Thanks for your reply on the OT.
I’m certain you are aware of viewing the OT “through the New Testament.” And I believe Jesus did correct the Pharisee’s interpretation of the OT as regards one’s enemies and the innocent.
I see the reconciliation you skillfully outline as: “yes, Christianity is about the same God as Judaism.” But that does not necessarily entail exactly the same view as Judaism about God.
Of course, the messiah problem is ultimately a deal killer both ways.
However, I don’t believe it an orthodox Christian view of God as a genocidal killer. So, if that is the interpretation, somewhere, somehow, there *is* a distinction with a difference.
of course I do. The NT seems to have been written specifically to reinterpret the Old, so as to give divine authority to itself. I would have done the same ting if I were starting a new movement and wanted something to fall back on, especially if the audience had no clue about the Old one.
I see the reconciliation you skillfully outline as: “yes, Christianity is about the same God as Judaism.”
I said nothing of the kind. You must be quoting someone else. However, I did say that the Church maintains the Old Testament tells moral and spiritual truth (as seen through the prism of the New Testament). In other words, the slaughter of the innocent people, including David's bastard son, directed by the OT God is accepted as morally right.
Only the Christians claim that their God is the same God as that of Judaism. The Jews certainly don't! The same can be said of Mormons, who call themselves "Christians" yet their God is ontologically rather unrecognizable to Christianity. The fact that they, too, call on Jesus' name, and that's about the only commonality they have with Christians, density make them Christians. By LDS standards, the Gnostics are every bit as "Christian" as they are!
Of course, the messiah problem is ultimately a deal killer both ways.
There is no messiah problem in Judaism. As far as the Jews are concerned, he did NATO come yet. The OT tells them exactly what "qualifications" such a man must have, and they make sure to mention that, of about 13 of them, Jesus fulfilled only one, being Jewish!
However, I don’t believe it an orthodox Christian view of God as a genocidal killer
Oh? I suppose you see "Rights anger" in killing innocent children? or do you also believe the nosnense that David's son did not suffer, when the Bible says otherwise?
I honestly don't see much difference between that God and the deity the Muslim bow to.