God With Us and Without Us, Volumes One and Two , livre ebook

Imad Shehadeh has provided a thorough biblical, theological, and philosophical
presentation of the nature and attributes of God. His work refects careful
scholarship as well as a well-reasoned presentation. He is both fair and faithful
in setting forth the God of the Bible.
Mark L. Bailey, PhD
President and Senior Professor of Bible Exposition,
Dallas Teological Seminary, Dallas, Texas, USA
Dr Imad Shehadeh is a godly theologian with a pastor-teacher-evangelist’s
heart. As a beloved friend for nearly twenty-fve years, it has been a joy to
see the powerfully clear truths in this book forged in the heart and mind of
Imad. Tis book has come forth through painstaking exegesis of the text of
God’s word, copious original historical research, and with constant, prayerful
waiting upon God. Trough years of the fery trials of serving on the frontlines,
Imad has come forth with humble clarity, refned confdence, and a focused
championship of the non-negotiable essentials of biblical Christianity. Te
Trinity is the foundation of true biblical Christianity. Te Trinity is the only
way to understand the efcacy of the just death of Jesus Christ. Te Trinity is
the only way to answer the raging question of who is the One True and Living
God. No theologian of our generation has done more to advance such essential
and true theology than this work by Dr Imad Shehadeh.
Rev John Barnett, DMin
Founder, Discover the Book Ministries
Few issues separate as many people as the meaning of the unity of God. Nearly
4.5 billion people are divided over this question. Some Christians live as if
there were three Gods without acknowledging it. Many non-Christians believe
the Trinity is composed of Father, Son and Mary. Beginning with his doctoral
dissertation, Dr Imad Shehadeh has been studying and teaching the Trinity
for over thirty years. Few have as deep an understanding of this vital question
as he possesses. Dr Shehadeh is well aware of the scholarship and debates
down through the ages – he is fuent in Arabic, English, Greek and Hebrew
and he lives in the midst of the monotheistic religions. Clearly understanding
the diferences, and what the Bible teaches, is a frst step in opening a door between the immense monotheistic religions. God With Us and Without Us is
a signifcant key for all who desire to help open closed doors to the good news.
Pat Cate, PhD
Adjunct Professor of Intercultural Studies,
Dallas Teological Seminary, Dallas, Texas, USA
President Emeritus, Christar International
In this work, Dr Imad Shehadeh introduces a topic of interest to any serious
reader of Christian theology or other epistemological or philosophical sciences
that are concerned with the nature of God. Te author treats the Scriptures
very seriously and objectively without avoiding thorny and controversial topics.
From the beginning to the end, the reader fnds himself in a bold dialogue
that mimics the reality and history of philosophical and theological ideas in
the Middle East. Te abundance of charts and illustrations enriches the book
and makes it accessible to a wide range of readers at all levels and theological
backgrounds. Tis is a must-read and deserves re-reading and serious study
of all its pages. It will impose a mandatory study by any Christian theologian.
Tis work deserves to be a model for infuential theological research in its
surroundings. Indeed, according to the author’s introductory word, it is “a
journey of refection and discovery of the true and eternal nature of God.”
Milad Dagher, PhD
Director,
Christian Alliance Institute of Teology, Beirut, Lebanon
Dr Imad Shehadeh brings us this indispensable treasure. Te writer takes us
on a pleasant journey of a new discovery of the true nature of God through
his inspired word, and also through logic that corresponds to the same holy
word. In his writing, Dr Shehadeh adopts a consistent and reasoned method
of ideas in a spirit of faith that seeks understanding.
Afer confrming that God’s eternal existence is consistent with the work
of his eternal attributes, the author moves to demonstrate that the eternal
attributes of God presuppose a relationship between persons in a trilogy that
is at least three and at most three. Tis trilogy is also shown to be afrmed
perfection through eternal oneness. Te writer presents the Trinity as a mystery
to be discovered rather than a problem to be solved.
