The Simple Math Of One God in 3 Distinct Divine Persons

1 + 1 = 2 is the basic math taught in elementary education. This truth begins with the first step of learning how to count to 10. So proud is the young child, who can run up to grandma and grandpa and spew forth his or her numbers: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.  I know how to count grandma and grandpa! Grandparents beam with pride at their young prodigy! 

The basic numbers then move on to knowledge of what to do with numbers. In approximately first grade, the child learns to add numbers.  It is explained by sight example, one apple, and then another apple gives a person two apples. After the seeing, the math principle is then written as a number equation: 1 PLUS 1 = 2.  Ahhhh, so simple! 1 + 1 = 2. It's common knowledge! No argument, no debate needed!

For the majority of Christians, it is also common knowledge that we worship one God. To those with the gift of Faith, it is an accepted truth. It's common knowledge! No argument, no debate needed until, of course, we begin to speak of the spiritual math of One God in three distinct, divine persons. This knowledge and understanding set Christianity apart from the monotheistic religions of Judaism and Islam.

 If we are trying to explain the mystery of a Trinitarian God, it can be difficult. One is one. There is only One God. When we look into a single mirror, we see the natural sight example of the image of our one physical self reflected back. One is one.

The best way to understand the principle of one God, in three persons, is to think in terms of our human relationships with others. We are one person, but in our single personhood, we can take on many multi-relational roles, such as the role of husband or wife, a parent, a grandparent, a child or grandchild of parent or grandparent, a sister or a brother, niece or nephew. We can also be a cousin, a neighbor, an employee, or a friend. We are one person relating to others in varied relationships.

The God math goes as such: 1 + 1 + 1 = 1.  We have a God, who is understood as our Creator, maker of heaven and earth, and call Father.  After humankind fell from this graced relationship by disobedience, God in his mystical, loving Divinity 'came down to earth.' Christian theology refers to this newly formed relationship with God, Creator, as the Incarnate God, Redeemer.  This Redeemer, both human and Divine. God, the Son, God the Father, were separate 'persons' as any earthly father and son are separate persons. Like an earthly relationship, God, Father, and God, Son are of the same spirit. From this unity of The God who is Father and The Father's ONLY Divine Son, and humanity in union with the Son's ways, there came the next most important relationship with our One God. The 'person' we call Counselor to our minds. The Father and Son, as ONE SPIRIT of Love, referred to as the third 'person' of God, the Holy Spirit. 

1 + 1 + 1 = 1.  It’s the Divine math that assists us as persons to relate to OUR ONE GOD.