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. The hermeneutic employed by Rome places great emphasis on Matt, Mark, Luke and John (commonly & mistakenly called the "Gospels"). But, the actual "gospel" for us Gentiles begins at the cross (Eph2).

I'm curious about the use of the word "begin" in that context. Even without referring to the "Gospels" it would seem that for Paul, the good news begins in the incarnation and culminates in the resurrection. Hence:

Phil 2:7-8: but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, 8 he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a cross.

2 Corinthians 8:9: For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.

Romans 8:3-4 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do: by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and to deal with sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 so that the just requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

Galatians 4:4-6 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. 6 And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”

By the way, I read Ephesians 2 and didn't see anything that contradicts the passages included above. Also I did find this:

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Which would seem to suggest some "works" to do.

Now I get the dominoes reference Yes I should have figured that out. Actually I rather like gregorian chant because I find it quite beautifulo and moving, even if it were not also liturgical.

Ahhh, but you stopped reading in Eph. 2. "11 Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called " Uncircumcision" by the so-called "Circumcision," which is performed in the flesh by human hands - remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

When were you, as a Gentile, brought near? Altogether now...at the Cross, when the blood flowed.

Further, go check any credible Greek NT and you will notice that the first four accounts say, "According to Matthew", "According to Mark", According to Luke", "According to John". It is the publishers (likely some catholic character, just like the monk who broke all the books/letters into chapters and verses...again, not original) who added the "Gospel according to..."

This error sets many reader upon a trail they do not belong...they are reading someone else's mail. Just as you likely do not believe the Prophet Isaiah is writing to a Gentile, what made you think Matthew was writing to a Gentile? Paul says, "I am writing to Gentile believers as the apostle sent to the Gentiles." Well, now, that really is to us. Read from there on BEFORE you look back. Then go re-read the entire Book with Gentile eyes looking over the shoulders of the First Group...the Jews.