You have a misunderstanding of a “literal interpretation” of scripture. Taking a literal approach doesn’t mean you take non literal language (symbolism, metaphor, etc…) literal.
The Literal Interpretation method is like looking at the Bible in the most direct way possible, trying to understand what the authors meant using the regular meaning of words. It considers the historical and cultural background to get what the writers were saying. And here's the cool part – it doesn't force us to interpret everything as if it's all literal. So, if the Bible uses symbols or metaphors, this method encourages us to get what those symbols mean in the bigger picture, not necessarily taking them word-for-word. It's a way to appreciate the different writing styles in the Bible while still aiming to understand what the authors were trying to tell us.
Clearly, the two TYPES of "trees" are discussed separately.
There are the trees good for beauty and for food.
It was good to eat of the trees for food (literal fruit).
And THEN ... there (in the midst) are the Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.
It is the "literal tree" doctrine that makes no sense at all.
Explain THAT, according to your literal doctrine. You can't.
You have a misunderstanding of a “literal interpretation” of scripture. Taking a literal approach doesn’t mean you take non literal language (symbolism, metaphor, etc…) literal.
The Literal Interpretation method is like looking at the Bible in the most direct way possible, trying to understand what the authors meant using the regular meaning of words. It considers the historical and cultural background to get what the writers were saying. And here's the cool part – it doesn't force us to interpret everything as if it's all literal. So, if the Bible uses symbols or metaphors, this method encourages us to get what those symbols mean in the bigger picture, not necessarily taking them word-for-word. It's a way to appreciate the different writing styles in the Bible while still aiming to understand what the authors were trying to tell us.