Allie wrote:
They are apostate. There are a lot of chaff mixed with the wheat. Where there is good biblical teaching most unbelievers can't continue to endure it and leave. There is your answer. Dispensational and Covenant Theology is not the issue. Either you love God or you don't.
[/QU

Well said Allie, many a denomination of different views have become apostate and departed from their original doctrinal position, Dispensationalist are no exception, the Brethren movement is a dysfunctional group today, falling out and disagreeing with each other.
Because they don't believe in mutual over sight or support each individual church is a law unto themselves.
One denomination that has remained faithful to its origins is The Protestant Reformed Churches; but even they have their detractors.

Luke places the family in Bethlehem already in situ at the time of Christ's birth.

John Yurich USA wrote:
Just because I have not left the RCC and have not united with an Evangelical Church does not mean that I don't accept justification by faith alone and that I am not saved. It is not required for salvation to leave the RCC and unite with an Evangelical Church. And my religious beliefs are no business of my priest. And so I will not discuss my religious beliefs with my priest. You stated I have not stated that I accept justification by faith alone. Well I am stating now in no uncertain terms that I accept justification by faith alone.
[/QUOTE
You don't talk to your Priest about your faith?
Don't you care about his soul?
Don't you believe in the communion of the saints?
Do you believe the Apostles Creed?
Your a law unto your self and so you don't understand the Christian faith at all.

Mike wrote:
Cows and sheep in the house would have made for interesting fragrances throughout. Perhaps this is myth as well?
[/Q
It was common practice in Europe and the middle east up to the 14th and 15th century for the poorest people to keep their live stock in their homes.
We must not forget we are talking about a different culture when ones wealth was your live stock.
The idea of Mary and Joseph turning up on the 24 of December in Bethlehem nine months pregnant is more to do with interpreting a nativity play and not scripture.

While we agree the account in Matthew 2 and Luke 2 are different visits the word inn found in Luke 2 is also the same word translated upper room in Luke 22:11 but not the same he used in the parable of the good Samaritan 10:25-37.
The upper room in Jewish homes being a guest room.
It was the upper room or guest room that was full and so Christ's family were taken into the family home, .
Also in the family area people kept their most valuable possessions namely animals with them and so the manger was not out of place in a house.

While Luther did keep the season Calvin only retained it out of pragmatism.
The Reformers where guided by the Bible and not a direct revelation of the Holy Spirit.
It is quite revealing that while the Apostles were led into all truth by the Holy Spirit John 16:13 they never kept it nor commanded it to be kept.

The nation which came into being in 1948 is NOT the Israel of God nor of the Bible, but all the true Israel of God are all born of the Spirit of God Gal 6:14-16.
If you are outside of Christ your not of God Rom 8:9.