The point I was making is that we cannot take the narrative of the Magi and teach that we should give gold, frankincese, and myrh to Jesus today. Unless the epistles teach that doctrine.

Rick, I agree. Now dang! what am I going to do with all that frankincense I have stored out in the garage?!? Excuse me (running quickly from the computer): “Honey, could you call Achmed’s Camel and Supply Co. and cancel that last order?”

The narrative that Sandman used were recorded scenarios that he suggested could be used as foundational doctrine.

Actually, my giving an alternative view of the Jesus/Mary encounter was to show why we don’t make doctrine (foundational or otherwise) based on a single passage. It’s a position I’ve always held.

If something is true it will be found in the epistles as well. So all of Jesus’ teachings will show up in the epistles since He wrote them as well.

So that would include those subjects that some denominations have roped off and say end of discussion: Spiritual gifts, alcohol, role of women in ministry, slavery, tithing, and many others I don’t have time to list.

Technically, the epistles (and all the other books in the canon) were inspired by God, but still carry the personality, style, and sometimes opinions of the various authors.

(I still think you have to apply the eternal truths and principles to the culture to avoid canonizing a culture, but that’s for another discussion.)

If something is true it will be found in the epistles as well. So all of Jesus’ teachings will show up in the epistles since He wrote them as well.

The truth as I see it comment was humor. Attention is sometimes required in my humor as Iggy has pointed out.

The point I was making is that we cannot take the narrative of the Magi and teach that we should give gold, frankincese, and myrh to Jesus today. Unless the epistles teach that doctrine.

“I am the Truth”
“I am the Life”
“I am the resurrection”
“The Father and I are one”, etc.

Of course Paul’s Christological masterpiece of Colossians and the writer of Hebrews also expands this doctrine but I don’t think you can make the blanket statement that if it isn’t taught in the Epistles it can’t be taught with authority. Could you expound on that in light of the obviously copious amounts of doctrine containined the Gospel narratives?

Your response is a bit surprising because a few days ago you said there was no difference between God’s Truth and “God’s Truth as I see it.” So I guess I’m looking for some clarity.

Off to work I go.

S

Rick: If it isn’t TAUGHT in the epistles, it cannot be TAUGHT with authority.

Well Rick what about Jesus’ teachings in the Sermon on the Mount discourses for example? Why would those necessarily have to be exegeted in the Epistles to have authority? Or are you using a more restricted definition of “doctrine”?

Sandman’s exegesis of a portion of the gospel is a prime example of private interpretation. Even the epistles are sometimes difficult but extrapolating that a narrative reveals doctrinal teaching without the substantiation of the epistles is dangerous (see “the cults)

If it’s true that Jesus ascended sometime between his encounter with Mary and came back later in his appearance later that day before the ten disciples, that would mean we all missed the boat with the Second Coming.

It seems this point is missed on Paul and Jose…

iggy