Allah will forbid him the garden and the Fire will be his abode. There will for the wrong-doers be no one to help.
"And behold! God will say: 'O Jesus the son of Mary! Didst thou say unto men, 'take me and my mother for two gods besides Allah'?". He will say: "Glory be to Thee! Never could I say what I had no right (to say). Had I said such a thing, thou wouldst indeed have known it. Thou knowest what is in my heart, though I know not what is in Thine." (Holy Quran; 5:116)
As can be inferred from the above-mentioned verses of the Holy Quran, God granted revelation (through Gabriel) to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) so that he should bring about unity among the jarring sects, for the Gospel of Unity, while preaching the Oneness of True God. This revelation would be a guide to right conduct would open the path of repentance and salvation and would be of the highest mercy to erring sinners. It is given in order that men and women be righteous. If they reject it, the loss is their own.
That will be all for now. Stay in touch for the next blog. May God bless you all! Assalamalaikum!
Комментарии