Third, the quoting of O.T. law out of it cultural home is unhelpful. While it may seem unclear to us, it was perfectly clear to them. And becomes clear to us with historical study.

I'm not sure what's "unclear" about Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death that would be clarified by more historical study on our part. Or are you saying that that is a bad rule -- in the sense that it would be bad for society if applied in the modern day -- and it's "unclear", becoming clearer later, why the ancient Palestinians had rules like that?

Peter