Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!yale!husc6!panda!genrad!mit-eddie!cybvax0!mrh From: mrh@cybvax0.UUCP (Mike Huybensz) Newsgroups: net.religion.christian,talk.religion.misc Subject: Re: Jesus and the Fig tree -researched- Message-ID: <1180@cybvax0.UUCP> Date: Mon, 6-Oct-86 18:19:49 EDT Article-I.D.: cybvax0.1180 Posted: Mon Oct 6 18:19:49 1986 Date-Received: Sat, 11-Oct-86 10:31:42 EDT References: <2589@watdcsu.UUCP> Reply-To: mrh@cybvax0.UUCP (Mike Huybensz) Distribution: net Organization: Cybermation, Inc., Cambridge, MA Lines: 73 Xref: linus net.religion.christian:4842 talk.religion.misc:434 In article <2589@watdcsu.UUCP> magore@watdcsu.UUCP (M.A.Gore - ICR) writes: > The story of the Fig tree is an example of 'Harvest' as > Jesus *states* in Luke. The concept of 'Harvest' or 'Judgement' > is a *main* concept in the Bible. After many parables about > 'Harvest' 'Judgement' 'Repentance' & 'Fruit' Jesus outlines this parable: There are numerous problems with this sort of approach to the Bible. The first is the assumption of uniform analogy: central facets of societies (such as harvest) tend to become richly burdened with multiple meanings and metaphors. On other words, one usage of "harvest" isn't necessarily the same as another. The second problem is the assumption that JC's teachings (as related in the Bible) were sequenced in some sort of progression, rather than produced as required to fit the circumstances JC encountered. Thus, stringing together portions of the Bible that seem related by modern ideas of a theme may produce false patterns. > All these things go hand in hand with what Jesus did to the Fig tree as > in His parable. So what about destroying a the tree to show an idea that > he had outlined over and over? Well... > > Matthew 21:19-20 (NIV) " Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went > up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he > said to it, "May you never bear fruit again!" Immediately > the tree withered. When the disciples saw this, they were > amazed. "How did the fig tree wither so quickly?" they asked. > > Seems just like the story in Luke 13:5... It's questionable whether Luke and Matthew are telling about different incidents or whether one of them has it wrong. > So was it 'right' for him to kill the tree rather than heal it (or even > one might ask "Do we have the 'right' question?". > > I contend if we look at the Scripture Jesus was showing his Authority over > Nature (which will also be cast into the fire). Scripture also shows that JC could have just as easily shown his authority over nature by causing the tree to bear fruit. It's also interesting to note that JC told the apostles that if they had faith, they could also kill trees, and even move mountains. To me, this doesn't sound much different from Satan tempting Jesus. > For the person who said the destruction of the Fig tree was wanton > destruction. Can I ask you does an artist destroy a rock they sculpt into a > work of art? Bad analogy. JC could just as well created a new, bearing tree from nothing. > I contend that if you *look* for the > internal consistency of the Bible you will find it. If you look for anything hard enough, you will find it: if only through self-delusion. I'm sure that thousands of people have found internal consistancy in the Bible: only how many of them agree with each other? So what is their perceived "internal consistency"? Likely nothing more than their own consistency of interpretation. Their delusion is thinking that their consistency is the Bible's. That's why there are thousands of Christian sects out there which can't agree on much at all. -- "Do you want real TRUTH in capital letters? Then search yourself for why you believe the things you do. Don't be afraid to analyze why your religion gives you the high it does. Answer yourself this question: Is TRUTH important enough for me to give up my religion if that is required? Until you answer yes to this you are not being honest with yourself." Dave Trissel -- Mike Huybensz ...decvax!genrad!mit-eddie!cybvax0!mrh