Christopher Roberts ICS6012Islamic Theology Dr.

Warren Larsen An Early Muslim Understanding of the Christian Doctrine of the Trinity He is Allah, The One and Only; Allah, the Eternal, Absolute; He begotteth not, nor is He begotten; and there is none like unto Him. Surah 112
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3: 16

In the years leading up to the crest of Muslim theological development; a talented, respected, and energetic young scholar named Abu Isa Muhammad b. Harun b. Muhammad alWarraq was working tirelessly to defend the Shiite Mutazilite Weltanschauung. It seems that while the Abbasid Caliphate was undergoing both a political and ideological civil war, Abu Isa would spend the period studying and contending against an array of non-Muslim beliefs. In his only surviving text, Al-Radd ala al-Tathlith, al-juz al-awwal min Kitab al-Radd ala al-Thalath Firaq min al-Nasara1, we see that Abu Isa brilliantly summarizes, analyzes, and refutes the widely held Christian Doctrine of the Trinity. Through his work we are able to see not only his vast knowledge and understanding of non-Muslim beliefs, but we are also given a glimpse into his personal belief in the Tawhid, or oneness of Allah. As such the following paper intends to closely examine Abu Isas Al-Radd as an avenue towards gaining an early Muslim perspective on the Christian Doctrine of the Trinity. [why would this paper make a great seminary paper? This isnt religious studies anymore]

Anti-Christian Polemic in Early Islam: Abu Isa al-Warraqs Against the Trinity, ed. David Thomas. Cambridge University Press, NY: 1992.

1.) 2.) 3.) 4.) 5.) 6.)

A perspective on the Muslim Jesus Reasons behind the rejection of the trinity Eastern political geography and Christianity How does protestant beliefs differ at all? What can we extract from this refutation? Personal application A. B. C. D. E. F. G. H. I. J. Surah 112 The inscriptions on the Dome of the Rock Unity of God verses Meccan polytheism Ancient Christology and the development of the triune God Summary of the Chaldeans, Nestorians, and the Jacobites Al-Warraq refutes these beliefs in his work Give a breakdown of his arguments Give the orthodox view of the Muslim Jesus Tortillians fictional response to al-Warraq At this fictional crossroads of the beliefs of T and W, how could a 9th century Christian Scholar responded to al-Warraq? [which is what that ADI guy was trying to do. K. Analyze al-Warraqs weaknesses or points of desperation L. Modern day application: how are Christians to deal with this disagreement over the trinity today? M. How can this stumbling block be overcome in modern mission endeavors?

Seven Christian Ecumenical Councils: 1.) Nicea (325 CE) 2.) Constantinople (381 CE) 3.) Ephesus (431 CE)

4.) Chalcedon (451 CE) 5.) Constantinople (553 CE) 6.) Toledo (589 CE)