[wmfights]

Interesting article.

I think where they get the interpretation wrong though is by thinking that Jesus was speaking literally rather than figuratively. I suspect that one reason for Cyprian to look at that passage literally was due to the competing Christianities of the time. By going with a literal interpretation it would empower his church.

[vladimir998]

You wrote:

"I suspect that one reason for Cyprian to look at that passage literally was due to the competing Christianities of the time."

Uh, yeah, wmfights, Cyprian was writing in about 256 wasn't he? What competing Christianies exactly are you talking about?

Donatists? Didn't exist yet.

Arians? Didn't exist yet.

Novatians? Existed, but weren't a different Christianity, so much as a schism really.

Gnostics? Weren't Christians.

Who was Cyprian in essence competing with? What proof do you have he was interpreting literally to "empower his church"?

[jo kus]

I suspect that one reason for Cyprian to look at that passage literally was due to the competing Christianities of the time. By going with a literal interpretation it would empower his church.

If that isn't an anachronistic statement, I don't know what is...

Regards