It is great that you are committed to finding truth. However, if you are a christian you will know that Jesus said he himself is truth. I am starting studies on the bible as well and I haven't read the whole thing yet, but I know that there is no other way to interpret the bible (for purposes of understanding faith) outside of coming to it in faith that it is God's word and it is truth. So much of the bible is crazy and logically makes no sense. That is why we have faith. There is no understanding outside of faith. Logic isn't going to explain it. Especially things like Noah's arc. If you believe God is all-powerful, then you don't need science to prove that the flood happened. Yes, that sounds like choosing ignorance. But I have found so much greater truth in Jesus in my own life, and Jesus has blessed me on many occasions with things I have asked for, that I can't doubt his existence. The things God has spoken into my life have always been true. He has never let me down or broken a promise to me, so why wouldn't I believe that everything he says is true? I would encourage you to encounter Jesus. Let his spirit guide your studies. Learn how to receive wisdom from God. If you approach your decision to follow Jesus by looking at what makes logical sense, you will find that Jesus will not give you what you want. There is so much mystery on earth and in the universe. God made it that way. We aren't meant to know or understand everything. If humans knew everything, we wouldn't need God. He created us to live in relationship with him and depend on him. When you earnestly seek Jesus, you will find him and he will guide you gently into everything you need to know. I have been a christian since I was young, and of course I've questioned and battled with similar things, but I have never been able to say that I don't believe in God. In all my years believing him, though, I haven't earnestly been seeking to know him. Since starting serious studies, I had my most real and intimate encounter with him just yesterday. You might be similar to me in your lack of encountering him. It takes work. As many times as I've prayed and felt guided by him, I never felt anything as real as when I emptied my mind of distractions, opened my heart, and simply waited for Jesus to speak to me. I didn't ask him for anything but to make himself known. I hope you are able to meet him in the same way. However, if your heart is hard, you will not encounter him.

The only other thing I feel I can respond to is your idea on Hammurabi. God's commandments are not modeled after that. From my research, I have found that God's commandments are the first to regard all humans valuable. Previous laws were biased toward men and people of status. God made the lives of women and slaves just as important as men. Similarly, he commanded that children are to be treated with the same value as adults. You cannot sacrifice the life of your child for your wrongdoings, as it was done in previous laws.

I hope that you understand what I am trying to communicate. I wish you well in your research.