The Problem: The Mathematical Fallacy
Monotheistic critics—including Islamic polemicists and Iglesia ni Cristo (INC-1914) debaters—frequently argue that the concept of the Trinity is illogical, claiming that 1 + 1 + 1 must always equal 3. To them, Three Divine Persons in One Godhead is viewed as an absurdity.
However, this objection rests on a failure to recognize the broader linguistic and lexical meanings of the words “ONE” and “ONLY.” Preachers and Christian defenders can open any unabridged English dictionary to demonstrate that “Oneness” in Scripture and in language repeatedly refers to unity, harmony, and composite oneness, rather than just a single cardinal counting unit.
Part I: There Is ONE LORD (YHWH)
The Old Testament foundational text (Shema) affirms that YHWH is One:
Deuteronomy 6:4 (NKJV): “Hear, O Israel: The LORD [YHWH] our God, the LORD [YHWH] is one!”
Deuteronomy 6:4 (NASB): “Hear, O Israel! The LORD IS OUR God, the LORD IS ONE.”
Deuteronomy 6:4 (Iloco, Ti Biblia, 1952): “Denggem, O Israel, ni Jehova a Diostayo, Isu ti maymaysa a Jehova.”
Deuteronomy 6:4 (Tagalog, Ang Biblia, 1982): “Dinggin mo, Oh Israel, ang Panginoon nating Dios ay isang Panginoon.”
Simultaneous Existence of YHWH in the Old Testament:
A striking example of plurality within YHWH occurs in Genesis 19:24:
“Then the LORD [YHWH] rained brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah, from the LORD [YHWH] out of the heavens.” (NKJV)
Here, two distinct manifestations of YHWH exist at the same time—one YHWH executing judgment on earth near Sodom, and another YHWH in heaven above. This dynamic mirrors Matthew 3:16–17, where the Father speaks from heaven, the Son is immersed in water, and the Holy Spirit descends like a dove.
Part II: The Divine Name YHWH Applied to the Three Persons
Scripture explicitly applies the sacred, unshared covenant name YHWH (Yahweh) to all Three Persons of the Godhead:
God the Father is YHWH: * Deuteronomy 6:3–4; Psalm 110:1
God the Son (Jesus Christ) is YHWH: * Isaiah 40:3 (“Prepare the way of the LORD [YHWH]”), directly fulfilled by John the Baptist for Jesus in Matthew 3:3, Mark 1:3, and Luke 3:4–6.
John 12:37–41 explicitly confirms that when Isaiah saw the glory of YHWH on His heavenly throne (Isaiah 6:1–10), he was beholding the pre-incarnate glory of Christ.
God the Holy Spirit is YHWH: * Hebrews 3:7–11 quotes Psalm 95:7–11 (where YHWH speaks to Israel in the wilderness), directly identifying the speaker as the Holy Spirit (“as the Holy Spirit says...”).
Part III: There Is ONE GOD (Elohim)
Scripture repeatedly declares that God is One, emphasizing His absolute exclusivity above all pagan idols (Psalm 95:3; Isaiah 40–41):
1 Corinthians 8:4–6: “...there is no God but one... yet for us there is one God, the Father... and one Lord, Jesus Christ...”
Galatians 3:20: “Now a mediator does not mediate for one only, but God is one.”
1 Timothy 2:5: “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.”
James 2:19: “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!”
Scriptural Evidence of Plurality in the One Godhead:
Psalm 45:6–7 & Hebrews 1:8–9: One Divine Person addresses another as God:
“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever... Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness above Your companions.” Hebrews 1:8–10 identifies the speaker as God the Father addressing the Son as Creator and Eternal God. Their shared divine essence and uncreated nature make the Two Persons ONE.
Acts 5:3–4: Apostle Peter confronts Ananias, stating that in lying to the Holy Spirit, he did not lie to men but to God.
Acts 7:55–56: Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, looks into heaven and beholds the glory of God with Jesus standing at the right hand of God.
Summary of the Title GOD (Elohim / Theos) in Scripture:
The Father is called GOD: Psalm 22:2; Psalm 45:6–7; John 17:3, 5; John 20:17.
The Son (Jesus Christ) is called GOD: Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1–3; John 20:28; Romans 9:5; Philippians 2:5–7; Colossians 2:9; Titus 2:13.
The Holy Spirit is called GOD: Acts 5:3–4.
Simultaneous Manifestations: Genesis 18:1–2, 33; Genesis 19:23–24; Isaiah 6:3–6 cf. John 12:38–41.
Part IV: Lexical & Dictionary Definitions of Key Terms
An examination of authoritative English dictionaries confirms that “One” and “Unity” carry relational and composite meanings that refute unitarian assumptions:
1. Dictionary Definition of “ONE”
As an Adjective: Single; undivided, united; the same; designated at a certain unspecified time (Webster’s Dictionary, p. 373).
As a Noun: The first and lowest cardinal number; an individual thing or person (Webster’s Dictionary, p. 373).
As a Pronoun: An indefinite person; used to apply to many people; someone (Webster’s Dictionary, p. 373).
Extended Lexical Meaning: “(1) Being a single individual or object; being a unit. (2) Being an individual or thing thought of as indefinite. (3) Designating a person, thing, or group as contrasted with another; this; that. (4) Single in kind; the same; closely united or alike. (5) Unitary.” (Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary of the English Language, Vol. 2, p. 883, 1970).
2. Definition of “ONENESS”
Noun: Individuality, singleness, unity (Webster’s Thesaurus, p. 686). Note: “Unity” is a direct lexicographic synonym for “Oneness.”
3. Definition of “ONLY”
Adjective: Alone of its kind; single, sole (Webster’s Dictionary, p. 373).
Adverb: Solely, merely, just, not more than.
Conjunction: Except that, but.
4. Definition of “UNIFY” & “UNION”
Unify (Verb): To make into one; to unite; unification (Webster’s Dictionary, p. 536).
Union (Noun): The act of uniting; a combination of several things, a confederation of individuals or groups, or marriage.
5. Definition of “UNITY”
Unity (Sense 1): Oneness; harmony; concord; (math) the number or numeral one, a quantity assuming the value of one (Webster’s Dictionary, p. 536).
Unity (Sense 2): Classical principle of dramatic structure (unity of action, unity of place, and unity of time) derived from Aristotle’s Poetics.