For centuries, the doctrine of the Trinity—the belief that God exists as three distinct persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) in one essence—has been the central pillar of mainstream Christianity. However, it has also been the subject of intense logical and theological scrutiny.
Critics argue that the Trinity is not only unbiblical but logically incoherent. The most pressing question often raised is: If Jesus is God, who was running the entire universe when he was "dead" for three days?
1. The Ahmed Deedat vs. Anis Shorrosh Flashpoint
One of the most famous intellectual battles on this topic took place in 1985 at London’s Royal Albert Hall between the late Sheikh Ahmed Deedat and Dr. Anis Shorrosh.
Deedat, a master of comparative religion, used the Bible itself to challenge the divinity of Christ. His core argument was built on a simple, logical premise: God cannot die.
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The Logic of Mortality: Deedat argued that the concept of a "Dead God" is a contradiction in terms. If Jesus was God and he died on the cross, then for three days, the Creator of the universe was deceased.
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The "Two-Nature" Dilemma: When Christians respond that only the "human nature" of Jesus died while his "divine nature" lived on, Deedat countered that this effectively splits God into parts—a concept that violates the definition of an Indivisible, Absolute Being.
2. The Crucifixion Paradox: Who Was in Control?
The "Crucifixion Paradox" is the most common logical hurdle for Trinitarian theology. If Jesus is co-equal and co-eternal with the Father, his death creates a series of anomalies:
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The Governance of the Universe: If the "Son" is part of the Godhead that sustains the laws of physics, gravity, and life, what happened to those laws when he was "dead" for three days?
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The Prayer in Gethsemane: Critics ask why Jesus would pray to the Father to "let this cup pass from me" (Matthew 26:39) if he and the Father were the same being. Logic dictates that a person does not pray to themselves for help.
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The Cry of Despair: On the cross, Jesus cried, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46). If Jesus is God, he was effectively forsaking himself—a logical impossibility.
3. Biblical Evidence: Deedat’s Key Verses
Ahmed Deedat frequently challenged Christians to find a single unambiguous statement where Jesus says, "I am God" or "Worship me." Instead, he highlighted verses where Jesus emphasized his subordinate status:
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John 14:28: "The Father is greater than I."
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John 5:30: "I can of mine own self do nothing... I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me."
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Mark 10:18: "Why callest thou me good? There is none good but one, that is, God."
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Matthew 24:36: "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only." (If Jesus is God, he should share all knowledge with the Father).
4. The Christian Response: "Mystery" vs. "Simplicity"
Mainstream Christian theologians argue that the Trinity is a "divine mystery" that transcends human reason.
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Perichoresis: They use the term perichoresis to describe a "mutual indwelling," where the Father, Son, and Spirit are so intertwined that while the Son died in his humanity, the Godhead remained intact and in control of the universe.
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The Economic Trinity: This suggests that God "functions" in different roles (Father as Creator, Son as Redeemer), but this does not mean God is physically "split."
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5. Data and Comparative Analysis
| Feature | Trinitarian View | Islamic/Unitarian View |
| Nature of God | One God in Three Persons | One God, Indivisible (Tawhid) |
| Status of Jesus | God Incarnate (Fully God/Man) | Prophet/Messenger (Fully Human) |
| The Crucifixion | God died in his human nature | A Prophet was rescued/raised |
| Universe Control | Sustained by the "Indwelling" Trinity | Always controlled by the One Creator |
The Verdict: Faith vs. Logic?
For many critics, the Trinity remains a "logical bridge too far." They argue that if a religion requires one to "suspend the laws of logic" to understand its core deity, it enters the realm of mythology rather than theology. For believers, the Trinity is the ultimate expression of God’s love—that He would limit Himself to human form to experience death and redeem humanity.
Do you believe that a religious doctrine must be logically and scientifically provable, or is "divine mystery" an acceptable explanation for the nature of God?
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