Discussing Trinity and Tawhid (Islam)

Episode 98 of the The Missionary Perspective podcast, hosted by Erik Johnson and Josh Mead, titled "Discussing Trinity and Tawhid (Islam)" was published on April 2, 2026 and runs 88 minutes.

April 2, 2026 ·88m · The Missionary Perspective

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Summary

The conversation explores how the Quran and the New Testament define the nature of God, specifically addressing perceived misconceptions and theological overlaps. The Quranic Perception of the Trinity The "Family Unit" Critique: The speakers discuss Surah Al-Ma'idah (Verse 116), where Allah asks Jesus if he commanded people to worship him and his mother, Mary, as gods. Christian Clarification: Josh notes that the Christian doctrine of the Trinity does not include Mary as a member of the Godhead, suggesting the Quranic polemic may be addressing a specific heresy or a "family unit" concept rather than orthodox Trinitarianism. The Deity of Christ: The second speaker quotes Surah Al-Ma'idah (Verse 72), which rejects the idea that the Messiah is Allah, representing the core Islamic rejection of Christ's divinity. The Three Categories of Tawhid The second speaker breaks down Islamic monotheism into three traditional categories used to measure belief: Tawhid al-Rububiyyah (Lordship): Believing that Allah alone is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. Tawhid al-Uluhiyyah (Worship): Maintaining that Allah alone is worthy of worship and religious devotion. Tawhid al-Asma wa-Sifat (Names and Attributes): The belief that Allah has unique names and attributes that cannot be compared to his creation. Comparative Arguments Forgiveness of Sins: The speakers compare Islamic and Christian views on the attribute of forgiveness. While the Quran asks, "Who can forgive sins except Allah?", the New Testament records Jesus forgiving sins (e.g., Mark 2), which Josh argues places Jesus within the category of deity according to the same logic. Gnostic Influences: The dialogue touches on the "Replacement Theory" of the crucifixion found in Islamic tradition, noting its similarity to earlier Gnostic texts that claimed Jesus only appeared to suffer. Historical Continuity: They discuss whether the prophets of the Old Testament were "Muslims" in the sense of submitting to God's will, noting that the specific definitions of Tawhid often conflict with the actual recorded practices and beliefs found in the Torah.

Episode Description

The conversation explores how the Quran and the New Testament define the nature of God, specifically addressing perceived misconceptions and theological overlaps.

The Quranic Perception of the Trinity

The "Family Unit" Critique: The speakers discuss Surah Al-Ma'idah (Verse 116), where Allah asks Jesus if he commanded people to worship him and his mother, Mary, as gods.
Christian Clarification: Josh notes that the Christian doctrine of the Trinity does not include Mary as a member of the Godhead, suggesting the Quranic polemic may be addressing a specific heresy or a "family unit" concept rather than orthodox Trinitarianism.
The Deity of Christ: The second speaker quotes Surah Al-Ma'idah (Verse 72), which rejects the idea that the Messiah is Allah, representing the core Islamic rejection of Christ's divinity.

The Three Categories of Tawhid

The second speaker breaks down Islamic monotheism into three traditional categories used to measure belief:

Tawhid al-Rububiyyah (Lordship): Believing that Allah alone is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe.
Tawhid al-Uluhiyyah (Worship): Maintaining that Allah alone is worthy of worship and religious devotion.
Tawhid al-Asma wa-Sifat (Names and Attributes): The belief that Allah has unique names and attributes that cannot be compared to his creation.

Comparative Arguments

Forgiveness of Sins: The speakers compare Islamic and Christian views on the attribute of forgiveness. While the Quran asks, "Who can forgive sins except Allah?", the New Testament records Jesus forgiving sins (e.g., Mark 2), which Josh argues places Jesus within the category of deity according to the same logic.
Gnostic Influences: The dialogue touches on the "Replacement Theory" of the crucifixion found in Islamic tradition, noting its similarity to earlier Gnostic texts that claimed Jesus only appeared to suffer.
Historical Continuity: They discuss whether the prophets of the Old Testament were "Muslims" in the sense of submitting to God's will, noting that the specific definitions of Tawhid often conflict with the actual recorded practices and beliefs found in the Torah.