The Big Question - So What?

The question, “So what?” is used in English to mean:  Why is your issue so important?  I’m sure virtually every language has a similar, frequently used question.

In the case of Christians and Muslims, a major issue that divides us is the trinity and whether or not Jesus is God.  Muslims deem the idea of the trinity to be blasphemous; Christians deem the rejection of the trinity to be heresy.  This issue has caused atrocious wars between Christians and Muslims!  People who take their faith in the only true God seriously  have killed each other over this issue!  How tragic!

Regarding this issue that has so violently separates us (even to this day), I ask the provocative question:  So what?

To be clear, the Christian church has taught the doctrine of the trinity for two thousand years–it is an important belief for most Christians.  And Muslims vehemently reject the doctrine of the trinity.

Nevertheless, is this issue so important that it justifies divisions, hatred, and violence among God fearing people who take their faith in God seriously?  My answer is: NO!

In the satirical novel, Gulliver’s Travels, published in 1726 by Jonathan Swift, this Christian pastor tells the story of four voyages made by Lamuel Gulliver.  In his first voyage, Gulliver is washed up on the shores of the imaginary nation of Lilliput after a shipwreck.  He is taken prisoner by a race of tiny people, less than 6 inches (15 cm) tall.  He finds that the Lilliputians are in a war with the empire of Blefuscu. The cause of their hostilities is the question of which end of an egg should be broken, this being a matter of religious doctrine.

Jonathan Swift tells the story of this particular voyage in his novel to criticize, among other things, the religious differences among Christians about how a person should be baptized, the three methods being: by pouring, sprinkling, or immersion–a “so what” issue that divides Christians to this day!

Regarding the question of the trinity and the deity of Christ, either Christians are wrong, or Muslims are wrong.  The question is:  So what? Should it make a difference?

One thing is certain.  We will all find the answer to this question when we stand before God in judgment.  In the meantime, I believe this issue is one of those that prompts a Divine wink.

In the New Testament Book of Acts, chapter 17, when the Apostle Paul addressed the Greek polytheists and idolaters at the Areopagus on Mars Hill, he said nothing to criticize their religion. In fact, he complimented them for being very religious. When he saw they had an altar to the unknown god, he began his most extensive sermon recorded in the New Testament, where he says in Acts 17:23, “For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, To The Unknown God. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.” 

He said nothing about the deity of Christ or about Jesus being the only begotten Son of God. In fact, he said in verses 29 to 31, “Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man [Jesus Christ] whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.”

I emphasize the following: Paul did not see it as necessary to focus on the deity of Christ; he referred to Jesus Christ as a man. He revealed that God gave a Divine wink at the ignorance that led these Greek philosophers into polytheism and idolatry. And he referred to the resurrection of Christ to give these Greek philosophers assurance that there is life after death.

Both Muslims and Christians agree that polytheism and idolatry are blasphemous. And yet God was willing to give a Divine wink at the polytheism and idolatry that Paul encountered on Mars Hill.  So, if God was willing to give a Divine wink at these Greeks’ idolatry and polytheism, surely He would also give a Divine wink at our different views about the trinity and the deity of Christ.

What is truly necessary is that Muslims and Christians alike recognize the supreme importance of our submission to and worship of the only true God of the universe.  There is no significant difference in how we live our lives in submission to God. I believe God gives a Divine wink at the doctrinal differences that separate us, because we should not let such doctrinal differences divide us as people who take our faith in God seriously. So I emphasize, regarding the question of Christ’s deity:  So what?  We should no longer live in the fictitious nation of Lilliput.  We must refuse to be enemies.

Please click here to financially help our efforts to promote goodwill and peaceful, edifying relations between Christians and Muslims.

---