AboutRev C.Brian Ross Expertise I am happy to offer answers to anyone with a question that refers to the Christian Faith in its widest possible sense. I believe that the Bible is the living Word of God, and seek to base all of my life on its teaching. I also have some knowledge of some of the cults, and of Islam and Judaism. Of course, my answers are just one man's thoughts, and I would always advise a questioner to check with others, and with the Word of God.
Experience Served as a full-time parish minister in Scotland for about six years, and then spent the last thirty as a teacher (now 'retired') of Religious Education in Secondary Comprehensive schools (ages 11-17) while continuing my own preaching and teaching ministry. I also believe that learning is a life-time process, and have recently completed a Master's degree in Divinity.
Organizations Former Presenter on Revival FM - a local Christian, community radio station, broadcasting in west central Scotland, and online at revival.fm Involved with a number of organisations that support Christians who are currently suffering persecution in some 70 countries around the world.
Publications Various articles in Christian magazines. I also have two blogsites - www.crazyrev.blogspot.com and (with audio messages) www.revcbross.blogspot.com
Education/Credentials Diploma of The Bible Training Institute, Glasgow;
Licentiate in Theology of the University of Glasgow;
Associateship of The Philosophical Society of England;
Bachelor of Arts Degree (Hons) in History from The Open University;
Post-grad Certificate of Education - Religious Education and History;
Post-grad Cetificate in Learning and Teaching;
Post-grad Diploma in Management and Learning in Education;
Master of Science Degree from the University of Strathclyde;
Master of Divinity Degree (Hons) from Trinity College and Seminary (accredited by the University of Liverpool)
Question hi again, i asked you a question a few days ago, about Adam & Eve etc. and your reply was excellent. i have another question, i am seiously interested.
we have all been told about " the Forbidden Fruit " with refernce to Adam & Eve in the Garden of Eden. as a child who went to churc, and sunday school regular, the Forbidden Fruit was often refered to as a Apple,
why a Apple ????? please
kindess regards carol
Answer Hello, again, Carol.
Thank you for your kind remarks - and for another unusual question!
The first point to make is, of course, that the Book of Genesis nowhere mentioned any specific fruit, merely referring to the more generic term 'fruit'.
It is my understanding that the 'popularity' of the apple has come about because of a word-play in the Vulgate - the first generally-accepted Latin version of the Bible (there had been other attempts to translate from the Hebrew and Greek, but this one [4th -5th century]was 'authorised' by the contemporary pope). In the Latin language, the word for 'apple' is 'malum', while the word for 'evil' is also 'malum' ('malus' if used as an adjective). One can see the obvious temptation (no pun intended!), therefore, to use the apple as the fruit that introduced evil to the fledgling humanity.
Other attempts have been made to identify the actual fruit - ranging from a fig to a pomegranate; from a grape to a lemon. For each of the alternatives, there is some level of reasoning but the bottom line is that, for reasons of His own, Father God has not seen it to be necessary that we have that specific information.
The important teaching of Gen.3 is, of course, nothing to do with the specific fruit that was produced by the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil (that may well have been a fruit that was never even seen outwith the Garden in Eden!); but with the indisputable fact that mankind sinned by disobedience, can never make up for that sin, and needs a Saviour. The same Father God Who planted that Garden provided that Saviour in the Person of the Son (you may wish to listen to my audio message on the Doctrine of the Trinity at www.revcbross.blogspot.com). It would be my hope that, while coming up with all of your interesting questions, you will come to a saving knowledge of the Second Adam, and receive eternal life.
