@Tumah, I have now read all 4 Gospels and I have several points regarding this discussion. Please note, I'm typing from my phone, so, please forgive the lack of quotes from previous posts in the thread.
@viole and
@oldbadger , you both were asking {paraphrasing} "How would a person differentiate between G-d and Satan in the story told in the Christian Gospels?"
Well, the Gospels are an example of what a Jewish person shouldn't do. The best examples are when they encourage a person to violate the 10 commandments. In John chapter 2 (and elsewhere) the reader is told to worship Father and Son. This violates the commandment prohibiting worship of Other Gods. Also in Mark chapter 3, the reader is encouraged to dishonor their birth parents. This is a violation of the commandment to honor them. After having read all four Gospels, and it is clear to me that if the story is true, it describes a plot to lead people astray.
@KenS and
@Eyes to See , you both were discussing a "lack of belief" as the problem inherent in Jewish people past and present. The claim was {paraphrasing}: "The Jewish nation saw the plagues and the miracles in the desert in the exodus story, but still did not believe or have faith... they're a very stubborn people".
My friends, you have this completely backwards. If you look at Deuteronomy chapter 32, you'll see that the problem of the Jewish people who sinned in the desert was not lack of belief, it was too much belief. Moses was rebuking them for following other/strange gods. This rebuke is repeated over and over in the later scriptures. This is the opposite of a lack of belief. A healthy dose of skepticism would have prevented people from worshipping a golden calf or any other idol. Worshipping an idol is the result of unhealthy faith, too much belief. Not too little.
@Estro Felino, Viole gave an example of unconditional mercy for immigrants into a country, and if I understood, you claimed this was equivalent to what was being offered to readers in the Christian Gospels. I respectfully disagree.
What I see in the Gospels is someone offering salvation and absolution on condition that their prayers get rerouted through a third party. It's not unconditional at all. If it were, everyone would be saved not just those who become disciples.
Please consider how it would feel if you or someone you loved was sick when the NT was compiled. There's no modern medicine, and you are offered freedom from this disease on one condition: worship Father+Son, both. The temptation would be overwhelming for many. It's cruel to use death and disease or health and eternal life as a tool like this. That's why universal health care has been adopted by so many modern countries. The Gospels do not offer health unconditionally. It comes with a price.
However, I do agree with what you and
@PureX were saying that what people chose to do is more important than the doctrines in the text. And if Father+Son=God to you in your heart, then these two ideals together are common ground for developing and maintaining peace and understanding between Judaism and Believers in Christ.
Sincerely,