Responding to the Books of Ahmed Deedat and Pastor Anis on the Trinity
This lecture presents a precise Orthodox theological explanation responding to objections raised against the doctrine of the Trinity, particularly those found in the writings of Ahmed Deedat and Pastor Anis. It focuses on misunderstandings regarding sonship, the Only Begotten Son, and the phrase “begotten, not created.”
First: The Meaning of Sonship in the Holy Bible
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains that the Bible speaks of “sons of God” in several senses:
- Sonship by faith
- Sonship by love
- Sonship by righteousness and holiness
- Sonship by adoption
All of these forms of sonship are not from the essence or nature of God.
Second: The Only Begotten Son
Christ alone is the “Only Begotten Son,” meaning He is begotten of the Father’s essence before all ages, equal to Him in essence, nature, and divinity. Therefore, Scripture clearly distinguishes between “sons of God” and “the Only Begotten Son.”
Third: Begotten, Not Created
The phrase “begotten, not created” means that the Son is not a creature, but eternally begotten of the Father, as light is begotten from light, without separation or difference in essence.
Fourth: Explanation of the Trinity
The Trinity does not mean three gods, but one God with a living Word (the Son) and a living Spirit (the Holy Spirit). God has existed eternally with His Word and His Spirit and did not create them later.
Fifth: The Death of Christ
God does not die. Christ died in the flesh (the human nature) only, while His divinity never departed from Him. Death was the separation of the human soul from the human body, without any death occurring to the divinity.
Sixth: The Meaning of the Kingdom
The Kingdom is not merely a place, but God’s reign over hearts, thoughts, and will. Those who submit their will to God live in His spiritual Kingdom.
Conclusion
The lecture affirms that most objections to the Trinity arise from misunderstanding theological terms or from inaccurate literal language, while Orthodox faith provides a coherent, profound, and biblically grounded understanding.
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