We must look at the old testament without an ethnocentric point of view. Culture, context, and language, must be taken into consideration. It's interesting to note that God alludes to Jesus' death hundreds of years before it actually takes place. God has created us with free will. God knew he would send his son to die. Would Abraham? God has tested those He has loved throughout the Bible.

Another example of this is when the Israelites were in the wilderness, and God sent a plague of serpents upon them. He told Moses to make a brass Serpent and lift it up on a pole. Those who looked up at the serpent were healed, those who refused died. They were not told to make a remedy because there was none to be made except the action of looking upon the serpent. Is this not the foreshadowing the crucifixion?

There is no remedy for our fallen nature, only one - look upon and trust Jesus as the sacrifice for our own sins.

Man will always ask why. The questions will never stop. If one question is actually sufficiently answered, another takes it's place. Christians don't know all the answers. What I do know is that Jesus and his teachings give me hope and peace. Love one another. Do good to one another. Judge not lest we be judged. Humans have successfully effed it up time and time again. But we must look upon Jesus and his teachings, not anyone else.

This gives me hope. I can sleep at night knowing that all things work together for good whether or not my life is going shitty or not. I have hope that when I die Jesus will step forward and say, "wait, I paid the price for this one, he is covered."

I know that everything I have done wrong has been forgiven. This makes me want to do good. To help others. Of course I will fall short as I still have a sinful nature.

But I have hope. And peace. And I pray that many on this forum can experience the same. I know many of you have experienced severe abuse by "Christians." It sickens me to read some of your painful stories. I too have a painful past but I cannot judge Jesus and his teachings by my father's actions or anybody else. They too are human and are fallible, fighting their own battles within.

That being said, it took a long time to get where I am today spiritually. Having a degree in Anthropology and going through medical school made me ask more questions about a Creator than anyone could ever have. But each person here has their own journey. If I can be a help in clearing up some questions I would be more than happy to share my humble perspective.