If you say, “The Messiah is only one of God’s words,” then God must have other words besides the Messiah. In that case, treat every word as a creature just as you have made the Word united with the Messiah a creator, for you maintain:

“The Word is the Creator, and it is that by which creation takes place.”

Therefore, declare concerning all the other words of God that each one is both a creator and that through which things are created; the result would be that creators multiply in proportion to the multiplicity of God’s words. And since God’s words are without limit, the creators would likewise be without limit—a conclusion that is sheer falsehood and disbelief.

In short, whatever meaning they attach to the term “Word” exposes the unsoundness of their claim. They speak about matters they do not understand, uttering contradictory lies and blasphemy; all they really have is blind imitation of those who led them astray, just as the Exalted has said:

“Say, O People of the Scripture, do not go to extremes in your religion beyond the truth, and do not follow the whims of a people who went astray before, led many others astray, and themselves strayed from the right path.” (al-Māʾidah 5:77)

Fourth line of argument: One may say to them, “What has not been established by reason has no evidence supporting it in transmitted reports. You do not claim to have reached your view by intellect, but rather by what you suppose has been conveyed from the prophets. Yet you have interpreted His ‘Word’ as His knowledge and wisdom, and the Holy Spirit as His life. From which prophet have you taken the report that God’s knowledge and wisdom are begotten of Him, that they are called a son, that His knowledge or wisdom created all things, that His life created all things, that His knowledge is a creator, a god, and a lord, and that His life is a creator, a god, and a lord, and not—