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 I saw on the Simpsons-- the little boys of the Crhsitian guy- the neighbor to Homer said Daddy if Adam and Eve had 2 children Cain and Able-- did they have sex with Eve or each other.
of course very crude but it got me thinking-- ok who did they have sex with?
Answer Hi Jeff.
First of all, may I apologise for the delay in answering your interesting question. I have just returned, this evening (UK time!) from a few days' holiday, to discover five questions awaiting my attention. This was in spite of the fact that I had advised Allexperts that I would be away, and had had my notification acknowledged! I have already reported this breakdown in the system to the administrator!
Now, to your question. If you read (and if the writers of The Simpsons had bothered to read!) Gen 5:4, you will discover that "After he begot Seth, the days of Adam were eight hundred years; and he had sons and daughters." (NKJV)
What happened was, not that the children of Adam and Eve had a sexual relationship with the parents, but that they had such a relationship with one another - I would presume in a monogamous manner.
Of course, the sceptic will throw up his hands with the cry of "incest". Two things need to be said.
(a) there was no law of incest until a long time after these days, by which time such relationships would be with such distant "cousins" that, even today, no-one would give it a second thought.
(b) the reason for this is that, at the beginning, there was an uncorrupted gene-pool. This meant that there was no danger of the genetic problems that the forbidden relationships would engender, coming about. It is this genetic mix that is forbidden, rather than the blood-relationship per se. The problems are seen in very isolated and close-knit communities in which there has been a lot of "in-breeding".
I trust that this will answer your query but, if you have any further question, please feel free to get back to me.
Best wishes,
C.Brian Ross
