I didn’t try the old journal system, since I took a break before journals were added at all, but I agree that this current one has some flaws.

Like you mentioned not being able to get credit unless I do it in a certain order is really annoying, the best example of this is probably the dungeon delver-entry.
And you’re also right that spamming kills is the fastest way to level right now, unless you play with mods and farm boss bounty heads.