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i too would like to see society move forward, just as jesus christ moved us from the law of the old testament to the "love thy neighbor as thyself" of the new testament.

Most 'Christians' do not know (because they never bothered to study) that the so-called 'New Testament' contains NOTHING original at its core level. It is all simply more detail. For instance, the 'Love your Neighbor' of Matthew 22 (the first and second greatest commandments) is found NOT in the 'New Testament' first - it is found in Leviticus. 'Love your enemy' is NOT found in the 'New Testament' first - it is found in Leviticus. 'Love the LORD your God' is NOT found in the 'New Testament' first, it is found in Deuteronomy. The list goes on and on. 1/3 of the 'New Testament' is in fact quotes from the 'Old Testament' - ever wonder WHY?

There is a biblical principle that modern Evangelicals have abandoned, just as their Roman Catholic predecessors had - the biblical principle of priority. No biblical covenant EVER invalidates a previous one.

This concept is what gives us the foundation of what is actually considered Scripture. In other words, what is written AFTERward MUST, MUST, MUST always agree with what came before, or it is to be DISCARDED. Since the Bible is a book of progressive revelation they 'New Testament' CANNOT disagree with the 'Old Testament' - no matter how prettily you paint it, when you start using the MAN-MADE page between the two as your dividing line for authority you have missed the ENTIRE POINT. God is not man that He should change His mind.

Go read Deuteronomy 13 and Deuteronomy 18. You will soon discover that 'Jesus' could not have POSSIBLY over turned God's 'Law' or He would have been a FALSE PROPHET. If that had been the case, those 'Zealous for the Law' should have stoned Him. Go read Acts 21 and understand that nearly half of Jerusalem at that time were followers of Y'shua [Jesus] - and it says that they were ZEALOUS for the 'Law'. Apparently, they did not get the 'memo', huh?

Maimonides (aka RAMBAM), who lived in the 12th Century is one of the principle sages of Judaism. He is the one who finalized what is now known as the 13 Principles of Judaism. Maimonides was a scholar in every way, and wrote extensively about Messiah. The 12th Principle says,

I believe with perfect faith in the coming of the Messiah. How long it takes, I will await His coming every day.

What is ironic about Maimonides is that he clearly understood Scripture and the fact that Messiah would be a upholder of Torah [incorrectly translated 'Law'], not a destroyer. Since Maimonides heard all his 'Christian' friends and associates always tell him that 'Christ did away with the Law' - he knew that if this was true, 'Jesus' could not be the Messiah. He was wrong about the last conclusion - but his logic was entirely correct - he just shouldn't have taken his 'Christian' friends' word for the life that Y'shua [Jesus] lived. He should have focused more on how He lived, and what he SAID,

Don't think that I came to destroy the Torah or the Prophets. I didn't come to destroy, but to bring to full understanding. For most certainly, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not even one smallest letter or one tiny pen stroke shall in any way pass away from the Torah, until all things are accomplished. Whoever, therefore, shall break one of these least of these mitzvot [commandments], and teach others to do so, shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven; but whoever shall do and teach them shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. Matthew 5:17-18

There is a comprehensive Bible study series on this called 'Mattityahu: Matthew's Account' at www.bereansonline.org/studies. There are extensive study tools and audio lessons for free. The main web site is www.bereansonline.org/studies