@kellyjay saidIt's the the talking snake all over again. Listen, you can't have it both ways. You can't pretend the Garden of Eden was literal and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil was a real tree, but the snake only metaphorically spoke to Eve.
It is to be taken seriously, even those parts that are not literal, and as I said, there are allegory, symbolism, dreams, visions, and such in it. Even the non-literal pieces of scripture are to be taken as seriously as those that are literal.
Where is the alleged “literal” “real” Tree of Life, right now?
I think I have answered this question of yours before.
Today, I definitely believe God wants us to concentrate on Jesus Christ the Son of God being the divine life. I went through many passages in the Gospel of John and a few in the epistles. Christ is the reality of that tree of life as we speak.
Don't be distracted with digging around trying to find what was there is the garden in Genesis.
Does my reply make sense to you?
It is not saying "Why there was no tree of life in a garden in the beginning of man living on this earth."
It is not saying that.
Now may I ask YOU a question?
Is this method of showing allegory or symbolism exists in the Bible have as its CHIEF and most IMPORTANT concern for you as a rationale to disbelieve in literal conscious suffered punishment forever?
Is this the main impetus for often repeated attention to the concept of allegorical things written in the Bible?
@moonbus saidWho is trying to have it both ways?
It's the the talking snake all over again. Listen, you can't have it both ways. You can't pretend the Garden of Eden was literal and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil was a real tree, but the snake only metaphorically spoke to Eve.