With exceptional professionalism accompanied by the anointing of the
Holy Spirit, our dear colleague also portrays the doctrine of the Trinity as based on the activity of the attributes of God outside of creation, or as he calls
it, “God without us.” With exegetical and theological skill, he illustrates that
the activity and perfection of God’s attributes within creation spring from their
activity and perfection outside creation. Tis concept is absolutely essential
to any believer, university professor, diligent student, serious researcher, and
faithful minister.
Amal Gendi, DMin
Dean of Training and Teological Education,
Pioneers, Canada
Te appeal of this work to the believer in Oneness in Trinity is to cease from
viewing the Trinity as a problem to be solved. Tis is a call to see the Trinity as
a beauty to be continually discovered and enjoyed. Te appeal of this book to
adherents of Absolute Oneness is to begin the journey of trust in the perfection,
equality and harmony of all God’s attributes.
It is more than thirty years since I identifed “the concept of relationship”
within the godhead as a “key to the comparative understanding of Christianity
and Islam” (Temelios 11 [1986]: 57–60). I am delighted that Imad Shehadeh
has powerfully used this key to open an inspiring systematic understanding
of the triune God of the Bible in conversation with the alternative of God as
absolutely singular. Te reader will be introduced to history as well as to logic,
will fnd the argument carefully and clearly set out, and will be led towards
awed worship at the sheer beauty of God.
Tis is a very valuable work. People interacting with “Absolute Oneness” need
to rejoice in the Trinity rather than to fear trying to explain it. Tis will greatly
help many people and will bring much glory to Father, Son and Holy Spirit!
Ida Glaser, PhD
International Academic Coordinator,
Te Centre for Muslim-Christian Studies, Oxford, UK
Dr Shehadeh has the courage to venture into the discussion of a complex
doctrine. In his thorough and deep approach, he has been able to utilize
Western resources as well as interacting with Arabic resources that have not
been translated into modern languages. I have found his discussion on avoiding
common errors about the Trinity to be illuminating as he skillfully weaves
together ancient and modern issues. Dr Shehadeh provides very informative
arguments on the Absolute Oneness and the Oneness in Trinity. Any serious student who wishes to explore the foundational doctrine of the Holy Trinity
cannot ignore this helpful resource.
Rev Riad Kassis, PhD
Director,
Scholars Programme, Langham Partnership
Imad Shehadeh has written an excellent primer on perhaps the most
misunderstood teaching of the Christian faith – the biblical doctrine of the
Trinity. What does it mean to say that the one God is triune? How does this
unique understanding of God’s very nature difer from other monotheistic
views? Why is it vital to grasp the diference? For Christians, Dr Shehadeh’s
readable and thoroughly biblical treatment will deepen and inspire them, not
to mention alert them to and guard them from, all too common errors. For
non-Christians, this book will usher them to the wondrous beauty and power
of the triune vision of God that is the beating heart of the Christian faith.
Duane Litfn, PhD
President Emeritus,
Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois, USA
God With Us and Without Us is a foundation stone added to theological
research known by Dr Imad Shehadeh. Since I knew the author from about
thirty years ago as a servant of Christ, I have seen in him the robust scholar, the
precise expositor and systematic theologian who does not hesitate to delve into
the thorny issues of faith that have occupied the church throughout the ages,
supremely exemplifed in the oneness of God in three persons. Although much
has been written in this area over the years, what distinguishes this work is that
it exposes the predicament of non-trinitarian systems in comprehensiveness
of research, accuracy of exegesis, use of the original languages of the Bible,
and richness of illustrations and tables that aid learner and teacher to address
the doctrine of the Trinity. It also reveals the beauty and power of Trinity that
leads to a deeper worship of the true God. We pay tribute to Dr Imad for his
work, written in Arabic also, which enriches our English and Arabic libraries
and provides a great service to the church as well as to future generations of
scholars and students of theological knowledge.
Tony Maalouf, PhD
Distinguished Professor of World Christianity and Middle Eastern Studies,
Southwestern Baptist Teological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas, USAWith distinguished achievement, the versed the