In Reply to: Re: I'm not sure I get you posted by Traveler on April 25, 2004 at 09:39:38:
I'm not sure I agree that Jesus had a primitive style of communication/negotiating with human egos, since he was the one who said those words. I know what you mean that some people will go all to pieces if you tell them to be perfect (mature, in this case). But I don't know that their quick triggers means that Jesus' words were primitive. I'm more inclined to think that it shows that they have quick triggers. Sure they have reasons, but do you really think Jesus' request for us all to strive for maturity is unresonable and primitive?
Maybe when faced with certain people he would have used different words, but aimed at the same overall effect. For example, both prostitues and hypocritical Pharisees needed to be more mature (perfect if you prefer KJV) but don't you think that Jesus' advice to the prostitute would've been worded more gently than the similar advice to the Pharisee?