Apostolic Life in the 21st Century Does Deuteronomy 6:4 Support Oneness or the Trinity?
Dec 1, 2025
The discussion centers on whether Deuteronomy 6:4 supports a singular view of God or a Trinitarian perspective. Dr. David K. Bernard emphasizes the importance of context, arguing that the scripture addresses pagan beliefs, affirming God's singularity. He highlights that major translations interpret 'echad' as 'one' and shares examples of its use in the Bible to assert numerical oneness. Bernard also explains Jewish thought on the term and reinforces God's uniqueness through Isaiah's writings.
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Don't Be Intimidated By Hebrew Arguments
- Don't be intimidated when opponents cite Hebrew or Greek; translate their claim back into English first.
- Judge word meanings by context rather than by isolated dictionary claims, as David K. Bernard advises.
Context Determines 'One' In Scripture
- The meaning of 'one' depends on context and can be numerical or metaphorical.
- In Deuteronomy 6:4 the context of opposing pagan polytheism points to numerical singularity, Bernard argues.
Check Established Translations First
- Check how mainstream translators render a passage before accepting niche linguistic claims.
- Bernard notes that most translations render Deuteronomy 6:4 as 'one', not 'in unity'.