pynchon-l-digest V2 #1064 (gospels and stuff)

[Paul Mackin]

I get the distinct impression FrodeauxB, David and I all grew up in the
same religious environment-some might say the same insane asylum. My post
(and position) falls half way between them on the relative primacy of the
written word of the New Testament and Apostolic Tradition as far as the
Catholic view of divinely inspired Christian Revelation is concerned. The
viewpoint is pretty well represented by the following quote from the
"Revelation" article in the Encyclopaedia Britannica:

"The Christian revelation is viewed as
occurring primarily in the life, teaching, death,
and Resurrection of Jesus, all interpreted by the
apostolic witnesses under the illumination of the
Holy Spirit. Commissioned by Jesus and empowered by
the divine spirit, the apostles, as the primary
heralds, hold a position in Christianity analogous
to that of the prophets in ancient Israel."

Matthew, Mark and Luke were NOT apostles. It's my understanding (correct me
if I'm wrong) that John the Apostle was only the TRADITIONAL author of the
Fourth Gospel, The Acts, and Revelations.

	 P.