Ttranslations and more
Not only are people dealing with translations from Hebrew and Aramaic into Greek and Latin and English, but also with the "massaging" of the texts to convey the message that the Church, over time, wanted its members to know using imagery that they would understand. In Greek and Roman mythology, one of the marks of a diety was being born to a virgin. Bingo Bango, guess why this factor was so important to the new church seeking converts from the followers of the many dieties that were worshipped in the Greek and Roman pantheon? None of the first four books of the New Testament was written at the time the events were happening, just as Genesis was not written as it happened.
Interesting side note: Why does Genesis, the first book in the Torah, begin with the creation story? Well, if you are a people who claim that your Deity gave you a certain land in the world, it carries a lot more weight if your Deity created the whole world so that your Deity has/had the authority to give what what belonged to your Deity by virtue of being the one who created it.
I am not trying to debunk any creed or belief that acknowledges that Love is the only thing that matters and the only eternal force in all of creation that can bridge the gap between the terrestrial and the celestial, between life on earth and eternal life. The exact middle of the five books of the Torah is the second clause of Leviticus 19:18, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord." This was the second part of the answer Jesus gave when asked what was the greatest commandment. The first part is the sentence recited in every Jewish worship service and one of the last things to be uttered on the death bed, "Hear O Israel, the Lord our G-d, the Lord is One." Then Jesus followed with, "And the second is like unto it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself." The answer to the question, "Who is my neighbor?" is in the parable of the Good Samaritan--not just your own people, but anyone who needs your help is your neighbor. When Rabbi Hillel was stopped by a Roman soldier who demanded with the point of his sword at Hillel's throat, "Jew tell me your whole Torah while standing on one foot," Hillel responded, "What is hateful to you, do not do to others. The rest is commentary; you must go and study it."
Finally, an 18th century Chasidic tale that is a pin for everyone's balloon:
The disciples of Rabbi Pinchas were talking with animation when their master entered the House of Study. Upon his arrival, they fell silent. He asked them; What were you talking about? They replied: We were discussing our fear that the inclination to do evil will persue us. He replied: You need not worry. You have not yet reached so high a plane. For the time being, you are still persuing it.