Biblical Monotheism: Trinitarian Complexity, the Architecture of the Promise-Plan, and the Inter-Religious Critique of Islamic Tawḥīd

ARTICLE GUIDE

At a Glance

A comparative guide to biblical monotheism, Trinitarian confession, and Islamic tawḥīd, tracing divine-identity arguments through the promise-plan.

How does the essay relate divine oneness to personal distinction?

The study examines the Shema, theophanic texts, and early Christian devotion before comparing Christian and Islamic accounts of divine unity. It connects those differences to incarnation, inlibration, and the history of debates over divine speech.

Key Claims

• The essay reads Trinitarian confession as the culmination of canonical self-disclosure.
• The Shema, Hebrew terminology, and Angel-of-the-Lord passages are examined as part of the Old Testament discussion.
• The New Testament’s placement of Jesus within divine identity is central to the argument.
• Qurʾānic objections and historic Christian confession are compared.
• The Miḥna and uncreated-speech debates illuminate the discussion of inlibration.
• The promise-plan’s fulfillment is presented without canceling Israel’s calling.

Primary Textual Anchors

• Deuteronomy 6:4–5 — the Shema.
• Exodus 3:2; 23:20–21 — theophany and the divine Name.
• John 1:1, 14; Matthew 28:19 — New Testament confession.
• Qurʾān 4:171; 5:73, 116 — comparative discussion.
• Romans 11:28–29 — irrevocable gifts and calling.

Scripture Connections

Deuteronomy 6:4–5 — the Shema. Exodus 3:2; 23:20–21 — theophany and the divine Name. John 1:1, 14; Matthew 28:19 — New Testament confession. Qurʾān 4:171; 5:73, 116 — comparative discussion. Romans 11:28–29 — irrevocable gifts and calling.

Selected Scholarship

• Richard Bauckham — Jesus and the God of Israel (2008).
• Larry W. Hurtado — One God, One Lord (1988).
• Walter C. Kaiser Jr. — The Promise-Plan of God (2008).
• Harry Austryn Wolfson — The Philosophy of the Kalam (1976).

Related Guides

• The Uniqueness of Jesus: Christological Prerogatives, the Promise-Plan Architecture, and Contemporary Christian–Muslim Polemics
• The Incarnation Explained
• The Eschatological King and the Forensic Judge: A Biblical-Theological and Canonical Evaluation of Christ’s Return in Christian–Muslim Polemics

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