Page 220 - Prophet Jesus (Pbuh): A Prophet Not A Son, Of God

218 Prophet Jesus (pbuh): A Prophet, Not A Son, of God

Another theologian who met with great opposition was Michael
Servetus (d. 1553), who stated many things taught by the Church for

hundreds of years could not be found in the New Testament at all.
While still in his 20s, he published two books, De Trinitatis erroribus
libri vii (The Errors of the Trinity) and Dialogorum de Trinitate libri ii
(Two Dialogues on the Trinity), both of which elicited a powerful re-
action in Europe. Until then, nobody had written such a courageous
book. Servetus, who said that he was following the footsteps of the
first disciples linked to the Antioch school, was subsequently
hounded by Rome from country to country for many years. He
changed his name, but never his ideas. For that reason, he was burned
at the stake at Genoa on 26 January 1553.

Servetus had an affection for and interest in Islam. In his works,
he devoted a great deal of space to the words of the Prophet
Muhammed (may God bless him and grant him peace) and Islam's
powerful monotheistic belief. In De Trinitatis erroribus libri vii, he em-
phasized that belief in the trinity was incompatible with reason:
How much this tradition of the Trinity has alas, alas! been the
laughing stock of Muhammedans only God knows. The Jews also
shrink from giving adherence to this fancy of ours, and laugh at
our foolishness about the Trinity… And not only the
Muhammedans and the Hebrews but the very beasts of the field,
would make fun of us, did they grasp our fantastic notion, for all
the workers of the Lord bless the One God.. 91

His writings and teachings led to his inhuman murder. However,
today he is still regarded as the founder of modern monotheism by
many Christians.