It Doesn’t Add Up
I had two people approach me the other day to give me the good news. They pleaded with me to accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. I don’t take offense when people want to share their faith with me. It actually shows they care – I think. Nevertheless, I naturally had some questions.
Actually, come to think of it, there was this one time I did cringe. It was when my father was having surgery in a hospital (may Allah have mercy on him). A group of kind people approached me in the waiting room asking if they could pray for my father. I thought, how sweet of them. “Sure, thank you”, I replied. They formed a circle around me, closed their eyes, and held hands with each other. I was in the middle. Don’t worry. I didn’t understand that part, either. They began praying in the name of Jesus. Yes, I know. Awkward. I don’t know what I was expecting. I slipped out from under their arms as their eyes were closed, exited the hospital and hopped into a getaway car and took off. Ok, that last part didn’t happen, but I did slip out of the room.
Anyway, back to my story. They spoke for some time before it was my turn. I asked them a simple question, “Can you please explain the trinity to me?” They began their pitch, but I wasn’t really interested in buying anything. I’ve heard, the trinity is like an egg – shell, egg white, and yolk, but one egg, argument before. Instead of arguing, I followed-up with another question, “What does one in three and three in one mean exactly?” They told me that you don’t add them up because that would mean three gods, rather, it’s more like multiplication. He asked, “What’s 1 X 1 X 1?” I told him that I wasn’t very good at math, but I believe the answer is one. They glanced at each other as if they had won the day. Unfortunately for them, that argument doesn’t work, either.
I explained to them that by using that logic, any pagan faith can claim to be monotheistic. What do I mean? Well, think about it. Let’s say Religion X worships 100 gods. You tell them that God is only One, and that they should repent and turn back to Him. They can just as easily counter with, “Well, I agree. We worship God, but He simply has 100 personalities. Don’t think addition. Think multiplication. It’s more like 1 X 1 X 1 X 1 X 1 X 1 X … ”
They didn’t really have a response to be honest. They thanked me for my time, gave me a few brochures, and asked for my phone number, so that they can contact me in the near future. I was tempted to give them my brother’s number just to troll him, but I didn’t.
To be continued, I guess …
By: Nader (MW Admin)
Muslim Words 
Hello Muslim Words: Rest assured that not all Christians believe in the Trinity. That blasphemy did not exist in Christianity until the 4th century when Emperor Constantine legalized Christianity and impressed his views on the church. Early Christianity was “emphatically monotheistic” according to virtually all historians. Several Christian sects reject the Trinity formally, countless ministers and congregants reject it personally. It continues to be debated at all levels of the church. God willing, this generation will see the reversal of Constantine’s influence and return to real Christianity. Mohammed said he came to correct some of the problems that had crept into Judaism and Christianity. Islam re-claimed the Bible’s teaching that we are supposed to submit to God, which has been ignored in Jewish and Christian teachings for centuries. Pray we all learn that lesson — and that Muslims reconnect with the law Moses wrote that Jesus further interpreted and that is a necessary first step to achieving the ability to perceive God’s daily guidance so we can indeed submit to God. Best wishes for your spiritual journey. ND of nomagicwandchristianity blog.
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The whole post is a gold. However, these particular lines just made my morning:
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Please keep writing. I really love reading your posts.
Salam from Indonesia, brother.
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Wa’ Salaam! I really appreciate the kind comments. Thanks for reading, and please spread the word.
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I think it’s pretty cool you aren’t rude to Christians or others because most of them don’t intend to be offensive. I think often Christians have tried to explain the dynamics of the Trinity when it’s nearly impossible to explain something you believe to someone who doesn’t believe the same way. I’m sure you have rituals or such that others outside of your belief system don’t understand either. I think the real response should instead be about what it represents more than explain how it works.
the Trinity is meant to be the perfect representation of family. It shows how and models for Christians and anyone that wants to find value in its principles, we can honor, love and respect each other equally. God is a good father in a good mood like we all hope to have. Holy Spirit is the helper and comforter. There as a supporter to encourage and empower you to do the things you think you couldn’t kind of like your mom. Jesus is the perfect representation of love. Offering himself to service and sacrifice to give us the best life and way possible. He is depicted as the groom to Christians (the bride) and as a husband you would do anything for your wife to make her dreams come true and show your love. I’m sure some people won’t agree with my understanding and you may not either. I think if you look at the very root and basics of it then it’s a pretty legit way of trying to live your life which will produce positive results.
Peace on you bro!
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Thank you for the comment, I really appreciate it.
In my humble opinion, most people (in my experience) get too worked up when it comes to interfaith dialogue. Yes, we have a lot in common, but we also have differences – and that’s OK. If one does not convince the other, then we can always cordially agree to disagree.
I also appreciate your explanation. I totally get what it symbolizes and what it represents, but for me, there has to be some logic to it, and also be referenced to explicitly in the scripture. After all, we’re monotheists. When God says He’s One, then that’s what He is, although we know we can never fully comprehend Him. You can read my other post, ‘Why I’m Not a Christian’ for more thoughts on this (if you care to).
You seem like a wonderful person with a positive outlook in life. I dig that. May God always guide us towards the truth. Thanks for participating and being open about this. I joke around a lot, so please don’t ever take what I say, personally. I don’t shy away from discussing faith. It’s a part of life, so why not share our experiences?
“… and you will certainly find the nearest in friendship to those who believe (to be) those who say: We are Christians; this is because there are priests and monks among them and because they do not behave proudly.” {Qur’an 5:82}
Peace on you bro!
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No, I don’t take offense to anything you said and more often than not I get frustrated with other Christians. Nowhere in the Bible does it say convert anyone and Jesus never actually tried to convert anyone. He loved people into a transformational lifestyle. I love people like you that share your beliefs and perspective but can value people in theirs. It’s a mark of humility and admission you don’t have all the answers while still holding firm to your principles. My mission in life is to love people and present hope to them for being powerful people in control of themselves. Jesus came to love and bring hope but much of the church has presented God as angry and ready to judge. In actuality He is in a good mood. I’d love to keep having discussions with you. Be encouraged and keep being a positive influence in your community.
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Wonderfully put. Of the many things I’m sure we both have in common, one is that we both love Jesus (peace be upon him). Thanks for reading, and hope to see you here again. Take care my friend.
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