“So remind me again of the protestant excuse for taking the thrice mentioned “born again” literally, while figuratively understanding “this is my body” ...mentioned five times. “
I’ve NEVER met a Protestant who believes in taking ‘born again’ literally. The only one I ever heard of taking it literally was Nicodemus: “4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”
This is just a test. Please ignore. I am having trouble posting for some reason.
Then you've never met a protestant.
Being "born again" is an act unto itself, not a repetition of birth. Look up "church" in the phone book, and pick one. They'll explain it to you.