Anyway, you do make a good point, of course. Hyperliteralism is the heart of the problem: this "problem" (my question about a conflict of interest, I mean, which was at least partly TIC) as well as many, many others. I hope nobody ever cuts off a hand or plucks out an eye, as recommended in Matthew and Mark, or literally forsakes father, mother, etc., to gain literal eternal life (Matthew 19:29).
But, of course, there probably are some who read those very scriptures and figured they really meant what they said. And who can blame them? Let me ask you this: is what Jesus said in those hand-severing, eye-plucking scripture actually, literally true? I mean, suppose the choice really was set before you: either pluck out your eye or end up in hell. What would you choose?
And maybe, in your theology, it isn't all that far fetched. Maybe you have a problem with pornography. Pluck out both of your eyes, and voila! Temptation's gone!
Disclaimer: if you do have a problem with pornography, do not take Jesus' advice! This is a bad time to try to prove that hyperliteralism has an "up side"!
Now, the big question is this:
How literal is too literal?
And this big, bold (literally! ) question has to be answered individually for evertthing in the Bible. No wonder there are people who devote their entire lives to answering such questions. (Since so many people actually think it is of utmost importance to get answers!)
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
It's so simple! Why didn't I see it before? The entire key to salvation, and the need for it, and how it works and why, and the whole nine yards! OK, first, the need for salvation is very simple. I actually have mentioned this before, but just for review:
Q. Why does every man and woman need salvation?
A. Because without it, they will be punished for not doing the impossible (i.e., being perfect).
. . . .
It occurred to me that this idea (punishing us for not doing the impossible) lines up well with the fig tree incident.
12 And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry:
13 And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet.
14 And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it. . . .
20 And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.
21 And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away.
22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.
There is so much to learn from this! What does God expect from us? (No excuses!) What will happen if we don't produce? What will happen when we have faith in God?
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
12 And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry:
13 And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet.
14 And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it. . . .
20 And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.
21 And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away.
22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.
There is so much to learn from this! What does God expect from us? (No excuses!) What will happen if we don't produce? What will happen when we have faith in God?
In Matthew, the part about the season is omitted. (Did he think is was odd, too?) Both accounts have the withering, and both have Jesus encouraging his disciples to do amazing things with their own faith, like He just did.
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
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