Jesus' Two Acts of Violence

Theologians (of the ancient Greek variety), point out that Jesus merely raised the whip, threatening, but did not actually strike, though he did rearrange the furniture.

There were only two mentions of Jesus’ violence. The other was the fig tree. Jesus said "zeranthesete" (be thou withered), and the next day, the apostles noticed that the tree had withered. (the word Xerox, comes from that same Greek word, meaning "dry").

Now it is MY theory that the fig tree was the cause of its own suffering, rather than Jesus’ curse.

The fig tree gave the semblance of being in full bloom, and bearing sweet fruit. But, the tree was all show and no fruit. Now, you might say that "fruit" is a metaphor for "works". The tree paid lip-service to ripe figs, but was barren. Such an interpretation does not sit well with a theology of "sola fides" (salvation by faith alone). The ten foolish virgins were VIRGINS, i.e. they had a form of purity, AND they had OIL (the word for OIL in Greek is almost the same as the word for MERCY ... eleimosinary). But the foolish virgins did not have ENOUGH OIL. And the ten wise virgins explained that it is not possible to lend them any oil. You have to do the works and bear the fruit YOURSELF. No one can do it for you, or lend you merit or grace. Now, obviously the ten foolish virgins had faith in the bridegroom’s coming. Mere faith was necessary, but not sufficient.