The Objection
The foundational Jewish confession, the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4), declares 'Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.' Jewish theology interprets this as absolute unity—God cannot be divided into persons. The Trinity is seen as a violation of this core monotheistic principle.
Key Claims
Shema declares absolute divine unity
God cannot become human
Trinity is foreign to Hebrew Bible
Christianity borrowed from paganism
Jewish theology
Christian Response
How apologists address this objection
The Hebrew Bible itself contains hints of plurality within God's unity. Christians affirm the Shema while recognizing complexity in God's nature.
'Echad' (one) in the Shema can denote compound unity (cf. Genesis 2:24—'one flesh')
The 'Angel of the LORD' is identified with God yet distinct (Genesis 16:7-13, Exodus 3:2-6)
Plural language: 'Let us make man' (Gen 1:26), 'Who will go for us?' (Isaiah 6:8)
The 'Son of Man' receives worship from all nations (Daniel 7:13-14)
Wisdom is personified as present at creation (Proverbs 8:22-31)
Michael Heiser, The Unseen Realm