FH wrote:
if we took the bible literally (like some Christians believe), then what
would you have to believe?

let's add them up:

Matt: 3:11

"I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after
me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize
you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire":

fo asks: with "fire"?



Not sure why you are posting in a.h.r, but that's an easy one:

(NASB) Acts 2:1 "When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all
together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a noise
like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they
were sitting. 3 And there appeared to them tongues as of fire
distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. 4 And
they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other
tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance. 5 Now there were
Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven.
6 And when this sound occurred, the crowd came together, and were
bewildered because each one of them was hearing them speak in his own
language."

How about picking some thing that's obviously not intended to be taken
literally, say, poetry from Song of Solomon (or if it is literal, it's
pretty weird.) Or how about Rev 17.

Best regards,
Bob