The article assumes a lot, but does not give data supporting the assumptions.
The Magi’s gifts for example. Gold- how much gold? A trunk load, or a couple of grains in a tiny box- a token? The same with the frankincense and myrrh- how much, and how much was it worth at the time? How long would such riches have lasted a family of three? Certainly not till Jesus’ adulthood.
And UNDERGARMENTS?!?! How valuable could ANY underpants
( used at that) ever be in any culture? Perhaps the gambling was more about SHAMING- stripping someone of their last vestige of humanity?
Talk about reaching for an excuse to suck money out of people for another Rolex or Rolls in the name of ‘Christianity’! Man....people like these preachers are gonna burrrrrnnn!
“How long would such riches have lasted a family of three?”
Maybe as long as it took to escape to Egypt and survive while there and then return. I just read “The Case for Christmas” and Mr. Strobel said the gifts could have been used for their escape.
I have no idea if he’s right or wrong, I’m just shaking my head in wonder at how people think that this idea is pure blasphemy, when the reality is that it wouldn’t matter one way or the other. It wouldn’t negate Jesus’ teachings in the slightest.
Frankincense and Myrrh were more valuable than gold at the time. It seems from family background they were of comfortable means, and the gifts bestowed upon him from the magi certainly made relocating to egypt possible.