I guess another way of putting my case is simply this: there's no way any God of mine could be like the Old Testament one. I see not a shred of morality in that guy. But that's okay - the God I have still remains. He still survives in the trust department. Sometimes the greatest danger for Christians is actually reading the Old Testament. It's what I did.

Sorry – my bad. True it is you didn’t say it. I said it. And that’s because I am. (Shocked that is). Thanks for your comments. And I of course go along with you to the extent that the conflict is sad. And it’s perhaps even sadder for the non-believer to see because if even the believers can’t get it together what hope for them? I’m sorry it made you feel further away from God. I think (at least this was how I read it) it was an attempt to explain all the difficult aspects of the Old Testament God in a way we could at least get to grips with. It tried to make him out to be just that little more human so we could feel a little more closer. And all that ... It seems to have done the opposite for you. For me the Old Testament God is already all too human. I need him to be a little more moral ...

Where is the mysterious Mr. Galli who started all this? Or is he hiding behind some false name in the blog? Come on Mark.... get on board ....or have you jumped ship? Ralph Gaily

Yes, I AM sad. (I'm not sure I said shocking agression. I've unfortunately seen worse in church circles.) I think it's ok to be sad about sad things though. It's sad when relationships are broken, when people are hurt or hurting one another. The conflict itself is, I think, going to happen because we ARE human and we don't know or understand everything. The conflict is not the sad thing, it's how we treat one another in the midst of it. I'm sad because reading this article hit me in a way that I felt less trusting (and therefore, farther away) from God. And because I can't sit down and have a conversation with the author to find out what he was really thinking and trying to communicate, I am just left with it. I'm sad because I go to church and read magazines such as this in hopes that I will learn how to relate with others in more loving, honest, healthy ways. And I'm not seeing alot of good examples of conflict resolution or restorative relating. With prayers for God's mercy.

Why no. But that’s said from your point of view. Others here very obviously beg to differ. And from my outsider’s perspective it all feels a bit of a mess. Division AND aggression. Christianity seems just a little too humanly sourced (emotionally) for me – too many Christians I come into contact with a little too angry. And I find that confusing. I have nothing against Paul – I never knew the guy. “Believe it or not, love is at the foundation of all this” Sorry to stress the point but family or not, no, I didn’t experience the love. Thanks for your comments though.