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 Do Christians believe in multiple gods? I mean: they believe that Allah is not
the same god as Jehovah, for example (don't they)? But in that case, there are
two gods, even before you add all the other religions - I have a vague
momory of someone telling me Christians call the gods of other religions
'false gods': is this correct? What is a 'false god'? A lesser god (in which case,
would they be part of the creation of Jehovah?), or one that does not exist? If
it is believed that the gods of other people do not exist, or are much less
mighty than believed by those people, how do Christians prevent themselves
having a low opinion of those who believe in them? How do they think false
belief came about?
Even if no other god is included, Christians do at least think they worship the
same god as Jews do, don't they, and vice versa?
Answer Hi Leila,
First of all, an apology. I have just returned from a few days holiday and, although I did notify Allexperts, the system appears to have failed to pick this up. I have notified them, and am now trying to catch up with all of my outstanding questions (5 in all!!) as quickly as possible.
Thank you for your own question. Christians believe in one God. However, they believe that He has revealed himself in three Persons. The difficulty for many is one of language. We tend to think of a person as an individual being. Therefore you are a person, I am a person, and my wife is a person. This makes us three persons - and three individuals.
However, when we look God, in Christian doctrine, we discover that we are dealing with the Latin term "persona" from which we derive our English language word "person". The persona was the mask used in the Roman/Greek theatre to differentiate the characters. So, if I had come on to the stage, the audience might have cheered - I would have been wearing the persona of the hero of the drama. A few minutes later I come back on stage, and the audience boo and hiss. This time, I am wearing the persona of the villain of the drama. One being; two personae.
Another way of looking at it is that if two young ladies were to be asked who I am, they could properly reply that I am father; an elderly couple would have answered the same question with "son"; while a lady just a few years younger than I would respond with "husband". One "me" - three personnae. The difference, of course, is one of relationship. So God has revealed Himself as Father in the work of creation; as Son in the work of redemption; and as Holy Spirit in the work of sanctification (i.e. making the followers of Jesus, the Son, more like Him). He is one God, but three personnae.
The Word of God, the Bible, does not use te word "trinity", but there are countless references to the deity ("godness") of both Jesus and Holy Spirit. Each is different and separate, but each is God in His fullness.
This is not the easiest doctrine to explain in a relatively short answer, and I am aware that I haven't dealt with all of the points that you have raised. Please feel free to come back to me in a day or two, when I have caught up (to some extent!) with the outstanding questions that I had not expected!
best wishes,
C.Brian Ross
