I don't want to jump ahead in my order of responses, but just want to comment on these two points you make.
Jesus didn't criticize Abraham or Moses, yet they both made sacrifices, and the Law, which Christians reject, was written by Moses (even though Christ never criticized him). Was Moses wrong?
The physical is of the flesh. The spiritual is of the spiritual
This seems to be the newly discovered "aha" phrase. God created man—body and soul. A human being is not human, as created, without one or the other. So, while the spirit (life) and the body (dirt) are separate, a human being needs both to be human, just as any living thing needs both to be what God intended it to be. A dead dog is not a pet.
If, as your example of John says (talk about basing everything on one verse in the Bible!), flesh counts for nothing, then why don't we just dump the bodies of the deceased like they are "nothing," instead of treating them as if they were still "something," or better yet, somebody?
Jesus didn't criticize Abraham or Moses, yet they both made sacrifices, and the Law, which Christians reject, was written by Moses (even though Christ never criticized him). Was Moses wrong?
Moses couldn't have been wrong since the Law he wrote down came directly from God. Abraham and Moses made sacrifices, but since they were righteous they knew that it was in obedience and not in exchange for salvation. And Christians should not reject the Law. The Ten Commandments, for example, are just as relevant today as when they were given. Not being "under the Law" does not mean wholesale rejection of it.
This seems to be the newly discovered "aha" phrase. God created man—body and soul. A human being is not human, as created, without one or the other. So, while the spirit (life) and the body (dirt) are separate, a human being needs both to be human, just as any living thing needs both to be what God intended it to be.
Sure, but what has this to do with salvation? Nothing. The Bible gives the formula for that, and it doesn't involve things of the flesh.
If, as your example of John says (talk about basing everything on one verse in the Bible!), flesh counts for nothing, then why don't we just dump the bodies of the deceased like they are "nothing," instead of treating them as if they were still "something," or better yet, somebody?
A body should be properly disposed of for public health reasons, but after that how they are treated is an emotional function of the people. Since becoming a Christian I have never had any special attachment to the bodies of departed ones. I even told my wife to get me a cheap casket if I go first since I certainly won't be able to "enjoy" a fancy one. :)