" **The Good News is the Epistles' message of salvation, i.e., Christ died to save us, and we are free from sin and fear. That's it!"

"If you really mean 'that's it!,' I think that's a rather atypical reaction to the Bible."

Unless you're one of the many, many Protestant denominations that have formed entirely around this premise- and simply this premise- as the firm foundation which governs it's practice. The entire notion of "Saved by Grace" as stated by Luther is because of the Good News, that is, Christ died- we believe- we are saved.

Other denominations like Catholisism are mixed with acts (Works). Not as personified asterisks and footnotes by "Saved," but to solidify the Church. "By these works you will know us" strikes more literal to them than other denominations.

"Many Christians with whom I interact take away much, much more -- some cultural and social prescriptions (for example, no remarriage after divorce), some formulation of the consequences of non-belief (ie, Muslims, Hindus, Jews, Buddhists, atheists, and agnostics are tormented for an aeonios period of time after their death), and some general philosophical points (some categories of human being ought to suffer).

Do you have an opinion on those points? Do you honestly believe that the Bible does not have an implied message on those points, and that if you read the Bible and assume that it is God's word, that you will find nothing to inform your opinion on divorce, or the consequences of non-belief, or the necessity of punishment? I realize that there are universalist churches which preach the gospel, minus the punishment. I realize that there are plenty of churches who will remarry divorced people. I applaud them for it. But I don't quite follow their theological reasoning."

So the variance you've pretty much described here shows the abundance of thought, belief, and transposition to daily living that I'm talking about. And that's just the Christians you interact with. Think of all the other variance, and not just with Christians. The theological reasoning behind the reluctance or willingness to perform a given act will also show to the same effect.

" ** I don't understand what you mean by "Christian narrative story."

"Humans are born into sin. Sin demands punishment. Ergo, someone must suffer."

There is no official title or term called "The Christian Narrative Story" was my point. For me and many other Christians, the Good News plays in this scenario of yours. Namely- the third portion is not possible. No one "must" suffer anything, ergo, the "Good News." And that's pretty good news.