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 think the Trinity is strange: why did God present himself as 3 things (does it
actually say this in the Bible?), and why _those_ 3 things? I can see that 2 are
useful: as a human to explain spiritual things to humans in a familiar and
rational way, by argument, and as spirit to provide love and security or
reassurance by omnipresence, especially by being in every person, but what
about the third, 'God', part? It seems the first 2 have taken over his functions.
Before there was a three-part god, there were prophets to do the human
liaison bit, and I suppose the main god _was_ the spirit; he didn't need to
have a special sub-part for that.
When did God come to be viewed as a Trinity? -- he cannot always have been
so, as the Jews didn't have the Jesus part. But if he is the same god: why more
parts, when being a single God was satisfactory from the beginning? And
surely there can be any number of parts, representing different things; it is
just that these are the three God has chosen to show himself as, no? Or is
there something very basic about the nature of God that he must always have
3 faces?
Why do people think of God as a Trinity -- is it a metaphor for something or
literal? Why is it helpful? Which part do people pray to?
Answer Dear Leila,
Having now read your second question, I realise that I have answered it in my previous reply!! However, what I can now do (with only one more question to answer after this one!) is give you some of the references that I mentioned before.
I am going to make the assumption that the Deity of God (the Father) is not under discussion. So where do Christians get the idea that Jesus (the Son) and Holy Spirit (the Sanctifier) are "also" God?
We read, for example, in John 1:1 that "...the Word was God" It does not take too much further study to discover that this refers to Jesus - a clear statement of His deity. Further, in John 20:30-31, we read that "...Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His Name." (NKJV) In Jewish usage the term 'son of . . .' did not generally imply any subordination, but rather equality and identity of nature. This was recognised by the Jews of the time: "Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God." (John 5:18; NKJV)
So soon after the celebration of the Incarnation, we should also note Matt 1:22-24 "So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 'Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,' which is translated, 'God with us.'"
In the letters, we read "Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily;" (Col 2:8-10;NKJV); and "...Christ Jesus, Who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Phil 2:5-11,NKJV). The word translated "Lord" is the same word used in the Greek language version of the Old Testament to refer to YHWH - God.
With regard to Holy Spirit, we must first note that He is a Person not, as some would have us believe, some sort of impersonal force. Then, in Acts 5:3-5, we find this familiar episode: "But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God." Please note that Ananias (and his wife Sapphira) have lied to the Holy Spirit, and Peter's words make this synonymous with God! To show that this is not even a "New Testament only" idea, we discover in Job - probably, in chronological terms, the oldest book in the Bible, "The Spirit of God has made me,and the breath of the Almighty gives me life." (33:4). As you may be aware, Hebrew poetry (which this is) uses what is called "parallelism" by which a statement is repeated, but in slightly different words. The Spirt is, therefore, synonymous with the Almighty (El Shaddai) - God.
There are, obviously, more references than I could possibly put into one answer, but any good Christian Encyclopaedia will direct you to many of the others.
If I can be of any more assistance, please don't hesitate to ask.
Kind regards,
C.Brian Ross
