RE: Leaving Christianity to Follow the Teachings of Jesus
There is so much to respond to in your thoughtful and intelligent statement that the responses might be a bit scattered as i respond to parts of it, but here goes:
'blindly taken along with a specific religious interpretation of it as the highest authority.'
i think i see your problem, well everyone's at some point: it is hard to come to the bible without bias's because everyone has had some form of opinion on it, and we have all had many conversations where we have shared those opinions, plus hollywood, telescreen and what lots of other influential artists, writers etc. have had to say on it.
'some parts are imperfect' - i'd say this could refer back to the previous, they might seem imperfect because of either our prejudices, bad translations or our own lack of understanding, but maybe this is because i come to the bible as if it really is God's 100% True Word to man, not wondering whether it is or any other approach, just i'm the student, man and He is the Creator and Father, and as i read His book i will learn what it is we're doing here and how He wants me to behave.
You sum it up this: 'I have the utmost respect for the scriptures' - this is how i read both testaments, but with bells on.
'according to the Bible, the word of God came to all the prophets, and to John' - this is mixed up. 2 Timothy 3:16 says 'all scripture is God-breathed' and Hosea 12:10 states 'I spoke to the prophets; it was I who multiplied visions, and through the prophets gave parables. '
but the logos talked about in john 1 is literally the word of God, ie - His plan for mankind, the earth and redemption: the gospel, in other words.
as you probably know, the gospel means good news, and the good news is that God has kept His promise, Jesus was resurrected from death because HE was perfectly obedient to God, as the prototype, mankind 2.0, or 'the son of man' for God's family of children, who will live on the new earth and under the new heavens, with Him. it is summed up really well in 1 corinthians 15:12-28 and revelation 21-22.
with peace & love & faith.