Explaining the Trinity to Muslims: A Personal Reflection on the Biblical Teaching in Light of the Theological Criteria of Islam

by Carlos Madrigal

Overview

This book is a culturally relevant presentation of the truth of the Trinity to the Muslim mindset.

Originally it was issued through a Turkish secular publishing house and had a countrywide repercussion, even in Islamic circles. It is a useful presentation for both Muslim and Christian readers, providing fundamental keys for understanding and explaining the Trinity

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781645080701
Publisher:	Carey, William Library Publishers
Publication date:	09/01/2011
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	156
File size:	4 MB

About the Author

Carlos Madrigal, born in Barcelona, is an art director, pastor, teacher, and writer. Married to Rosa Maria and the father of three children, he has served the Lord in Turkey since 1985, where he established the Istanbul Protestant Church, the first evangelical church to be officially recognized by the Turkish government. Carlos is also the author of more than a dozen Christian books in Turkish and is a regular guest on debate programs on Turkish national television channels.

Table of Contents

Prologue to the Spanish and English Versions

Prologue to the 1995 Turkish Version

Introduction

Chapter 1 - Is It Possible to Know God?

The Unity of God

The Character of God

Chapter 2 - Towards a Correct Understanding

The Conclusions of Islamic Scholars

Three Qualities of Divinity

Anthropomorphic Adjectives

Chapter 3 - Illustrations and Definitions

"Unfolding" into Three Persons

The Concept of “Son of God” (Ibnu’llah, أبن الله)

The Divine Being, Word, and Action

The Word Takes on Bodily Form

The Son: Using the Terminology of Islamic Theologians

The Definition of the Trinity

Chapter 4 - Trinitarian Declarations in the Bible

Unicity of God

Plurality within the Divinity

God the Father

God the Son

God the Holy Spirit

The Three Are One and the Same God

The Trinity and Worship

The Three Persons Are Clearly Distinct

Chapter 5 - The Theological Approach

What Does “Divine Person” Mean?

Theological Enunciation

God the Father

God Is Father Because . . .

"Father" Expresses . . .

How Is the Person of the Father Differentiated from That of the Son or the Holy Spirit?

God the Son

God the Holy Spirit

Relationship between the Three Divine Persons

Chapter 6 - The Incarnation

The Logos Is Uncreated

The Logos Is Eternal

The Logos Is the Almighty

Jesus Said He Was God

The Apostles Said Jesus Is God

Jesus Talks with God

The Son Is Yahweh Himself

The God-Man

Chapter 7 - Clues to Understanding the Trinity

Eternal Love Makes the Trinity an Imperative

The Incommensurable God

Let's Recapitulate

Fullness and Self-submission within God

The Triune Condition and Its Mystery

 

Appendix:

Toward the Creeds of the Early Church

The Apostolic Church Fathers and the Trinity

Writings by Clement (AD 95–115)

Letters by Ignatius of Antioch (AD 105–115)

Writings by Barnabas (AD 96–98 or 130–140)

Epistle to Diognetus (AD 150)

The Trinity in the Apocryphal Writings

Ignatian Apocrypha

The Nicene Creed (AD 325)

The Apostles’ Creed (AD 340)

The Chalcedonian Creed (AD 451)

Conclusion

Glossary:

Trinitarian Terminology—Transliteration of Arabic Terms into English and Their Meanings

The Seven Essential Attributes

The Six Intrinsic Attributes of the Divinity

Islamic Schools and Branches (Madh’hab)

Schools of Belief (Aqidah)

Bibliography
Indexes
Terms, Concepts, and Names
Biblical References
The Surahs of the Qur’an and Qur’anic Quotes

Editorial Reviews

Carlos Madrigal has come out with a masterful work on the Trinity. Even though it is designed for Muslims, it could well be used anywhere. This is the work of a first-class mind dealing with Christianity's most difficult subject, especially in the face of Muslim misunderstandings of it. Anyone who reads this work will be wonderfully comforted in knowing how beautifully the triune God has moved to achieve our eternal salvation. I believe this book will become a classic. Don McCurry, Founder, Zwemer Institute of Muslim Studies Editor, The Gospel and Islam Author, Healing the Broken Family of Abraham: New Life for Muslims

It is a high privilege to recommend this unique book authored by long-term Spanish worker in Turkey. I can think of no other person more qualified to speak to the themes of the Christian Trinity to a secular or religious readership. Here we have a tested and articulate veteran of Islamic ministries who has seen his understandings put through the crucible, thus producing gold. My forty-two years of cross-cultural ministry have convinced me of the urgent need and strategic role that wise publications play in our engagement with those of Muslim convictions. William D. Taylo, rGlobal Ambassador, World Evangelical Alliance, Senior Mentor, WEA Mission

From the Publisher