burning like matchsticks in the face of the darkness

I think the discrepancy between the OT and NT are more imagined than real. The prophets were constantly railing against abuse of the poor (which somehow doesn't seem to get mentioned often in churches) and there is the ongoing Marcion (I think) heresy which says that the god of the OT is a different and bad god. Jesus is very much a Hebrew person and much of his teachings mirror what Gameil (my speller is out of commission this morning) was teaching. Some of the teachings of the church on the difference between the NT and OT stem I believe from unconscious antisemitism and some from the hubris of "being right" and the Jews being wrong. The two scriptures can easily be read in harmony. A lot has to do with the interpretation that has come down to us which we assume reflects the texts, but often does not. Augustine for example was heavily influenced by Greek philosophy and so much of RC and Reformed theology reflects the Greek and not the Hebrew understanding of God. Impassivity is a Greek concept which is missing from the OT. God in the OT is constantly changing God's mind, influenced by human beings.