(September 22, 2015 at 8:23 pm)Aractus Wrote: One of the problems with the Abrahamic god is that he doesn't do anything, despite what the Bible says he should be doing.
Perhaps of even greater concern is that he breaks all of the sacred covenants he makes with us anyway ...
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... 'Son of Man' would have come by then.
This is a very wide ranging post. Perhaps I could focus a reply on the nature of covenant (berith), from a non-literalist POV.
The basis of the covenant was the set of promises to the patriarchs (e.g. Genesis 12,15,17,22) which combined responsibility and blessing. Abraham's descendants would be the basis for a blessing to the world, but if (when! Dt 28-31) Israel failed, there would be exile. However after that exile there would be covenant renewal and forgiveness.
This concept of being a covenant people drove much of Jewish OT history. The idea was that they were responsible for undoing the problems caused by 'Adam'.
But rather like a repair truck sent to rescue a broken down car, that itself breaks down, Israel was unable to complete the task, as it suffered from the same problems that affected the rest of humanity. Jesus then sorts it out; as Israel's Messiah, he rescued Israel from it's plight. As Israel's representative, he completed Israel's covenant vocation, to rescue humanity. And as the truly human one, he re-established God's rule over the cosmos.
As such, the covenant was formally completed; indeed Paul writes a lot about God's covenant faithfulness. As well, he writes about the nature of the new covenant, as mentioned in the OT.
A lot of what you call 'covenant' is more of a description. I do think healing does take place, although I prefer to see it as a sight of the inauguration of God's Kingdom.
I hope this is helpful.
