Unless you have studied the Bible (I have a B. A. in Bible studies) you can’t possibly understand/judge what the OT is all about. Simply dismissing it because you don’t understand it or are judging it according to modern sensibilities creates a straw man that is easily destroyed. I urge you to look more deeply into this as the Church actually sees it not as anti-Catholic atheistic websites and books do.
Jesus did not teach in opposition to the Mosaic Law–he fulfilled the Law and taught that not the smallest part of the Law is to be tossed aside, or else! Hardly sounds like a man who rejected his own heritage.
As to Jesus sounding like the Buddha, there are bound to be some concepts in common between them simply because whatever is true is true no matter who teaches it. However, the Buddha’s ultimate goals were far different from those of Jesus Christ. Comparisons can only go so far between them before they break down and diverge completely.
A B.A. really only means you successfully learned what the accepted understanding of the instructors of the institution you received your degree from, taught you.
It means you have one particular academically accepted belief system regarding that subject. In and of itself, the degree means nothing more.
The “straw man” comment can just as easily be applied to many apologetic writings. I found most if not all the if/then arguments C.S. Lewis put forth in “Mere Christianity” to be very easily destroyed straw men.
To be fair, the collected radio talks Mr. Lewis gave that became “Mere Christianity” were not delivered to a spiritually educated non-Christian audience and only were intended to shore up the moral and faith of a basically Christian audience getting their faith beaten down by WWII.
In that light, it is quite effective - for the intended audience.
The problem you have, is that you do not look at the old testament objectively.
There is a pre-conceived interpretation given to you by the Church and most likely a similar one given to you by the academic institution you received your B.A. from.
Jesus was crucified because the authoritarian, “infallible” Jewish religious leaders of the time condemned Jesus as a blaspheming heretic.
You may point to Church spin on alleged quotes of Jesus, but circumstances of the crucifixion story clearly indicate Jesus was considered a severe threat to Judaism.
If you wish to truly understand the old testament, you will need to study it without the colored lenses you’ve used so far.
Examine it the way you would examine any other ancient mythology from any culture you don’t have a personal connection/bias with.
Modern Jewish writers are beginning to do just that, and their conclusions are pointing to Jews moving towards placing their own ancient mythology in the same category as the Scandinavians, Germans, Italians, Greeks, Egyptians, etc. long since have already done.
For starters, take a look at:
“Jewish History, Jewish Religion” & “Jewish Fundamentalism in Israel” by Israel Shahak
“The Bible Unearthed” by Israel Finkelstein
“When And How The Jewish People Was Invented” by Shlomo Sand
“Toward and Open Tomb” by Michel Warschawski
Also, some writings by non-Jews:
“Testament” by John Romer
“The Mythic Past” by Thomas L. Thompson
“A history of God” & “Jerusalem: one city, three faiths” by Karen Armstrong
(I’ll mention most of these writers have a Ph.D, since that credential appears to be meaningful to you.)
