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2. But why can't the confessions agree in appealing to early tradition as norm? Because early tradition – -- ie., the New Testament – -- is not unified enough to function as a norm. Far from grounding the unity of the church, it is really the basis of the plurality of the confessions (Käsemann).

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4. But, then, what is the right method of using the New Testament? The wrong method is to use it as a recipe book with whose help one can immediately answer dogmatic or ethical questions. Critical study of the New Testament – -- often represented as criticism of the New Testament – -- is, in fact, criticism of this (wrong) method of using it. But the right method is not something still waiting to be discovered; the right method is the method already laid down in the New Testament itself. The New Testament writings are one and all to be taken as sermons or proclamations – not in our situation and to us, but – -- in specific situations in the past and to persons in those situations. As such, they are not immediately practicable for us today.

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