(October 15, 2013 at 4:37 pm)John V Wrote: Yes, we get it. When you propose an addition to the text, it's a logical conclusion. When we do the same, it's fan-fic.
Wrong. I'm not adding to the text. "These people came to that house to visit so and so" suggests, unless otherwise noted in the story, that the house belongs to "so and so". I think it's fair to say everyone would read it that way but for your need to square it with Luke, whereupon you write a "good explanation" for it.
In sum, my explanation for the mysterious house is:
"That's his house"
No fan fic required. Nothing else need be added to the Gospel story according to Matthew.
Your explanation for the mysterious house is roughly,
"Joseph arrived for the census, went back to Nazareth, then returned to Bethlehem because he got a great job offer and then had to flee to Egypt."
Occam's Razor.
Atheist Forums Hall of Shame:
"The trinity can be equated to having your cake and eating it too."
... -Lucent, trying to defend the Trinity concept
"(Yahweh's) actions are good because (Yahweh) is the ultimate standard of goodness. That’s not begging the question"
... -Statler Waldorf, Christian apologist
"The trinity can be equated to having your cake and eating it too."
... -Lucent, trying to defend the Trinity concept
"(Yahweh's) actions are good because (Yahweh) is the ultimate standard of goodness. That’s not begging the question"
... -Statler Waldorf, Christian apologist