Muslims believe that the Shema emphasizes the absolute oneness of God, which contradicts the Christian belief in the Trinity.

The Shema, which declares the oneness of God, is often cited by Muslims to argue against the Christian doctrine of the Trinity. However, Christian theology does not see this as a contradiction. In the New Testament, Jude explicitly refers to both the Father and Jesus Christ, distinguishing their roles while affirming their divine nature. Jude calls the Father 'the only God' and Jesus 'our only Master and Lord', which suggests a binitarian understanding rather than a strict unitarian one. Furthermore, the use of terms like 'despotes' and 'kyrios' in reference to Jesus indicates that early Christians recognized His divine authority, paralleling the Old Testament references to Yahweh. This linguistic connection shows that the early church viewed Jesus as sharing in the divine identity, even while distinguishing Him from the Father. Moreover, the New Testament consistently presents Jesus as central to the salvation narrative, which does not negate the oneness of God but rather enriches the understanding of God's nature as revealed in Christ. This is evident in passages where Jesus is worshipped and praised, reflecting His divine status alongside the Father. In conclusion, the Christian interpretation of the Shema and the New Testament writings supports a complex understanding of God's nature that includes both unity and distinction, aligning with the binitarian perspective rather than a strict adherence to the Islamic interpretation of God's oneness.