Part 8 (1/2)

_Cursing Nature_

The act in Jesus' life that has been most difficult for theologians to explain was the cursing of the fig tree. The tree was created to bear fruit in the Summer, but when Jesus found it without fruit in the Spring, he cursed it so that it withered away.

”Now in the morning, as he returned into the city, and when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforth for ever.

And presently the fig tree withered away.”[1] ”For the time of figs was not yet.”[2]

This episode involves several mistakes--ignorance of the seasons; destruction of a profitable food-producing tree; exhibition of temper when thwarted, and giving false information regarding man's power to effect physical changes by a curse.[3]

If Jesus acted unwisely in this one instance and was right in all others, he is neither an infallible G.o.d nor a perfect pattern for mankind.

_Forgiveness_

The conventional Jesus is emblematic of supreme kindness and forgiveness, but in reality he was far from lenient in many instances, nor did he advocate forgiveness for certain offenses.

”Moreover if thy brother shall trespa.s.s against thee ... tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican.”[4]

In the parable of Dives and Lazarus, Abraham was represented as justified in not forgiving the rich man tortured in h.e.l.l, or even in saving the rich man's brothers as requested by the victim of Jesus'

policy of punishment.

Again Jesus said: ”Whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father.”[5] ”Whosoever shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness.”[6]

All the wicked were condemned by Jesus to eternal punishment with no chance of forgiveness.

_Vituperation_

Jesus was often vehement in his language to an extent hardly compatible with gentleness of character.

”O generation of vipers! how can ye, being evil, speak good things?”[7]

”Woe unto you, hypocrites, for ye compa.s.s sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him two-fold more the child of h.e.l.l than yourselves.”[8]

”Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the d.a.m.nation of h.e.l.l?”[9]

”If I should say I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you.”[10]

”All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers.”[11]

”Ye fools and blind.”[12]

This language may have been necessary, in Jesus' opinion, to convince his hearers of their sins, but such vituperation does not become a modern ethical teacher.

_Destruction of Property_

Two acts of Jesus, consistent with his disregard of worldly goods, were destructive in character.

”And there was a good way off from them a herd of many swine feeding. So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine. And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters.”[13]