I'll agree to disagree, but I think this is more an issue of semantics than substance. I say "marketing Christianity to a larger population," while you say "making disciples of all nations". Sounds like the same thing to me. Also, please note that Acts comes after the Gospels, and recounts the activities of "early Christians," which is exactly what I was talking about.

I think most Christian scholars recognize that the question of bringing Christianity to the gentiles (or bringing the gentiles to Christianity) was an important topic, and was much discussed among the Apostles and later disciples. In my view, the decision to not require circumcision as a prerequisite to conversion can be both compassionate and good marketing. In reality, I suspect it was motivated more out of marketing considerations than compassion -- since the likely result of the other decision would be that gentiles would not convert, therefore considerations of compassion don't enter into it. [And I would remind you that "spin" is another new word for an old concept -- the early Christians were rather adept at it, too.]

At any rate, I'm glad we can discuss such sensitive topics without being unkind to each other. One hesitates to discuss religion in any forum, but so far this has been very pleasant -- thanks.