Podcast Summary: Renewing Your Mind — "The Trinity"

Date: October 1, 2025
Host: Ligonier Ministries
Featured Speakers: R.C. Sproul and Abdul Saleeb
Theme: Understanding the Doctrine of the Trinity in Christianity and its Distinction from Monotheism in Islam

Overview

In this episode, R.C. Sproul and former Muslim Abdul Saleeb engage in a thoughtful discussion on the doctrine of the Trinity, its centrality to Christian faith, misunderstandings and objections from Islamic perspectives, and its practical significance for believers. The conversation carefully distinguishes between types of monotheism and the meaning of divine unity, addresses accusations of irrationality, and emphasizes how the Trinity shapes Christian life and worship.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Monotheism in Christianity vs. Islam (00:00–02:11)

• Christianity Is Passionately Monotheistic:
  R.C. Sproul sets the stage, asserting Christianity's deep commitment to monotheism, equal to or exceeding that of Islam and Judaism.

  “There is no religion in this world more passionately committed to monotheism than Christianity.” (00:00, R.C. Sproul)

• Islam’s View of Monotheism:
  Abdul Saleeb explains how Islam sees itself as the preserver of "pure" monotheism, correcting what Muslims believe are the corruptions or deviations of other faiths, particularly Christianity’s doctrine of the Trinity.

  “Muslims believe that the gift of Islam to the world of religions is pure monotheism… Christianity has been profoundly corrupted by introducing the notion of the Trinity.” (02:11, Abdul Saleeb)

2. Islamic Objections to the Trinity (02:11–07:38)

• The Qur’anic Perspective:
  Saleeb cites Qur’an passages (Surah 4:171; 5:76, 5:19) that explicitly deny the Trinity and warn against associating partners with God, even suggesting misunderstandings where Mary is seen as part of the Trinity.

• Accusations of Logical Incoherence:
  Saleeb references Muslim scholar Shabir Akhtar’s criticism of the Trinity as “incoherent” and “nonsense,” emphasizing the challenge of making sense of “one God in three persons.”

  “Complexity is one thing, incoherence another. Paradox is one thing, nonsense another.” (05:49, Abdul Saleeb quoting Akhtar)

3. Distinguishing Contradiction, Paradox, and Mystery (07:38–16:23)

• Refuting the Charge of Contradiction:
  Sproul distinguishes between contradiction (violating the law of noncontradiction), paradox (apparent contradiction), and mystery (truths beyond full human comprehension).

  “A mystery is not inherently unintelligible. A mystery does not violate the law of non contradiction. A contradiction does.” (15:22, R.C. Sproul)

• Definition of the Trinity:
  Sproul argues the Trinity is not three gods or three beings, but “one essence, three in person,” affirming monotheism while upholding Scripture’s revelation.

  “Christianity has resisted any heretical idea that there are three parts to God, that there are three beings or three gods in any crass, polytheistic way.” (09:27, R.C. Sproul)

• Incomprehensibility of God:
  The doctrine of God’s incomprehensibility is not that God cannot be known at all, but that finite humans cannot fully comprehend the infinite.

  “We cannot know God in his exhaustive fullness. That’s what we mean by incomprehensibility. Not that he’s utterly unknowable, but rather… there are also dimensions of God that are beyond our human understanding.” (12:38, R.C. Sproul)

4. Explaining the Trinitarian Formula (16:23–18:30)

• One Essence, Three Persons:
  The “threeness” describes personal distinctions that do not divide or compound God’s essence.

  “God is one single being. He’s 1 in A, 3 in B. The plurality is in a different category from the category of being. The Church speaks of subsistences within God, you know, not three distinct essences.” (16:31, R.C. Sproul)

• No Contradiction:
  Belief or disbelief in the Trinity is a matter of faith, but it cannot be logically dismissed as a contradiction.

  “What you cannot demonstrate is that the formula for the Trinity breaks the law of contradiction… the doctrine of the Trinity is neither irrational nor nonsensical, nor is it contradictory.” (17:30, R.C. Sproul)

5. Practical Relevance of the Trinity (18:30–23:25)

• Impact on Christian Living:
  The Trinity is not abstract theology: it directly affects obedience, worship, and the Christian’s relationship to God. Sproul points out that if Christ is God incarnate, his authority over the believer is ultimate and practical.

  “It’s one thing to have moral suggestions by a great teacher… It’s another thing to have commands imposed upon me by God incarnate.” (19:46, R.C. Sproul)

• Ministry of the Holy Spirit:
  The Holy Spirit’s active role in sanctification provides believers with divine empowerment.

  “Any Christian who lives out the Christian life is intimately familiar… with the practical implications of the ministry of the Spirit in his life.” (22:28, R.C. Sproul)

• Experience of the Triune God in Prayer:
  Saleeb references C.S. Lewis on prayer as participation in the Trinity—praying to the Father, in the name of the Son, through the Spirit.

  “You are talking to God, but it is God in you who is drawing you to Himself. And this relationship has been established because of Jesus Christ.” (22:46, Abdul Saleeb)

  “The whole creation is a Trinitarian.” (23:13, R.C. Sproul)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Christian Monotheism vs. Islamic Monotheism:

  “There is no religion in this world more passionately committed to monotheism than Christianity.” (00:25, R.C. Sproul)

• On Understanding the Trinity:

  “Complexity is one thing, incoherence another. Paradox is one thing, nonsense another.” (05:49, Abdul Saleeb quoting Shabir Akhtar)

  “If the trinitarian formula violated the law of non contradiction, I wouldn’t believe it. I would reject it in a heartbeat. But that’s not the case.” (17:27, R.C. Sproul)

• On Mystery and Faith:

  “A mystery is not inherently unintelligible… A mystery does not violate the law of non contradiction. A contradiction does.” (15:22, R.C. Sproul)

• On the Holy Spirit’s Role:

  “I don’t know anything more practical than to know that my quest for obedience is not wrought simply in my own power, but that I have been empowered by God Himself...” (22:22, R.C. Sproul)

• On Living the Trinity:

  “Even in the simple act of prayer, when a believer kneels down … you are involved in the life of the Trinity.” (22:46, Abdul Saleeb)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Monotheism and Introduction to Trinity:
  • 00:00–02:11
• Islamic Objections, Qur’anic Discussion:
  • 02:11–07:38
• Distinguishing Contradiction, Paradox, Mystery:
  • 07:38–16:23
• Explaining Trinitarian Formula:
  • 16:23–18:30
• Practical Relevance for Believers:
  • 18:30–23:25
• Trinity in Prayer and Worship:
  • 22:46–23:25

Conclusion

This episode provides a robust defense of the doctrine of the Trinity, directly engages with Islamic and secular critiques, and shows the vital importance of the Trinity for Christian belief and practice. Sproul and Saleeb’s dialogue offers valuable clarity for Christians seeking to understand and articulate their faith in increasingly pluralistic contexts.