Benny Hinn immortalized in parody.

[Twisp]

Originally Posted by Timmy

So, if one makes fun of a minister, God might figuratively punish him?

No, that is not what I said. I gave the example not knowing if the intended audience read the Bible as a literal work from God or as a human work in response to God. Therefore I covered both bases by stating the literal reading and the figurative reading.

[Timmy]

Originally Posted by Twisp

No, that is not what I said. I gave the example not knowing if the intended audience read the Bible as a literal work from God or as a human work in response to God. Therefore I covered both bases by stating the literal reading and the figurative reading.

You said it sends the "same message", whether taken literally of figuratively. So, did you mean the real-world result would also be a (real) punishment, even if the story was takend figuratively?

[Twisp]

Originally Posted by Timmy

You said it sends the "same message", whether taken literally of figuratively. So, did you mean the real-world result would also be a (real) punishment, even if the story was takend figuratively?

It does send the same message. The message being, in that situation, God enacted a very real punishment on persons making fun of the man of God.

If you believe that the Bible is not literal, and that the particular story in question is merely a cautionary tale, then it would still be sending the same message: God does not take lightly men of God being made fun of.

You would need to take into account that the author of the story does believe that the Lord will send a real punishment to you, be it she-bears or ninjas or a comet, and he based his myth on real circumstances or actual, lessor, events.

[Timmy]

Originally Posted by Twisp

It does send the same message. The message being, in that situation, God enacted a very real punishment on persons making fun of the man of God.

If you believe that the Bible is not literal, and that the particular story in question is merely a cautionary tale, then it would still be sending the same message: God does not take lightly men of God being made fun of.

You would need to take into account that the author of the story does believe that the Lord will send a real punishment to you, be it she-bears or ninjas or a comet, and he based his myth on real circumstances or actual, lessor, events.

OK.