Muslims tend to think (or say) that the Christian Trinity is:
(1 god) + (1 god) + (1 god) = (3 gods)
But I've heard Christian apologists say that they have the wrong mathematical sign; Muslims would be more accurate if they used the multiplication sign ("x") instead of the addition sign ("+").
In other words:
1x1x1=1
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My question is:
what does the "1" represent in the second equation (left-hand side)??
Is it:
(1 being/person) x (1 being/person) x (1 being/person) = (1 God)??
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Thanks,
Matthew

p.s.
Since Muslims reject that God can become man or that He should be given any anthropomorphic terms attributed to Him, how do you think it best to explain "person-hood" to a Muslim? When we say that God is 3 "persons," what are we saying??

__________________
Matthew Scheffer
Christ The Redeemer (non-denominational)
http://www.christredeemer.com
Spokane, WA

Wouldn't it be:

1 person + 1 person + 1 person = 1 Being?

Remind them...they are unitarian monotheists, we are trinitarian monotheists.

__________________
Conscience may lash us, but it cannot replenish a languishing life. Conscience may be God's word and minister to you, telling you of your faults and your follies and your destitution. It may point out, but it will never supply you. Christ must give you new life. Hart has well expressed it: "He to the feeble and the faint, His mighty aid makes known; and when their languid life is spent, supplies it with His own." - J. K. Popham

I don't understand how adding 3 persons doesn't equal 3 persons.
(1 person) + (1 person) + (1 person) = 3 persons
How do you go from adding 3 persons to 1 being?

If you take a circle and divide it into three sections you don’t have 1+1+1, you have three different sections of a circle. I never liked that analogy, lets try the shamrock. It has three leaves, each one is distinct and individual, but they are part of the shamrock. You wouldn’t count each leaf 1+1+1 and get 3 shamrocks…you simply have three pieces of the shamrock and the leaves are the shamrock.

There is no explanation as to how three persons are one being. Jesus also tells us that when a man and women marry they “are no more twain, but one flesh” and that “God hath joined together” without explaining how this was accomplish. They are still two persons, yet, God somehow joined them as “one flesh” without telling us how.

I think there is a reason why nobody has come up with an answer for this for 2000 years

__________________
Martin - Reformed
Husband to the most godly, honorable and loyal wife Line
Searching for a Church
Webpage www.5solas.dk
Free Online Reformed Seminary - http://www.tnars.net
Soli Deo Gloria

Expositon of the Trinity for Muslim Readers

Google "Patrick Cate Gospel Communication from Within" for a wonderful article.

__________________
Pergamum


"If a commission by an earthly king is considered a honor, how can a commission by a Heavenly King be considered a sacrifice?"
-- David Livingstone

Just got done reading Pat Cate's article.
Thanks for sharing!!
I have a lot of Muslim friends around here
and I plan on using some of his suggestions.

Either this Sunday or next I plan on going
to the local Mosque to take Arabic lessons.
I already have the 'basics' down, but I think
that will be a great way to build relationships
with more Muslims in the Spokane area.

Take care,
Matthew