Great article. Not entirely sure, but the view of many intellectuals, Freemasons, "Last Temptation of Christ", some Jews etc is that Jesus is sort of the apex of Christian thought (tolerance, forgiveness, dynamic, against self-righteousness, usury etc, free-will almost Libertarian) and everything before/after a corruption. Rev. R Williams believed Old Testament foretold coming of Christ to reconcile old Jewish laws (like Leviticus, which REALLY needed reconciling) so O.T. inherently flawed (except for 10 commandments?). Paul portrayed as a kind of snake oil salesman in some circles, making Jesus into a kind of mass indoctrination guy (which he wasn't, and with help from Constantine/Council of Nicea marginalized women & others). Western Civ prof climbed down my throat for bringing this up in class once, but Paul was a corruption. Nietzsche, Herman Hesse are anathema in Christian circles, but they were right about many things, very misunderstood. I say "Do What Jesus Would Do" is the whole enchilada (if I do the right thing in tradition of Christ, then I don't have to worry about redemption or Pauline butt-sucking)